Though the root causes are often unclear, perhaps the most prevalent acid reflux cause is a poor diet. Acid reflux occurs during digestion, when the stomach churns up acid or refluxes it into the esophagus, causing a burning sensation in the chest or throat. So if you eat too many highly acidic foods like tomato sauces and/or fatty, fried foods, the stomach has to process an overabundance of acid. Too much acid can push back through a valve between the stomach and the esophagus called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Acid reflux culprits include but are not limited to tomato based sauces, fried and fatty foods, chocolate, alcohol, citrus fruits, peppers, and caffeinated beverages.
Along the same lines as diet, overeating also causes reflux. When you overeat, the stomach can’t keep up with the demand to process all the acids. So food gets backed up, and digestive acids infiltrate the esophageal valve to cause that unpleasant burning feeling centered in the chest.
Also diet-related, another acid reflux cause is being overweight. There is a clear correlation between being overweight and a notable increase in the occurrence of acid reflux. Many believe this is because the extra weight puts more pressure on the stomach and esophagus. This pressure has been known to open the lower esophageal sphincter (esophagus valve), when the valve should be closed. This allows acid to escape into the esophagus.
Other factors that create a predisposition for acid reflux include smoking, use of alcohol, food allergies, certain medications, and lying down after meals. As you can tell, most of these factors can be overcome by practicing some behavioral modifications. In fact, in many cases of recurrent acid reflux, lifestyle changes are all that is necessary in preventing heartburn from becoming a chronic disease. Remember to consult a physician before embarking on any treatment strategy.
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Infants and Acid Reflux
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Infant acid reflux is quite common. People of all ages, especially infants because they consume only liquids or soft foods, suffer from mild heartburn or acidic regurgitation on occasion. As in adult cases, infants experience acid reflux when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is relaxed....
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Heartburn is a burning pain starting from behind the breastbone and ribs and radiating upwards towards the throat. Basically, heartburn is caused by hydrochloric acid spilling upward into the esophagus from the stomach. The lining of the esophagus, unlike that of the stomach, is not...
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Heartburn has nothing to do with the heart or its systems. It is a common problem with the digestive system. When we swallow food, it travels down a tube called the esophagus, passes through a one-way valve known as the Lower Esophagus Sphincter (LES), and...
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Heartburn is a burning pain starting behind the breastbone and radiating upwards. The hydrochloric acid from the stomach leaks into the esophagus and causes heartburn. Occasional heartburn due to rich food or other lifestyle causes is classified as mild or episodic. Heartburn occurring twice or...
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Heartburn is the most prevalent complaint heard about the digestive system. When the hydrochloric acid from the stomach enters the esophagus – the food tube that connects the mouth with the stomach – it inflames and irritates the unprotected lining of the tube and causes...
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Over 60 million Americans suffer from heartburn. It is possibly the single most income-creating medical problem for the pharmaceutical companies. Heartburn is a burning pain starting behind the breastbone and spreading upwards. The stomach acid, backing up the wrong way from the stomach, enters the...
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