Martin Huorka
Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a malady caused by pathological gastroesophageal reflux. In a typical case the most
frequent endoscopic manifestation of the disease is reflux oesophagitis with erosions. The origin of the reflux disease
and symptomatology is determined by the aggressive and protective factors balance. One of the aggressive factors is
the gastroesophageal reflux in which a crucial role is played by the hydrochloric acid. On the other hand, the protective
factors include antireflux barriers, luminal clearance and tissue resistance. At present, the transient relaxation of
the lower oesophageal sphincter is deemed the major cause of refluxate penetration into the oesophagus. Treatment
is limited to reducing damage caused by the gastro-oesophageal reflux, specifically by the hydrochloric acid. Traditional
therapy uses mostly anti-secretion drugs; the most effective are proton pump inhibitors. In the indicated cases prokinetics
are administered.