The Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) can get weakened with time, is what causes acid reflux. It is a ring of muscle that is located between the esophagus and the stomach. The lower esophageal sphincter should usually loosen up when you swallow, letting food and liquids go into your stomach. The lower esophageal sphincter will then tighten to stop the stomach’s contents from going back up into the esophagus. If the lower esophageal sphincter is impaired, it is possible that it will not seal correctly, which will cause stomach contents to flow back up into the esophagus.
Acid Reflux Cause #1: Eating too much too quickly
Eating large meals or eating too rapidly can induce acid reflux because they both raise the pressure in the stomach, which in turn increases the likelihood that stomach acid will be allowed to flow into the esophagus.
Acid Reflux Cause #2: Consuming Trigger Foods
Trigger foods that cause acid reflux can increase stomach acid, causing esophageal irritation and heartburn and chest pain.Â
The following foods can aggravate acid reflux symptoms.
- Fried and fatty foods – Consuming foods that are fried and/or high in fat can cause your stomach acid to surge. This will most likely go up into your esophagus if you continue doing this.
- Citrus fruits – Fruits from the citrus family are quite high in acidity. Some examples include oranges, lemons, and grapefruits. They have the potential to aggravate the stomach and cause acid reflux.
- Tomatoes – Tomatoes have a relatively high acidity level. Because of this, the stomach may get irritated, which can lead to acid reflux.
- Garlic and onions – Both garlic and onions have a high concentration of chemicals that contain sulfur. They have the potential to bring on acid reflux and heartburn.
- Chocolate – Caffeine as well as other stimulants can be found in chocolate. This can cause an increase in the amount of acid that is produced in the stomach, which can then lead to acid reflux.
- Mint – The lower esophageal sphincter can be relaxed with the help of mint. This can result in acid reflux because it opens the door for stomach acid to travel backwards into the esophagus.
- Spicy foods – Consuming spicy foods may cause an increase in the amount of acid produced in the stomach. The result of this is acid reflux.
- Alcohol – Research has shown that drinking alcohol can relax the lower esophageal sphincter, making it easier for food to pass through. This makes it possible for acid to travel in the opposite direction, from the stomach into the esophagus.
- Caffeinated beverages – Consuming beverages containing caffeine may cause an increase in the production of acid in the stomach. The result of this is acid reflux.
- High-fat dairy products – Consuming high-fat dairy products like butter, cream, and whole milk can cause digestion to proceed more slowly. This results in an increase in the amount of acid produced in the stomach, which can contribute to acid reflux.
Acid Reflux Cause #3: Being overweight
Because it puts additional strain on the abdomen, being overweight or obese can raise the risk of acid reflux. This is because acid reflux is caused by stomach acid rising up into the esophagus.
Acid Reflux Cause #4: Eating close to bedtime
Eating a meal within a few hours of going to bed can increase the risk of acid reflux since it takes the stomach longer to digest food while it is in the reclining posture.
Acid Reflux Cause #5: Stress
It’s possible that mental tension and worry are directly responsible for an increase in acid production as well as a worsening of the symptoms of acid reflux.
Acid Reflux Cause #6: Smoking
The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) can be weakened by smoking, which might increase the risk of acid reflux.
Acid Reflux Cause #7: Pregnancy
Acid reflux is a symptom that can be induced when the increased pressure from a growing baby pulls stomach acid back up into the esophagus. This can cause an individual to experience symptoms of acid reflux.
Acid Reflux Cause #8: Hiatal Hernia
A hiatal hernia is a condition in which part of the stomach protrudes upward through an opening in the diaphragm into the chest cavity. Symptoms may include chest or abdominal pain, difficulty swallowing, and heartburn. Treatment typically involves lifestyle changes or medications to reduce acid reflux. Surgery may be necessary in severe cases. It can cause the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to become weakened, which can lead to an increase in the risk of acid reflux.
