Posts Tagged ‘Causes’

Common Acid Reflux Causes

Wednesday, August 26th, 2009

Millions of people are bothered by acid reflux disease. Some common symptoms of acid reflux include heartburn, nausea, vomiting, regurgitation and ulcers in the esophagus. Acid reflux occurs when digestive acids produced in the stomach pushes (reflux) into the esophagus from the stomach. There are many causes of acid reflux, but unfortunately the cure is not found.
  A common cause of acid reflux occurs when the muscle tissue at the base of the esophagus, lower esophageal sphincter (LES), does not work correctly. This band of muscle, when working properly, the contracts and backup blocks acid in the esophagus. When the LES becomes weak or stops working, the barrier disappears causing acid reflux.
  A hiatal hernia is another common cause of acid reflux. A hiatal hernia occurs when the hole where the esophagus meets the stomach, hiatus weakens and stretches, or bursts like a balloon. The acid is capable of entering into the esophagus when the hiatus is weak and not able to block it.
  Two separate abnormalities of the esophagus may be causes of acid reflux. The first of these anomalies are found more often in adult males, but can be found in women, too. This anomaly is formed when the rings around the esophagus and constriction movement of food into the stomach. The deadline for this anomaly is the adult ringed esophagus.
  An abnormality of motility that occurs when the spontaneous action of muscle in the esophagus fails. This anomaly motility and adult ringed esophagus can cause more unusual acid reflux symptoms such as chronic cough and feeling that food is stuck in the throat. The spontaneous muscle of the stomach can not cause most common symptoms of acid reflux and heartburn. This is known as dysmotility.
  Asthma is another cause of acid reflux, or asthma is caused by acid reflux Both are true. Acid reflux causes asthma due to the problems of the upper airway that people with acid reflux disease often receives. In addition, asthma can cause acid reflux from the weakening of the LES that is a problem associated with asthma medications force open the airways and / or constant coughing and wheezing as the cause of asthma.
  Genetics may be a factor in people with acid reflux disease. Muscle mass and strength are determined by genetics, including the muscles of the esophagus and stomach. However, these muscles can be strengthened with regular exercise, including exercises aimed at the stomach, chest and abdomen area, along with a healthy diet low in fat. Peptic ulcers, some cancers and diabetes can also be causes of acid reflux.
  There is no cure for acid reflux disease, but symptoms can be kept under control. On-the-counter antacids are available to relieve heartburn, such as prescription drugs. The acid can be blocked by foam tablets by mouth. Surgery may be an option for some people with severe acid reflux disease and are healthy enough for surgery. The first step to cure the symptoms of acid reflux is to find the cause.

Causes and Risk Factors of Acid Reflux

Saturday, August 22nd, 2009

Gastro-esophageal reflux, commonly known as acid reflux, is a very common disorder and affects more than 7 percent of the U.S. population. Acid reflux can occur in people of all ages, although most common in infants and young children. Unlike children, who rarely face long-term symptoms of acid reflux, adults usually suffer from recurrent forms of the disease. The diagnostic process is simple acid reflux and usually involves clinical examination. Patients reports of symptoms and physical indicators of acid reflux are usually sufficient to diagnose the disease. However, in special cases doctors can perform additional tests to confirm a presumptive clinical diagnosis.

The causes of acid reflux are varied and multiple natures. In most cases, chronic acid reflux disease is caused by physiological dysfunctions, on the premises of inappropriate activity of the lower esophageal sphincter or excessive pressure inside the stomach. The lower esophageal sphincter is a ring-shaped muscular valve that normally acts as a barrier between the esophagus and stomach. Normally, this valve opens only during swallowing of food, otherwise remain closed. If the lower esophageal sphincter is weakened or compromised their integrity (due to physical trauma), stomach contents can easily be regurgitated into the esophagus and oral cavity.

Another common physiological cause of acid reflux is excessive pressure at the abdomen, pushing stomach contents upwards in the lining of the esophagus. This anomaly is more common in overweight people, smokers and pregnant women.

Many cases of acid reflux associated with hiatal hernia. Hiatal hernia usually occurs when the upper wall of the stomach moves above the diaphragm. Although this has not been confirmed, hiatus hernia is also seen as a cause of acid reflux. An interesting fact is that while most patients also suffer from acid reflux hiatal hernia, very few patients with hiatal hernia acid reflux eventually develop.

Drugs are also a cause of acid reflux disease. A wide variety of synthetic drugs can stimulate an overproduction of gastric acid in the stomach, which facilitates the occurrence of acid reflux. Other drugs produce relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter pressure or decrease the level of the esophagus.

Diet is also a major cause of acid reflux. Acids, irritating foods contribute greatly to the occurrence of acid reflux, causing an overproduction of stomach acid and causing relaxation of the esophageal valve. Poor dietary habits (binge eating, holidays) can also facilitate the occurrence of acid reflux. As a result, most acid reflux symptoms are experienced immediately after meals. Smoking and alcohol are also known to be the cause of acid reflux by interfering with the normal activity of the muscular esophageal valve.

The categories of persons likely to develop chronic forms of acid reflux disease are: pregnant women, obese people, smokers, alcoholics and people with other disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. Despite the high incidence of acid reflux in very young children and babies, these categories of patients are rarely faced with relapsing forms of the disease.

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