What is Reflux Disease?

When too much acid passes back (refluxes) from your stomach into the lower part of the oesophagus it causes heartburn.

In some cases this can inflame the lining of your gullet. This is known as oesophagitis and usually occurs because of a weakness in the muscle at the lower end of the gullet, which normally prevents stomach acid from refluxing into the oesophagus.

In the past, these problems were thought to be caused by a hiatus hernia. A hiatus hernia occurs when the upper part of the stomach pushes through the diaphragm into the chest. In fact, hiatus hernias are very common and are frequently found in people who have no symptoms whatsoever.

We also know that reflux can occur in people who do not have a hiatus hernia.