K21: Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease
K21.9: Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease without oesophagitis
The oesophagus or gullet connects the mouth with the stomach. It is a muscular tube. The muscles in the oesophagus move food into the stomach. The oesophagus is usually closed by a sphincter muscle at the junction to the stomach. This is meant to prevent the stomach contents and gastric acid being regurgitated into the oesophagus. Only during swallowing does the oesophagus briefly open its sphincter muscle to the stomach.
The sphincter muscle between your gullet and stomach is not properly tight. Due to the leaky closure, gastric acid from the stomach is sometimes being regurgitated into the gullet. That may get worse when you are lying down or doing physical exertion.
The inside of the gullet is lined with mucous membrane. The gastric acid attacks the mucous membrane of the gullet. The gullet can been inflamed by the gastric acid.
If a lot of gastric acid is being produced it can also make the symptoms worse. Certain foodstuffs favor the formation of more gastric acid. Foodstuffs include coffee and alcohol, for example. More gastric acid can also be formed as a result of smoking or stress.
Patient Disclaimer
The information provided on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not intended for self-diagnosis and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions or concerns about your health.
If you see an ICD diagnosis code (e.g., on a medical report), be aware that doctors may also include additional indicators to express diagnostic certainty. Only a healthcare professional can interpret these codes accurately in the context of your individual case.
For a complete understanding of your condition and what the diagnosis means for you, please speak directly with your doctor.