Q. Causes of gastro oesophageal reflux disease?

GERD may develop due to any of the following reasons:
• decreased muscle tone or abnormal relaxation of the LES,
• reduced stomach motility, allowing food to remain too long in the stomach (gastric stasis), where
• hiatus hernia.

Episodes of reflux are triggered or worsened by a variety of factors. Symptoms may be aggravated by chocolate, caffeine, alcohol and spicy foods, which stimulate acid secretion or by fatty foods, which delay stomach emptying. Gravity works against normal digestion and can promote reflux when the patient bends over or lies horizontally.