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.
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.
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.
