Acid
reflux causes are complex and multifactorial.
Acid reflux disease, also known as gastro-esophageal reflux disease
(GERD)
, occurs
due to the coexistence of several medical and lifestyle
conditions. Physiological factors that trigger GERD
include lower esophageal sphincter (LES) hypotonia (the
gradual weakening of the LES), along with retrograde
flow of stomach contents into the esophagus, and the
level of sensitivity of the esophageal mucus to the
reflux content.
The food
that you swallow travels down your throat and is pushed
by contractions of the muscular esophagus. In the area
where the esophagus joins the stomach a valve-like
mechanism, known as lower esophageal sphincter (LES), is
located. The closure of this muscle prevents stomach
acid from backing up, or refluxing, into the esophagus.
What
causes Acid Reflux?
LES
malfunction
is the first factor that causes and
contributes to gastro-esophageal reflux disease. In a
healthy individual, the LES relaxes only when food
passes from the esophagus into the stomach. After the
food passes into the stomach, the valve shuts off,
keeping the stomach content and acid inside. However,
when the LES is weak and doesn't close properly, acid
can splash up into your throat causing painful burning
sensation, called heartburn.
There are
several factors/conditions, which can prevent the LES
from being closed properly. These factors/conditions
include genetic weakness, obesity and excessive fat
ingestion. In addition to that, all muscles in the human
body tend to sag as part of the ageing process,
including the LES.
The second
factor, or rather the group of factors that causes
gastro-esophageal reflux disease, are behavioral and
lifestyle related. As mentioned above, a weakened LES is
one of the direct physiological causes of acid reflux
disease. Various food ingredients, drugs and nervous
system processes can weaken this muscle, thus
contributing to GERD. Foods that may contribute to acid
reflux include orange juice, lemons and lemonade,
grapefruit juice, tomatoes and tomato juice, French
fries, sour cream, coffee and tea.
Treatment
of Acid Reflux.
There are numerous approaches for
treating symptomatic acid reflux. However, popular conventional treatments
, based
on prescription medication and over the counters, merely
treat the symptoms of chronic heartburn. These
treatments might not be effective enough to ensure
long-term prevention of acid reflux. Not only do
conventional treatments fail to heal and protect the
esophagus adequately, long-term use of prescription
drugs and over the counters, including certain antacids
can lead to a myriad of side effects ranging from
uncomfortable to dangerous.
Apart from
prescription medication, there is a wide selection of alternative remedies
, such as homeopathic remedies,
herbal remedies and complete holistic all natural
therapies, that tackle your acid reflux condition while
addressing the internal acid reflux
causes and fixing them rather that focusing on the
external related symptoms.
