Weak Esophageal Sphincter
The food from the mouth passes through the esophagus before it reaches the stomach. The esophagus is a muscular tube running from the back of the mouth to the stomach’s entrance. It has a circular band of involuntary muscle at its lower end near the stomach, which opens to let the food in and closes after it has entered the stomach. The action prevents the stomach’s contents from traveling back to the esophagus. If the sphincter does not close correctly or is already weak, the stomach acid can travel back up the esophagus and irritate its lining. This condition is known as acid reflux, which can develop into gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), if the frequency of the acid reflux increases.
At the upper part of the esophagus is another sphincter, which prevents the air from entering the esophagus when a person breathes. Damage to the sphincter muscles can affect a person’s digestion, eating, and breathing. If the lower sphincter muscle is weak, it can allow food to go back up the esophagus. However, the food will stay within the esophagus if it fails to relax.
Dysphagia is a dysfunction in the upper esophageal sphincter, which makes swallowing food painful or difficult.
