GERD/ Acid Reflux could be due to wine, tequila, rum, whisky, brandy. Explained
In order to understand why wine and hard liquors ( Vodka, gin, baijiu, tequila, rum, whisky, brandy) may cause Acid reflux/ GERD/ laryngopharyngeal reflux we need to understand anatomy and physiology of the stomach. it lined by different kinds of cells: Parietal cells (will produce HCL), Chief cells secrete pepsin, G cells (will secrete gastrin) and Mucous cells secrete the alkaline mucous for shielding the epithelium from hydrochloric acid (HCL).
Two important rules of physiology:
1. Pylorus opens and lets food out of the stomach when adequate amount of HCL produced (pH of 2-3)
2. Both valves: pylorus and LES will stay closed when food is in the stomach for about 1hr 30 min. After that they become "tired" and weak and would let food and HCL go both directions: down and UP. Weakness of LES means food goes up and causes GERD.
Wine, vodka, gin, baijiu, tequila, rum, whisky, brandy will damage mucous, as a result, all cells of stomach will get exposed to damaging effect of alcohol, it will cause inflammation. Inflammation of the stomach means less HCL produced, means food will stay longer in the stomach and after 1hr 30 min may go up due to "tiredness" of LES. Its GERD!
Stay healthy
Dr. V Waks
