Sports Plus Online

Acid Reflux : What Causes Acid Reflux

Below are a few of the most well known acid reflux causes.

Anyone who eats a large amount of acidic foods can have mild and temporary acid reflux. This is particularly true when bending over, lifting, or taking a nap after eating a large meal high in acidic and fatty, foods. Persistent Acid Reflux,however, may be caused by various conditions, including abnormal biologic or structural factors.

Acid Reflux Is Also Called Heartburn or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)

If you suffer from acid reflux periodically, and many do you can can usually find some help at the local drugstore to minimize the Some studies suggest that most people with acid reflux symptoms such as hoarseness, chronic cough, or the feeling of having a lump in the throat have specific abnormalities in the esophagus. Such abnormalities may be present in 73% of patients who had atypical symptoms.

Motility Abnormalities

Problems in natural muscle action (peristalsis) in the esophagus commonly occur with acid reflux, although it is not clear if such occurrences are a cause or result of long-term effects of acid reflux.

Abnormal nerve and muscle function may contribute to acid reflux

Research show that about half of acid reflux patients have abnormal nerve or muscle function in the stomach. These defects cause impaired motility, which is the inability of muscles to act instinctively. The stomach muscles do not contract normally, which causes delays in stomach emptying, increasing the risk for acid back up.

Hiatal Hernia may contribute to acid reflux causes also

Your hiatus is a small hole in the diaphragm which the esophagus goes through and into your stomach. It usually fits very securely, but it may become weak and enlarge. If this happens, part of the stomach muscles may jut into it producing a condition called hiatal hernia. It is very common, occurring in about half of people over 60 years of age and is rarely serious. Until recent years, it was believed that the majority of cases of persistent acid reflux were caused by a hiatal hernia. Hiatal hernia may impair the LES muscle function (see below). Studies have failed to confirm this evidence, that it is a frequent cause of acid reflux, although its presence may increase the symptoms in people with both conditions.

A Malfunction of the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) Muscles

The band of muscle tissue called the (LES) is is what causes the closing and opening the lower part of the esophagus and is vital for maintaining a pressure barrier against contents from the stomach. It is a complex area of smooth muscles and various hormones. If it weakens and loses tone, the LES cannot close up completely after food empties into the stomach. In such cases, acid from the stomach backs up into the esophagus. Some dietary products, drugs, and nervous system issues can weaken it and impair its purpose.