Delayed gastric emptying

Failure of the stomach to empty in a timely manner (delayed gastric emptying), may contribute to GERD (backwashing of acid and bile into the esophagus) in some people. Some studies have shown that this may be due to an increase in stomach pressure which can then overcome the pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter (the valve at the bottom of the esophagus that keeps stomach contents out of the esophagus). Transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations (opening of the lower esophageal valve) also increase in frequency in response to gastric distention (stretching) and this allows more opportunity for stomach contents to backwash into the esophagus. Still other studies have not found that delayed gastric emptying plays a significant role in GERD in the majority of patients.