New Research Suggests GERD Caused By Poor Muscle Tone
GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, is believed to affect as many as 35% of Americans. In most cases, people with GERD suffer from acid reflux or heartburn symptoms at least twice a week, which can lead to serious health complications over time. New research offers further insight into the cause and possible treatment of this widespread disease.
It has long been believed that acid reflux was caused by a weakening of the lower esophageal sphincter, or LES, the valve between the stomach and esophagus that is responsible for preventing stomach acid from flowing back into the esophagus. One of the most common treatments for GERD involves using proton pump inhibitors and other medications designed to reduce the amount of stomach acid the body produces, which leads to less reflux.
New research suggests muscle tone in the esophagus may also play a role in GERD. Researchers used molecular imaging to analyze the esophageal muscles in 49 GERD patients and believe that they discovered evidence that poor esophageal muscle tone may be one of the factors that determine if someone has mild, moderate, or severe GERD. If this theory can be confirmed with larger studies, scientists may start looking into medications that specifically address the muscle tone of the esophagus. These medications might help provide a more comprehensive treatment plan for GERD sufferers.