A basic awareness of what causes the condition known as acid reflux is very important to coming up with a strategy to deal with this painful and, frankly, unhealthy condition. Sufferers of acid reflux know all to well that the symptoms, mostly chest pain and sore throat, can bring about discomfort for hours or even days at a time. This pain results from gastric acids that flow back out of the stomach and into the esophagus. Acid reflux occurs more often in people that make poor diet and lifestyle choices.
Stomach acids back up into the esophagus when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) fails. The condition of the LES is perhaps the single most important factor that begins the series of events that leads to reflux troubles in the future. The upper gastrointestinal tract depends heavily on the proper flow of foods, liquids, and even mucus. The LES is a group of muscle fibers that surrounds the lower-most end of the esophagus where it joins the stomach. The muscle that makes up the LES is active most of the time, constricting and closing the opening to the stomach. This closing of the passage prevents reflux. During eating the LES muscle relaxes temporarily. As soon as the food makes its way into the stomach, the LES resumes its usual state and closes the opening. When properly functioning, the LES will maintain a tight seal most of the time to not allow backwash. A weak LES is often the most likely cause for regular acid reflux sufferers. It is important to mention that this condition can become progressive leading to the advanced form of the disease clinically known as gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Eating too many highly acidic foods like tomato sauces, yogurt and eggs, or high-fat, fried foods (especially fast food) will intensify the problem. Basically, when the stomach has to process an overabundance of acid some of it will back up into the esophagus. Other factors that create a predisposition for acid reflux include smoking, use of alcohol, food allergies, certain medications, and overeating because the stomach cannot contain the overproduction of acids. There is a clear correlation between being overweight and a notable increase in the occurrence of acid reflux. This is because the additional weight puts more pressure on the stomach and esophagus.
The good news in all of this is that we can take control of this situation simply by avoiding things that cause the reflux in the first place. In fact, in many instances of recurrent acid reflux, lifestyle changes can prevent heartburn from becoming a lifelong hardship. Remember to consult your doctor before starting any treatment strategy.
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