Many people have felt the discomfort of heartburn, but what exactly is acid reflux disease and how can someone find relief? Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs when acid and food in the stomach back up into the esophagus.GERD often occurs when the lower muscle (sphincter) of the esophagus does not close properly. The sphincter normally opens to let food into the stomach. It then closes to keep food and stomach acid in the stomach. If the sphincter does not close properly, stomach acid and food back up (reflux) into the esophagus.Today we have with us Dr. Juan Jose Blondet, bariatric and general surgeon with Allina Health United General Surgery clinic and United Bariatric and Weight Loss clinic to share the symptoms and treatment options for acid reflux.
