One of the stomach’s jobs is to make acid; it helps us digest our food.
The stomach lining is specially designed to resist damage from this acid, but the esophagus, the food tube which extends from the back of the mouth to the stomach, is very sensitive to acid. Typically acid and stomach content do not flow back into the esophagus. However, we have all experienced the sensation of "reflux." Stomach content may flow back into the esophagus when we bend over, row a boat, lie down, or try to walk on our hands---any activity that puts pressure on the stomach or moves the esophagus to a position that is lower than the stomach. It’s normal for everyone to experience reflux on occasion.

Refluxing is abnormal when it happens frequently, causes damage to our bodies, and interferes with our daily life. That’s when we call it a disease, specifically, Gastro esophageal Reflux Disease, or GERD. Aside from the discomfort of frequent heartburn, GERD may contribute to a large number of symptoms. Every day, people with GERD are mistakenly felt to have true heart disease, leading to unnecessary hospitalizations and expensive testing. Alternatively, people with true heart disease are often mistakenly diagnosed as having GERD.

With GERD, food and acid may spill into the windpipe and lungs, causing or worsening such pulmonary problems as asthma, bronchitis and pneumonia.

When the esophagus is irritated for long periods of time by acid reflux, it may form scar tissue and narrowing, producing a stricture, which makes it difficult to swallow food and even liquid. Some patients may experience more unusual symptoms such as throat pain, chronic cough or throat clearing, gagging, and sour taste in the mouth. Finally, we now know that chronic irritation of the esophagus can, in extreme cases, lead to a particularly ominous type of cancer at the area where the stomach and esophagus meet.

GERDcan be aggravated by a number of factors, including alcohol, tobacco, medications containing aspirin, and obesity. Obviously, anything that puts pressure on the abdomen, like tight belts or girdles, can worsen the problem. Lastly, gravity can work against us. When we lie down to sleep or particularly lie down after eating, bend over, swim, etc., we are making it easier for food and acid to come back into the esophagus and throat. This is where the Bedge is so helpful.

Esophagus: A muscular tube, moving food from the mouth to the stomach. It is highly sensitive to acid and is the source of heartburn pain.

Diaphragm: The flat muscle separating the chest and lungs from the abdomen. A hole, or hiatus, in the diaphragm allows passage of the esophagus into the stomach. When some of the stomach is pulled up through this hole, it's called a "hiatal hernia." This is not a cause of reflux and GERD by itself, but is associated with it. GERD

Sphincter: The Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES), is a specialized portion of the lower esophagus which typically stays closed, preventing the regurgitation of food and acid from the stomach into the esophagus. The LES opens when we swallow, allowing the passage of food and liquid into the stomach. Unfortunately, in persons with GERD, the LES may be lax, and not provide an adequate barrier to reflux.GERD

Stomach: The site of acid production, the stomach is generally resistant to acid irritation. Food is stored, ground up, and partially digested here.GERD

Pylorus: The small channel between the stomach and the small intestine.

Duodenum: The first portion of the small intestine. Bile and pancreatic juices here help neutralize stomach acidity before the food passes further into the intestinal tract.