What is Reflux?
The word reflux means to flow back or return; ‘gastro’ is a term related to the stomach; and ‘oesophageal’ relates to the oesophagus (food pipe). Following this, the term ‘gastro-oesophageal reflux’ is where stomach contents (comprising food and stomach acid) flow back into the oesophagus.
Gastro-oesophageal reflux can range in severity from being an occasional nuisance, to being severe and debilitating; it can also improve or worsen for a variety of reasons, with a child having good or bad days or weeks.
