Acid reflux, sometimes referred to as gastroesophageal reflux, is a condition that occurs when a combination of food and digestive acids from your stomach passes upward into your esophagus, which connects your mouth and stomach. There are several potential causes or risk factors associated with acid reflux. However, low stomach acid does not trigger this condition.
Reflux Basics
Acids in your stomach, called digestive juices, help break down your food so it can be absorbed in your small intestine and used to support your body functions. Under normal circumstances, the foods you eat pass in only one direction through your esophagus and into your stomach. In people with acid reflux, digestive juices and food pass from the stomach back through a muscular ring called the lower esophageal sphincter, which sits between the stomach and esophagus and normally closes down to prevent any backward flow. When stomach acids touch the lining of the esophagus, they can trigger a painful condition called acid indigestion or heartburn.
Causes and Factors
While no one knows precisely why certain people develop acid reflux, the best evidence suggests that it occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter relaxes while the esophagus is still passing food to the stomach, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, or NDDIC. Factors known to increase your chances for developing reflux problems include the presence of an anatomical abnormality between your stomach and esophagus called a hiatal hernia, smoking, pregnancy and obesity. Consumption of certain foods and beverages can worsen existing reflux symptoms, including alcoholic or caffeinated drinks, fatty foods, spicy foods, fried foods, citrus, onions, chocolate, garlic and any food that contains tomatoes.
Low Stomach Acid
Low stomach acid, a condition formally known as hypochlorhydria, can develop spontaneously in people who have a wide variety of gastrointestinal conditions or other health problems, MD Guidelines reports. They can also develop as a consequence of taking certain medications. In addition to helping you digest your food, the acid in your stomach helps limit the presence of harmful bacteria in both your stomach and small intestine. Potential consequences of insufficient acid include increased risks for serious gastrointestinal infections and illnesses related to these bacteria, as well as development of calcium or zinc deficiencies, an overgrowth of hormone-producing cells in the stomach and a specific form of pancreatic tumor.
Considerations
People who regularly experience acid reflux more than twice a week have a condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, the NDDIC explains. GERD is a more serious problem than occasional reflux, and can lead to scarring, bleeding or ulcers in your esophagus. In addition to heartburn, potential GERD symptoms include swallowing difficulties, asthma-like symptoms and development of a dry cough. Some people don't produce any stomach acid at all. This condition, called achlorhydria, carries the same health risks as hypochlorhydria, MD Guidelines notes. Consult your doctor for more information on acid reflux, GERD and low stomach acid.
