When we eat, food travels from the mouth to the stomach 역류성 식도염 through a tube called the esophagus. A small muscle at the bottom of the esophagus, known as the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), opens to let food in and closes to prevent stomach contents from flowing back up. However, in people with acid reflux, this muscle doesn’t function properly, causing stomach acid to flow back up into the esophagus, leading to irritation and discomfort.
Acid reflux can be an occasional nuisance or a chronic problem that significantly disrupts daily life. When it occurs more than twice a week, it may indicate GERD, a more serious form of reflux.