5 Esophageal Disorders Everyone Should Know About

Esophageal disorders affect the muscular tube that carries food and liquids from your mouth to the stomach called the esophagus. There are a few common disorders that can affect how well the esophagus can do its job—luckily many of these esophageal disorders are easily treated with the right reflux doctors. We’ll discuss five common esophageal disorders that everyone should be aware of.

1. Acid Reflux

Acid reflux affects around 60 million Americans every month, and nearly 25 million people every day. While sporadic acid reflux is no cause for concern, chronic acid reflux can cause additional issues and should be treated.

2. GERD 

Gastroesophageal reflux disorder is the most common esophageal disorder affecting the lower esophageal sphincter(LES), which is the ring of muscle between your esophagus and your stomach that opens and closes to allow food and liquid to pass through. GERD is characterized by chronic acid reflux. Other symptoms of GERD include heartburn, difficulty swallowing, regurgitation, bloating, coughing, and hoarseness. 

3. Achalasia 

Achalasia is another esophageal disorder that prevents the esophagus from emptying properly due to nerve damage in the esophagus. This causes the esophagus to lose its ability to push, and the valve at the lower esophageal sphincter to not relax properly. Achalasia is often considered the opposite condition of GERD. While patients with GERD suffer from a weakened lower esophageal sphincter, patients with Achalasia have an overly tight lower esophageal sphincter. 

 4. Hiatal Hernia

A hiatal hernia occurs when part of the upper stomach bulges through an opening in the diaphragm called the hiatus. There are two main types of hiatal hernias: sliding and paraesophageal. A sliding hernia occurs when the stomach and the part of the esophagus slide into the chest through the hiatus. In a paraesophageal hernia, the esophagus and stomach remain in their normal places, but a small section of the stomach squeezes through the hiatus and moves next to the esophagus. Paraesophageal hernias are less common and more dangerous. Hiatal hernias are extremely common in patients with GERD. 

5. Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Disease (LPR)

Laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPR) is a condition in which stomach acid rises through the esophagus into the back of the throat, causing irritation in the vocal cords and lungs. LPR describes the irritation that results from recurrent reflux. Laryngopharyngeal reflux is often referred to as silent reflux because don’t present any symptoms. 

Knowledge is power! Understanding these four common esophageal disorders will help you to better identify symptoms and seek out esophageal disorder treatment from a specialist. If you need esophageal disorder treatment in Tampa, call the reflux doctors at Tampa Bay Reflux Center today.