[Gastro-esophageal reflux disease. A review of pathogenesis, diagnosis and therapy]

Gastro-esophageal reflux disease is caused by peptic damage from gastric contents to the distal esophagus. The principal cause of reflux is a decrease in pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter, which normally separates the esophagus from the stomach. Various hormonal, pharmacological or toxic agents are capable of altering resting sphincter tone. Treatment of esophageal reflux disease is a rewarding task for the general practitioner. An algorithm on appropriate use of diagnostic and therapeutic resources is presented.