Acid reflux can cause substantial discomfort. Chronic acid reflux may be attributed to a disease called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Reflux can occur at any time and for a number of reasons. When trying to determine the cause, it is best to keep a food log and note your discomfort. Specific items in the diet are often to blame for acid reflux but other physical factors can also create the ailment. Improving your overall health can prevent and decrease the occurrence of acid reflux.
Weakened Flap
After food is swallowed it passes through a flap that normally prevents food and materials from coming back up the throat. This flap is called the esophageal sphincter. When this becomes weakened it may allow food and acid to return to the throat or mouth area. Acid traveling back up the esophagus causes the discomfort in the chest. GERD differs from acid reflux in that the flap is chronically weakened. If GERD is the diagnosis, surgery to repair the esophageal sphincter may be the best method of treatment.
Diet
Keep track of any food or liquid that you consume to identify the trigger for your acid reflux. Spicy or strong foods and drinks have a higher likelihood of activating the reflux. Watch for reflux if you eat chocolate, foods high in fat, black pepper, any hot spices or peppers, tomatoes or fried food. Alcohol and caffeinated drinks can also increase acid reflux. Limit these foods to decrease acid production that may force the esophageal flap open.
After Meal Habits
Avoid lying down after a meal. Bending over after eating can also bring acids back up. Wait to participate in vigorous activity until after your food has settled. Eating right before bed is likely to cause acid reflux. You may not notice the symptoms of burning while you sleep. If you have a chronic sore throat in the morning and suffer from hoarseness during the day, you may have acid reflux while you sleep. Have your last meal or drink at least two hours before bed to limit the occurrence of nighttime reflux.
Overeating
Consuming too much food can lead to acid reflux. When the stomach is already full there may be food waiting to be digested. Overeating like this can force acid and food back into the throat and mouth area. To decrease reflux, do not eat until you feel full. Instead, monitor your serving size and stop eating before your stomach cannot handle anything more. Lose weight if you are not already at a healthy weight. Ensure your clothing is not too tight around your stomach. Both of these factors can lead to pressure on the esophagus that forces acid back up.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy is not an actual cause of acid reflux but it is common to have reflux while pregnant. The reason acid reflux occurs in pregnancy is often due to the same reasons as overeating. The stomach may not have enough room to process food quickly enough. The baby or placenta may be resting on the digestive tract, pushing acid back up. Gaining even a healthy amount of weight during pregnancy can still tax the body and increase reflux. While sleeping, elevate your head to limit the amount of acid that comes back into the throat and mouth area. If you suffer from reflux, check with your doctor on the best course of treatment during pregnancy.
Smoking
Like caffeine and alcohol, nicotine in cigarettes can increase reflux activity. The heat from the inhaled smoke can actually weaken the esophageal flap. Smoking also increases the level of acid in the stomach which in turn gives more volume to the acid that may return up the esophagus. Inhaling cigarettes also diminishes saliva that would normally protect the throat and esophagus from damage. Stop smoking to lower the acid reflux activity. Long term damage from the hot smoke is possible.
