Acid reflux is a condition marked by increased acidity of the digestive tract especially affecting the oesophagus. This causes a digestive disorder called Acid Reflux Disease.

This is how it happens. There is a small valve just at the entrance of your stomach. It is called the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES). It is a ring of muscles that closes normally as food passes through it.

Source: Mayo Clinic Foundation

If the LES doesn't close all the way down or opens too much, acids produced by your stomach to digest food can move up to your oesophagus. This movement of acid to the oesophagus can cause a burning chest pain called "Heart Burn". If it happens more than twice a week, then you have the Reflux Acid Disease medically known as Gastroesophegeal Reflux Disease (GERD).

WHAT CAUSES ACID REFLUX DISEASE (GERD)

A very common cause of acid reflux disease is a stomach abnormality called Hiatal Hernia.

Hiatal Hernia is a digestive disorder where some part of the stomach bulges out of the hiatal opening and is found above the diaphragm. It is more common with pregnant women, obese people and people above 50 years.

Normally, the diaphragm helps keep acids inside our stomach but in a case of Hiatal Hernia, acid can move up to the oesophagus causing heart burn.



Some Common Risk Factors For Acid Reflux Disease includes;


1. Eating large meals or lying down right after a meal.
2. Being overweight or obese.
3. Eating a heavy meal and lying on your back or bending over at the waist.
4. Snacking close to bedtime.
5. Eating certain foods, such as citrus, tomato, chocolate, mint, garlic, onions, or spicy or fatty foods.
6. Drinking certain beverages, such as alcohol, carbonated drinks, coffee, or tea.
7. Smoking.
8. Being pregnant.
9. Taking aspirin, ibuprofen, certain muscle relaxers, or blood pressure medications.

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