Acid Reflux – What Causes It?

Acid reflux is a common problem suffered by many people across the globe. It is also known as gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD). It causes a lot of discomfort to the individual such as feeling of heartburn, difficulty to eat, headaches, pain in the abdomen, burning sensation in the esophagus etc.

There are several causes for this condition to occur in the human body. Usually, this disease occurs when the liquid existing inside the stomach backs up inside the esophagus. This is a condition that tends to persist throughout the life of an individual. There are several other causes of heartburn.

A) Causes

a) Action of the LES

The action of the Lower Esophageal Sphincter or LES may be one of the primary causes of the acid reflux. The esophagus is connected to the stomach. A muscle ring surrounds the bottom of the esophagus right at the point where it meets the stomach.

Whenever one eats or drinks, the Lower Esophageal Sphincter lets the transfer of the food to the stomach. Thereafter, the muscle ring closes so that the food does not reflux. People having GERD have abnormal LES. It may show a weak contraction or to relaxed in order to facilitate reflux.

b) Hiatus Hernia

This can also be a major cause of acid reflux. However, this cannot be counted as a pre requisite. A hiatus hernia has the potential to disrupt the LES location. It is normally supposed to be in equilibrium with the diaphragm.

However, the hiatus hernia may push it up and this makes it lie in the chest. Since, the diaphragm is responsible in helping the LES to prevent reflux; this situation may create a severe problem. The reduced pressure makes hiatus hernia contribute to the reflux.

c) Hernial Sac

Acid reflux is commonly caused by a hiatus hernia due to the Hernial Sac. This sac is located near the esophagus. Acid gets trapped inside the sac. Since the sac is very closely located to the esophagus, it becomes easy to reflux when the LES relaxes.

d) Pressure in the abdomen

Excessive pressure at the level of the abdomen is a common physiological cause. The pressure tends to push stomach contents upwards inside the lining of the esophagus. Mostly pregnant women, obese and smokers suffer from this problem.

e) Medication

These are a common cause of acid reflux. Many synthetic drugs are capable of stimulating excessive production of gastric acid inside the stomach, thereby facilitating it to occur. Other medication may result in lower esophageal sphincter relaxation or reduction of the pressure at the esophageal level.

f) Diet

This is a major cause of acid heartburn. People consuming a lot of irritant or acidic foods contribute to the occurrence of acid reflux via facilitating overproduction of stomach acid and relaxation of esophageal valve. Indulging in certain bad eating habits can also result in the occurrence.

g) Smoking and alcohol consumption

Smoking and consuming alcohol can interfere with the normal muscular esophageal valve activity, thereby causing acid reflux to occur.

Other causes

a) Eating acidic foods

b) Having asthma or diabetes

c) Taking certain dietary supplements or antibiotics