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If you do not have a problem with acid reflux then LES is your friend and obedient servant. He serves you well. He is always attentive and does the right things at the right time. Like most of us, he only occasionally makes a mistake and that is on the odd occasions you put pressure on him.

If you have acid reflux, you would like to think he is your friend. At times, however, he is unpredictable but most frequently he does the wrong things when you do not want him to. Sometimes he can be so inefficient, you have to employ special agents to pick up the pieces after his destructive pattern of behaviour.

Yes, you want him to be your friend but sometimes you dislike his incompetence whether it is predictable or not. Sometimes his repetitive behaviour makes you suspect he has OCD.

LES, whether a friend or foe, is important to you. You cannot break off relations. He is fragile and the equilibrium in his life relies on the relationship he has with you. He gets hurt when you gain weight, have heavy meals, smoke and consume too much alcohol. When he is hurt, he is erratic and makes you know, the only way he can, by not doing his job properly.

Sometimes I think LES is your Health Guru but his carrot and stick attitude is a worry. He is happy when you are doing all the right things in your life. He loves you best when you eat less fat and stay slimmer.

Sometimes LES is completely incompetent. He cannot do anything right. He feels disabled. This is when he need you as his best friend.

Allow me to introduce you to LES. He is your Lower Esophageal Sphincter.

Dr. Phil Hariram

Acid Reflux.