Acid reflux is a condition marked by increased acidity of the digestive tract especially affecting the esophagus. This causes a digestive disorder called Acid Reflux Disease.

       This is how it happens. There is a small valve just at the entrance of  your stomach. It is called the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES). It is a ring of muscles that closes normally as food passes through it.

        If the LES doesn't close all the way down or opens too much, acids produced by your stomach to digest food can move up to your esophagus. This movement of acid to the esophagus can cause a burning chest pain called "Heart Burn". If it happens more than twice a week, then you have the Reflux Acid Disease medically known as Gastroesophegeal Reflux Disease (GERD).

WHAT CAUSES ACID REFLUX DISEASE (GERD)

      A very common cause of acid reflux disease is a stomach abnormality called Hiatal Hernia.

      Hiatal Hernia is a digestive disorder where some part of the stomach  bulges out of the hiatal opening and is found above the diaphragm. It is more common with pregnant women, obese people and people above 50 years.

       Normally, the diaphragm helps keep acids inside our stomach but in a case of Hiatal Hernia, acid can move up to the esophagus causing heart burn.

Some Common Risk Factors For Acid Reflux Disease includes;


 1. Eating large meals or lying down right after a meal.
2. Being overweight or obese.
3. Eating a heavy meal and lying on your back or bending over at the waist.
4. Snacking close to bedtime.
5. Eating certain foods, such as citrus, tomato, chocolate, mint, garlic, onions, or spicy or fatty foods.
6. Drinking certain beverages, such as alcohol, carbonated drinks, coffee, or tea.
7. Smoking.
8. Being pregnant.
9. Taking aspirin, ibuprofen, certain muscle relaxers, or blood pressure medications.

SYMPTOMS OF ACID REFLUX DISEASE.

The most common symptoms of Acid reflux disease includes;

 1. Heartburn - This is a burning pain from your stomach to your chest and most times up into the throat.
2. Regurgitation - A bitter tasting acid that backs up into your throat or mouth from the stomach.

Other symptoms of acid reflux disease are:


 3. Nauseating feeling.
4. Blood stooling.
5. Weight loss for no reason.
6. Dysphagia - A condition where the esophagus seems narrow and creates the sensation of food being stuck in your throat.
7. Regular hiccups that won't let up.
8. Burping.
9. Chronic sore throat.
10. Dry cough

 Read More: Diagnosis and Treatment of Acid Reflux Disease (GERD)

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