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... Acid Reflux Relief The first choice for acid reflux relief is usually an antacid or a proton pump inhibitor. The first neutralizes excess stomach acid, while the second prevents the stomach from producing excess stomach acid. But, some people look for alternative medicine and acid reflux relief. And, in fact, for long term acid reflux relief, a complete treatment plan which includes dietary and lifestyle changes may be the most effective. When looking for alternative medicine and acid reflux relief, you may find references to herbal and botanicals and some people find that these are effective. Herbal remedies for acid reflux may include chamomile, meadowsweet, slippery elm, cancer bush, fennel, catnip, angelica root, gentian root, ginger root or other botanicals. Slippery elm was used historically by native peoples to treat stomach upset, diarrhea, constipation, heartburn and other digestive complaints. Fennel and gingerroot were also common “folk remedies” for the relief of indigestion. Modern herbalists have found that a combination of several of the herbs that had been used for indigestion could be effective for acid reflux relief. Alternative medicine and acid reflux relief usually includes recommendations for lifestyle changes. Tobacco use relaxes the sphincter muscles that prevent stomach acid from coming back up into the esophagus. It also dries out saliva in the mouth and throat which would normally neutralize some of the stomach acid and also begins the digestive process. Stop using tobacco products and you may find acid reflux relief. Other alternative medicine and acid reflux treatment plans may include changes in eating habits. Eating large meals can cause stomach acid to leak back up into the esophagus. Eating smaller meals more frequently has provide acid...