4 Common Causes of Acid Reflux

4 Common Causes of Acid Reflux

Acid reflux or heartburn occurs when stomach acids travel back into the esophagus, irritating its lining. The symptoms can be mild, moderate, or severe, but it’s important to determine what causes acid reflux to administer proper treatment. This article lists a few common causes of the condition.

1. Obesity
Obesity is a major risk factor for numerous health conditions, and it can also contribute to acid reflux. Additionally, it heightens the risk of chronic acid reflux or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) and associated complications like Barrett’s esophagus. Abdominal, visceral obesity is particularly responsible for causing acid reflux.  Excess fat in the abdominal area increases the pressure on the stomach, causing the acids to flow back into the esophagus. Obesity-induced acid reflux can be managed by losing the excess pounds, and following a healthy diet and an active lifestyle is the best way to do this naturally.

2. Smoking cigarettes
Smoking cigarettes can severely damage the digestive system, and chewing tobacco or even inhaling second-hand smoke can trigger acid reflux. Smoking relaxes the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES), which is the group of muscles that separates the food pipe and the stomach to keep the acids contained in the stomach. The relaxation of the LES is what causes acid reflux in some people as it allows the stomach contents to flow backward.
Research states that quitting the habit can improve reflux. At times, smoking makes an individual susceptible to reflux by inducing cough.  People who smoke cigarettes tend to cough more than others, and coughing heightens the pressure in the belly, which causes acid reflux.

3. Fatty, greasy, and spicy foods
These foods are among the common causes of acid reflux and heartburn. Fatty and greasy foods are difficult to digest, which means the food remains in the stomach for longer. This increases the chances of acid reflux and heartburn.
Spicy foods irritate the already inflamed esophagus and the stomach, which can aggravate the existing symptoms. So, it’s best to limit the consumption of spicy foods if one is susceptible to acid reflux.

4. Alcohol
Excessive or even moderate alcohol consumption can be responsible for acid reflux in more ways than one. For instance, it relaxes the LES, which causes the stomach contents to be pushed back into the esophagus, inducing acid reflux and heartburn.
Additionally, alcoholic beverages like wine can increase the amount of acid in the stomach, acting as fuel to the fire and worsening the condition. Alcohol also damages the cells in the lining of the esophagus, which may leave an individual susceptible to more damage from the stomach acids.

Determining what causes acid reflux can help treat the condition effectively. If the condition is caused by dietary habits, one can incorporate appropriate changes to manage the symptoms and prevent flare-ups.