Understanding the Damage
How Acid Destroys Esophageal Tissue
Your esophagus is a muscular tube lined with delicate tissue designed to safely move food to your stomach. Unlike your stomach, which produces hydrochloric acid and has a protective mucus layer, your esophagus is defenseless against acid.
When you have gastroesophageal reflux, stomach acid repeatedly backflows into the esophagus, causing direct chemical burns to the lining called the mucosa. Each exposure damages the protective barrier and triggers inflammation. This inflammation further weakens the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) - the valve that's supposed to keep acid down - creating a vicious cycle.
Over time, chronic acid exposure doesn't just cause discomfort. It can cause Barrett's esophagus - a precancerous condition where the normal squamous cells lining your esophagus are replaced by columnar cells similar to stomach tissue. About 5% of people with Barrett's progress to esophageal cancer.
"Without healing, chronic GERD turns a manageable condition into a serious disease."
The standard approach - PPIs and antacids - manages acid production but doesn't heal the damaged tissue. This is where peptide therapy offers a fundamentally different approach: actual tissue regeneration and repair.