Title: Motility Problems - Drossman Gastroenterology, Chapel Hill, NC
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Content: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
The most common symptom that occurs in the esophagus is heartburn, which is caused when acid washes up into the esophagus repeatedly (gastroesophageal reflux) and irritates the lining of the esophagus. This happens when the sphincter separating the stomach from the esophagus does not work properly; the function of this sphincter is to prevent reflux from occurring when the stomach contracts. This can be due to a weak sphincter muscle, to too-frequent spontaneous relaxation of the sphincter, or to
hiatal hernia. Hiatal hernia means that the stomach pulls up into the chest above the sheet of muscle that separates the abdomen from the chest (this muscle sheet is called the diaphragm). A hiatal hernia weakens the sphincter. Gastroesophageal reflux disease may be diagnosed by an ambulatory pH study, which is a recording of the frequency with which acid washes up into the esophagus. It is done by putting a small, soft tube with one or two acid sensors on it down through your nose into your esophagus and connecting it to a battery-operated computer for 18-24 hours. You can go about your usual work and social activities during this test. Dysphagia
Dysphagia means ineffective swallowing.