Acid reflux results when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus, causing the burning feeling of heartburn in the chest and throat. A sour or bitter taste also might affect the back of the mouth. An esophageal muscle normally opens as food enters the stomach and closes to prevent acid backup. Acid reflux occurs when the muscle relaxes and does not close tightly. Certain factors aggravate the esophageal muscle to increase or worsen acid reflux symptoms.
Meals
Eating large meals can result in acid reflux, Medical News Today explains. Food might not have time to digest and bring on acid reflux. Eating smaller portions during mealtime or having smaller meals and spreading them out throughout the day might reduce acid reflux. Lying down or bending over soon after eating can increase heartburn symptoms. Waiting two to three hours before lying down after eating will help prevent acid reflux.
Trigger Foods
Particular foods can affect people differently, and knowing your heartburn food triggers can help reduce symptoms. Foods that aggravate acid reflux might include fatty or fried foods, spicy foods, tomato-based products and sauces, garlic, onions, chocolate and citrus fruits, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Caffeine, carbonated beverages and alcoholic drinks can trigger acid reflux, and gassy foods also can increase heartburn and include beans, broccoli, cabbage and Brussels sprouts.
Considerations
Medicines, including aspirin, ibuprofen, sedatives and certain high blood pressure medications, can worsen heartburn, FamilyDoctor.org notes. Talk to your doctor about alternative medicine if your prescription medication causes acid reflux. Smoking also aggravates the esophageal muscle by causing it to relax and increasing acid reflux.
Health Condition
Heartburn episodes might increase or worsen if you are overweight or obese because of pressure on the abdomen that promotes acid backup from the stomach. Acid reflux also increases during the late stages of pregnancy because of abdominal pressure. Symptoms of a hiatal hernia include acid reflux. Hiatal hernias occur when an upper portion of the stomach pushes into the chest through a small opening in the diaphragm. Peptic ulcers slow the digestive process, build up gastric acids and cause acid reflux.
Prevention
Antacids provide quick relief for people who experience occasional heartburn, and acid blockers reduce stomach acid production to prevent acid reflux for several hours. Proton pump inhibitors reduce acid production and help heal the esophagus from too much acid reflux. Doctors can prescribe stronger forms of the medications. People experiencing acid reflux more than twice a week might have gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. Prescription medications and dietary changes can relieve symptoms.
