Acid Reflux Glossary

Abdomen
The belly, that part of the body that contains all of the structures between the chest and the pelvis.

Abdominal pain
Pain located in the abdomen, the part of the body that encompasses everything from the upper torso to the pelvis.

Acid indigestion
Excessive secretion of hydrochloric acid by the stomach cells.

Acid suppressors
Medicines that slow down the production of acid in the stomach.

Acid reflux
Acid in the stomach rises up into the esophagus.

Aloe Vera
Aloe vera detoxes the human body, as well as help heal the lesions and irritated tissue caused by acid reflux.

Antacid
A type of medication, usually available at the drug store without a prescription, which buffers, neutralizes, or absorbs acid in the stomach.

Asthma
A chronic lung condition characterized by difficulty breathing.

Barium swallow
An upper gastrointestinal series (barium swallow) is an X-ray test used to define the anatomy of the upper digestive tract.

Barrett's esophagus
A complication of severe chronic GERD (gastrointestinal reflux disease) involving changes in the cells of the tissue that line the bottom of the esophagus.

Cancer
An abnormal growth of cells which tend to proliferate in an uncontrolled way and, in some cases, to metastasize (spread).

Cough
A rapid expulsion of air from the lungs typically in order to clear the lung airways of fluids, mucus, or material. Also called tussis.

Digestive Enzymes
Digestive enzymes are secreted by various parts of the digestive system and pancreas. They help to break down components of food.

Diagnostic test
A test that helps health care professionals understand a condition and assess treatment. Diagnostic tests for GERD include barium swallow X ray, endoscopy, ambulatory pH monitoring, and manometry.

Dysphagia
Difficulty swallowing.

Endoscopy
A diagnostic test in which a small, flexible tube with a tiny camera is inserted through the mouth and down into the esophagus and stomach.

Esophageal stricture
Narrowing of the esophagus

Esophagitis
Inflammation of the lining of the esophagus.

Esophagus
The tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach.

Failure to thrive
When a infant's weight or rate of weight gain is significantly below other infants of similar age and sex.

Fundoplication
A surgical technique that strengthens the barrier to acid reflux when the lower esophageal sphincter does not work normally and there is gastro-esophageal reflux.

Gastric emptying study
Test used to diagnose reflux.

Gastric enzymes
Substances in the stomach and digestive system that break down food.

Gastric juice
A mixture produced by the cells of the stomach that contains hydrochloric acid and digestive enzymes.

Gastroenterologist
A physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, including the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, pancreas, liver, gallbladder, and biliary system.

Gastroesophageal
Pertaining to both the stomach and the esophagus , as in the gastroesophageal junction, the place where the esophagus connects to the stomach.

GERD
A digestive disorder caused by the acidic contents of the stomach regularly going up into the esophagus during or after a meal.

H2 receptor antagonist
A type of medication, available with or without a prescription, which reduces the amount of hydrochloric acid in the stomach thus raising the pH of the stomach.

Heart
The muscle that pumps blood received from veins into arteries throughout the body.

Heart attack
Permanent damage to the heart muscle caused by a lack of blood supply to the heart for an extended time period.

Heartburn
A burning or painful feeling in the middle of the chest caused by acid from the stomach backing up into the esophagus.

Hernia
A general term referring to a protrusion of a tissue through the wall of the cavity in which it is normally contained.

Hiatal hernia
An anatomical abnormality in which part of the stomach protrudes up through the diaphragm into the chest .

Homeopathy
A system of medical practice that treats disease by the administration of minute doses of a remedy that would in healthy humans, or animals produce symptoms of the disease treated.

Indigestion
Also known as dyspepsia, is a painful or burning feeling in the upper abdomen and is usually accompanied by nausea, bloating or gas, a feeling of fullness, and, sometimes, vomiting.

Laparoscopic antireflux surgery
A minimally-invasive procedure that corrects GERD by creating an improved valve mechanism at the bottom part of the esophagus.

Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR)
The backflow of the contents of the stomach into the esophagus and the upper airway.

Lower esophageal sphincter (LES)
The muscle between the stomach and the esophagus.

Mucous
The slippery fluid that your mouth, esophagus, and intestines make to help food move through more easily.

Nausea
A queasy feeling that leads to stomach distress, a distaste for food and an urge to vomit.

Odynophagia
When it hurts to swallow.

pH measurement (pHmetry)
A test that tells how much acid comes up from the stomach into the esophagus during a reflux incident.

Paraesophageal hernia
A type of hiatal hernia in which part of the stomach is pushed or squeezed upward through the diaphragm, moving it next to the lower esophagus

Peristalsis
A series of involuntary muscular contractions that form a wave-like motion to propel food through the esophagus to the stomach.

Prokinetic Agents
Medicines used to treat acid reflux which keep the contents of the stomach from reaching the esophagus by tightening the value between the stomach and the esophagus

Proton pump inhibitor
A type of medication, available with or without a prescription, which blocks stomach acid production.

Reflux
The backing up of stomach contents into the esophagus.

Regurgitation
A backflow of swallowed food or drink into the throat or mouth that can cause a sour taste or taste of vomit in the mouth.

Silent reflux
Reflux that causes asthma-like symptoms or chronic, recurrent respiratory symptoms, but not typical symptoms such as heartburn.

Sliding hernia
The most common type of hiatal hernia that occurs when the lower esophagus and the upper stomach slide into the chest cavity through an opening, or hiatus, in the diaphragm.

Stomach
A sac-like organ with muscular walls that holds, mixes, and grinds food.

Upper esophageal sphincter
The muscle at the upper portion of the esophagus, through which food enters.

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