Esophageal contractions

Several research studies have shown that poor esophageal clearing of refluxed stomach contents (diminished or ineffective esophageal contractions that usually force acid back down into the stomach) is an important factor in causing  GERD symptoms and esophageal injury from acid. In people who have severe GERD (backwashing of acid and bile into the esophagus), including those with Barrett's esophagus, about half have weak esophageal contractions that fail to adequately clear the esophagus of refluxed acid. In this group, acid and other stomach juices are allowed to remain in the esophagus for a much longer period of time than in people without GERD or those with mild GERD. The result can be esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus caused by acid exposure) with injury to the esophageal squamous lining and, in some patients, the development of a new lining called Barrett's esophagus (specialized intestinal metaplasia) that increases the risk of developing esophageal cancer.