What is the lower esophagus sphincter?
The lower esophagus sphincter (forest), also referred to as a heart sphincter or a gastroezyophageal sphincter, is a specialized muscles in the shape of a circle located on the esophagus base, which acts as a one -way valve between the esophagus and the stomach. Its primary function is to maintain the contents of the stomach from the esophagus and the trachea or trachea. The forest is made of smooth muscle tissue and its function is involuntary. The weakening of the lower esophagus may lead to a serious condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
At the top of the esophagus is the upper esophagus sphincter (UES), a valve that consists of striped muscle tissue and can be controlled. When the food is swallowed, the UES relaxes and swallowing food goes into the lower esophagus. Then the lower esophageal sphincter reacts to the contractions of the esophagus caused by swallowing and relaxation, allowing the swallowed food to pass into cardia, which is the largest part of the stomach. Immediately after completion of swallowing, the forest closes to ensure that the swallowed food remains in the stomach.
The lower esophageal sphincter is usually in its closed position. This prevents a mixture of stomach acid, digestive enzymes and bile, known as stomach juice, in the climb to the esophagus or wind. While the stomach is built to withstand high acidity of stomach juice, the esophagus is not. Its lining is slowly consumed by stomach acids, which sometimes leads to a feeling of pain in the chest and neck commonly referred to as heartburn or sour reflux.
Sometimes the lower esophageal sphincter opens and accidentally closes. These holes and closures are referred to as transient forest relaxation and are not unusual. One examples of temporary forest relaxation is steering: the air pressure in the stomach forces the lower esophageal valve to open and the air is released. During the spontaneous opening of the forest, symptoms of acid reflux may occur, but a healthy esophagus hardly works on the forcing of gastric acids back with contractions. Slivo in the esophagus helps reduce the damage to the liningthe esophagus.
The experience of acidic reflux twice a week or more is a symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease. GERD can lead to serious complications if it is not treated, such as ulceration, scarring that leads to tightening the esophagus and even esophageal cancer. The specific causes of GERD remain unknown, but weight loss and diet changes are often effective in treating the condition, as well as drugs such as antacides, histamine blockers and proton pump inhibitors. Heavy cases of GERD may require surgery on the lower esophagus.