Acid reflux and heartburn have a variety of causes ranging from functional disorders of the stomach to poor diet and medications that affect the system. Acid reflux occurs when the contents of the stomach back up into the esophagus and even as far back as the throat and mouth, creating a host of unwanted symptoms, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Many cases of acid reflux can be controlled with lifestyle changes, medications and diet.
Diet
Many cases of heartburn and acid reflux are caused by poor diet, which takes its toll on the digestive system over time. Consuming large heavy meals, foods that are high in fat and spices, animal fats and alcohol can all contribute to the development of acid indigestion and reflux, according to Penn State's, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. In addition eating foods that do not combine well with one another and digest at different rates can cause putrefaction, with food remaining in the stomach partially digested for longer than it should.
Overweight and Eating Disorders
People who are overweight or who have eating disorders can inadvertently create problems with their digestive tracts, especially the lower esophageal sphincter or LES. The sphincter controls what goes into the stomach and acts as a one-way valve when it functions normally. In the case of acid reflux, the sphincter becomes weak and can open allowing food to back up into the esophagus. Individuals who are overweight or those with eating disorders can cause the LES to malfunction causing or aggravating acid reflux, according to Medline Plus.
Hiatal Hernia
For people who are obese, an addition condition may be causing their acid reflux. A hiatal hernia can form at the top of the stomach interfering with the lower esophageal sphincter, causing it to remain open and allowing acids and stomach digest to escape into the esophagus, according to the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.
Medications and Herbs
Various medications may cause the LES to become lax allowing acids to move back up into the esophagus, adds the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center Some of these medicines are pain killers and other narcotics that cause laxity in all bodily tissues and other are medications that have side effects causing upset stomach, leading to acid reflux. Drugs like prostaglandins, calcium channel blockers, morphine and tramadol, to name several, can create this effect.
Herbs such as peppermint and basil may have a similar effect as do the medicines, causing the LES to relax allowing stomach contents to leak into the esophagus.
Imbalances in Body pH
"The pH Miracle" explains how the body's pH can affect the workings of the digestive tract, either soothing it and keeping working normally; or wrecking havoc and creating unwanted symptoms. When the overall pH is kept as close to neutral as possible or just slightly alkaline, the body functions as it should, encouraging proper digestion of food and timely elimination.
References
- "The pH Miracle"; Dr. Robert O. Young and Shelley Redford Young; 2003
- Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center: Reflux
- MedLine Plus: Bulimia
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Gastroesophageal reflux disease and heartburn - Symptoms
