Acid Reflux

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Author:
Dave Lavinsky

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.
About the Author
Acid Reflux Info provides comprehensive information on the cause, symptoms, treatment, and diet associated with normal and infant acid reflux. Acid Reflux Info is the sister site of Pain Relief Web.

A Quick Note From The Publisher... If you like the article above, you may be interested in the following article which is also related to Acid Reflux... Common Procedures in Acid Reflux Surgery Although acid reflux can be controlled through the means of medical treatments and appropriate diet, some people who suffer from severe forms of the condition may require acid reflux surgery. Acid reflux has a recidivating character and surgery is the best means of fully overcoming the condition. There are several medical procedures in acid reflux surgery and the most effective ones are Laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery, also known as Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication and Intraluminal Endoscopic surgery. These surgical procedures are both considered to be safe and patients usually recover quickly after the operation. Acid reflux (gastro-esophageal reflux disease) is a physiological condition that usually occurs due to inappropriate activity of the lower esophageal sphincter (muscular valve that connects the esophagus to the stomach), allowing the content of the stomach to reflux into the esophagus and throat. In normal conditions, the esophageal lower sphincter should be able to prevent the regurgitation of the stomach acids into the esophagus. The sphincter normally acts like a barrier between the stomach and the esophagus, sealing the walls of the esophagus in order to protect the organ from the digestive fluids produced by the stomach. However, due to abnormal pressure at the lower end of esophagus, weakness of the esophageal lower sphincter, abnormal positioning of the esophagus inside the body or inconstant muscular contractions of the sphincter, the digestive fluids produced by the stomach are allowed to enter into the esophagus and the throat. Acid reflux surgery can correct the actual causes of the condition, normalizing the activity of the lower esophageal sphincter and therefore preventing the access of gastric acids to the superior levels of the...