What causes acid reflux can be as simple as eating too much to as serious as having an abnormality in the esophageal tube. The symptoms can occur after consuming a meal that is spicy and maybe that contains too much fat. Acid reflux is a problem in the digestive system that is also called GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) or simply referred to as heartburn. Certain medications can cause a relaxation of the muscle that helps retain food and acid in the stomach. When the acid from the digestive process backs up into the esophagus the sensitive skin can burn and sores can erupt from the damage.
Treatment for what causes acid reflux will help to reduce and eliminate the symptoms. There are over the counter medications that can help neutralize the acidity and sometimes drinking milk will cause a temporary soothing relief from the burning sensations. If the attacks are infrequent and are not really uncomfortable taking over the counter medications and changing dietary habits may keep the symptoms in check. If you find that you are unable to manage the disease you should seek the help of your physician. There are simple steps below that help you to understand the condition and the ways that you can learn to manage the disease.
Step 1: One of the major causes can be eating a meal that has more spice that you are accustomed to eating. You also may be eating a diet that has too much fat. Both of these are considered to contribute to the uncomfortable sensations of the disorder.
Step 2: What causes acid reflux in some people is a defect in the esophagus such as adult ringed abnormality in which multiple rings in the esophageal tube causes food to get stuck and makes foods difficult to swallow. You may have a chronically sore throat and cough. You might sound hoarse or feel like you need to dislodge a lump that is stuck in your throat. Another defect in the tube is called motility abnormality and the muscle action that pushes food into the stomach does not work as it should. These are diagnosed by the physician.
Step 3: The sphincter muscle at the bottom of the esophageal tube closes off after food enters into the stomach. This muscle is called the LES. If the muscle is relaxed from certain drugs the acid can flow back into the tube. Sometimes a person suffers from a nervous condition that may cause the muscle to react inappropriately.
Step 4: An article in the Cleveland clinic by the title of GERD and Asthma stated that 75% of asthma patients also suffer with some form of acid reflux disease. The sneezing and coughing that characterizes asthma may be the cause or the medications that relax the airways may also cause a relaxation of the sphincter muscle.
Step 5: A lot of the heartburn is because the function of the stomach is impaired. Almost half of the people who suffer this disorder have stomach problems such as abnormal contractions or the contents do not empty correctly and the acid backs into the esophagus.
Step 6: What causes acid reflux can be blamed on hereditary factors. One of the reasons some people develop GERD is from a family history of the disease. The stomach or structure of the esophagus may be genetically malformed. One of these abnormal genetic disorders is called Barrett’s esophagus and the person will inherit a predisposition to cancer from the damage done by GERD.
Step 7: Pain relievers can cause GERD symptoms. This applies to over the counter medications as well as those prescribed by your doctor. Generally the symptoms are associated with long term aspirin or pain relief therapy.
Step 8: Calcium channel blockers that are used in the treatment of hypertension and anticholinergics that are prescribed for urinary tract infections have been known to increase symptoms of GERD. Dopamine that is used by people who have a diagnosis of Parkinson’s is also a drug implicated in creating heartburn symptoms. If you take any medications that you think may have GERD as a side effect, you should discuss the treatment options with your doctor.
Step 9: If you have more than the occasional attack of heartburn you should make an appointment for follow up with your physician. If dietary and lifestyle changes do not work and you have felt no relief from over the counter medications, then the doctor may be able to find another treatment option for you to alleviate the disease or some of its symptoms. You cannot leave the disease untreated because what causes acid reflux may be serious to cause or contribute to another life threatening disease known as cancer.
