Reflux Source

The coincidence of a number of medical and lifestyle factors leads to acid reflux disease making causes complex and rooted in many factors. Gastro-esophageal reflux disease, or acid reflux is the product of physiological conditions such as the sensitivity of the mucus of the esophagus to the refluxed stomach content, the contra-flow of the food and acid content into the esophagus and lower esophageal sphincter hypotonia, which is the gradual weakening of the lower esophageal sphincter .

The food that you swallow moves down your throat and contractions of the esophagus muscles then push it further. In the area of the junction of the esophagus and the stomach, there is a valve-like mechanism which is the LES (lower esophageal sphincter). Closing this muscle stops stomach acid from returning or refluxing into the esophagus.

The problem with the lower esophageal sphincter is the first causal step to the disease of acid reflux. In a healthy person, the LES is only relaxed upon food moving from the esophagus into the stomach. When the food is inside the stomach, the valve shuts again to maintain stomach acid and content inside. When the lower esophageal sphincter is weakened however and fails to shut correctly, acid can be pushed back up your throat causing a painful burning feeling which is heartburn.

A weakness that is inherited, obesity and eating too much fatty foods all contribute to preventing the LES from properly shutting. As well as these factors, muscles also sag because of the aging process undergone by humans, a tendency which affects the LES as well.

The next factor or group of factors responsible for acid reflux disease are related to behavior and lifestyle. As already indicated, a lower esophageal sphincter that is already weak contributes directly to acid reflux disease at the physiological level. Various foodstuffs, drugs and processes of the nervous system can cause weakening in this muscle and exacerbate acid reflux. Foods possibly triggering acid reflux include orange juice, lemons and lemonade, grapefruit juice, tomatoes et their juice, fried potatoes, sour cream, tea and coffee.

Several options exist for dealing with symptomatic acid reflux. However the esophagus is not properly protected or treated by the classic approaches and the use of these over the counter and prescription drugs, including antacid, over a long period of time can cause multiple side effects with varying degrees of risk. In other words, the conventional frequently used approaches, based on prescription and over the counter medication, only handle the symptoms of chronic heartburn. They may not be good enough to stop heartburn other than in the short term.

There are many alternative treatments including homeopathy, herbal remedies and all encompassing all natural holistic therapies, other than prescription medication. While resolving the internal causes of acid reflux, these natural treatments help your acid reflux problem by healing the causes rather than targeting only related symptoms that are external.