Word parts
What it means
Normally a ring of muscle at the bottom of the esophagus keeps stomach contents down. When it relaxes at the wrong time, food and acid flow back up. Some reflux is normal, and spitting up is very common in healthy babies. When reflux happens often or causes damage or troublesome symptoms such as heartburn, it is called gastroesophageal reflux diseasegas-troh-ih-sof-uh-JEE-ul REE-fluks dih-ZEEZA long-term condition in which stomach contents, including acid, flow back up into the esophagus.gastr/o stomachesophag/o esophagus-al relating toFull entry (GERD).
For the nurse
Teach small meals, staying upright for 2 to 3 hours after eating, and raising the head of the bed. For infants, teach burping during feeds and placing the baby on the back to sleep.
At a glance
| Spanish | reflujo gastroesofágico |
|---|---|
| Also written | GER, gastroesophageal-reflux |
Related terms
esophagus
The muscular tube that carries food and liquid from the throat to the stomach.
gastroesophageal reflux disease
A long-term condition in which stomach contents, including acid, flow back up into the esophagus.
gastr/o
A word part that means stomach.