The effects of acid reflux on the equilibrium (homeostasis) of the human digestive system vary according to the extent the disease attacks the esophagus. Located in the upper digestive tract of the body, the esophagus tube carries ingested food and liquids from the mouth to the stomach (nih.gov 2013). The physiological effects of acid reflux disease on the digestive system affect its homeostasis by irritating the esophagus causing different symptoms.
When acid reflux disease (GERD) occurs the muscle at the end of the esophagus fails to close properly allowing leakage of the contents of the stomach backing up into the esophagus thus, this action is the reflux. The irritation caused by GERD disrupts the digestive system in different ways depending on how bad the leakage occurs. Symptoms of GERD vary (nlm.nih.com 2013).
Some people experience the taste of stomach fluid just at the back of the mouth by the throat entrance. The extent of this symptom of GERD may result in experiencing burning in either the chest or the throat, or both resulting in heartburn. This symptom causes a painful burning sensation, as already stated in either throat or chest, or both. The fluid backing up from the stomach into the esophagus is acid produced in the stomach. This acid is highly potent in order to break down ingested food and drink as part of the digestive system process (CDC 2013; Boneva, Lin, Maloney, Jones and Reeves 11).
Occasional heartburn happens in most people results from a variety of causes and does not necessarily mean that GERD is the perpetrator. Pregnancy, certain food or drink, and certain medications (Boneva, Lin, Maloney, Jones and Reeves 11) may not agree with an individual's particular digestive system thus disrupting its homeostasis. When GERD is the culprit then the individual experiences this heartburn or acid reflux on a regular basis. When this occurs for more than twice in a week consulting with a doctor is the best action according to health professionals (nlm.nih.com 2013; CDC 2013; nih.gov 2013).
Symptoms of GERD do not necessarily produce heartburn. These symptoms may be a number of things including asthmatic symptoms, a dry cough, and even difficulty swallowing. These are the types of symptoms causing physiological disruptions of the body's homeostasis showing effects on the respiratory as well. The GERDS disease may affect anyone including children and infants (nlm.nih.com 2013; CDC 2013; nih.gov 2013).
The disruption of the body's homeostasis by GERDS on the digestive system and the respiratory in turn affects other areas of the body's well-being and therefore, not only can the body's digestive system experience discomfort but other parts as well. When one part of the body's multitudes of systems experience disruption then it is like dominos and other areas of the body become disrupted (nlm.nih.com 2013; CDC 2013; nih.gov 2013).
When doctors diagnose adult-onset asthma the will typically, investigate if GERDS is the cause because of the onset of the adult related asthmas. This is symptomatic of GERDS. When doctors find adult asthma does not respond to standard asthma medications, this is a diagnostic clue that GERDS may be the cause. When adult asthma symptoms worsen after eating, or exercise, lying down, or at night, these are other symptoms of the disruption of the body's homeostasis (MedMD.com 2013)
The disruption of the respiratory system causing asthma because of GERDS happens because when stomach acid escapes through the muscular ring found at the bottom of the digestive tract esophagus opening or lower esophageal sphincter relaxing GERD causing upset in the respiratory system. The asthma possibly occurs from GERD because of irritation to the body's airways to the lungs and the lungs by the acid reflux. This in turn, makes breathing difficult. Other issues of the GERD affecting the respiratory result in people becoming sensitive to external conditions such as cigarette smoke, cold air, and air pollution. Untreated, this can lead to the condition called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The acid reflux may also affect triggering nerves disrupting the respiratory airways narrowing them (MedMD.com 2013).
The onset of GERDS may only require an over the counter antacid but nonetheless when GERDS happens more than twice a week the individual visiting a doctor may get advice to stop eating and drinking particular things because these could very well be the underlying cause of the GERDS. Without consulting a doctor for prognosis and treatment with prescribed medications to see if this puts the reflux in control, prolonged stomach acid in the throat and esophagus can lead to surgery and removal of parts of the digestive system ((nlm.nih.com 2013; CDC 2013; nih.gov 2013).
In conclusion, as posited in the introduction, the physiological effects of acid reflux disease on the digestive system affect its homeostasis by irritating the esophagus causing different symptoms. In turn, other repercussions affecting the homeostasis of other bodily systems such as the respiratory are under attack under certain conditions as already described. As already mentioned, when the homeostasis of any of the body's numerous systems comes under attack by disease (as in the case of GERD) the likelihood of other systems also coming under stress and disruption is highly likely when the disease goes unchecked with medical care.
Works Cited
Boneva, Roumiana S., Lin, Jin-Mann S., Maloney, Elizabeth M., Jones, James F. and William Reeves. Use of Medications by People with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Healthy Persons: A Population-based Study of Fatiguing Illness in Georgia. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes 2009, 7:67
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 2013 Web
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services: National Institutes of Health (NIH) 2013 Web
U.S. National Library of Medicine: National Institutes of Health (NIH) 2013 Web=
