Frequent Causes of Acid Reflux

Chances are that like millions of other Americans, you have experienced acid reflux. For many people however, acid reflux is a regular and frequent nuisance. Reflux occurs when the acid in your stomach flows back into your esophagus, a tube that connects the stomach to the back of the throat. Gastric reflux can cause chest pain, heartburn, regurgitation of food and tooth erosion. A big part of treatment for indigestion in Ft. Worth is prevention, so you must know the frequent causes of acid reflux.

• Bad eating habits. A frequent cause of indigestion in Ft. Worth is overeating, which causes the stomach contents to overflow and back up into the throat. Eat more frequent, smaller-sized meals to prevent acid reflux.

• Pregnancy. A healthy baby is desirable, but a growing child can put pressure on the stomach wall, forcing acid up into the throat. Eating smaller meals and frequently changing positions helps relieve pressure on the stomach.

• Smoking. The common habit of smoking can cause acid reflux, because it damages mucus membranes, decreases saliva production and increases acid secretion in the stomach. Smoking also slows down digestion, resulting in increased stomach pressure and a greater chance of reflux.

• Hiatal hernia. Hiatal hernias cause acid reflux when a portion of the stomach protrudes upward into the chest cavity. Hiatal hernias should be diagnosed by a physician, and are often caused by vomiting, straining and obesity. Pregnancy and physical exertion can also cause hiatal hernias.

• Asthma. Although scientists disagree on whether asthma causes acid reflux or vice versa, it is clear that one condition aggravates the other. Asthma medications can also cause acid reflux in some people.

• Acidic diet. Certain foods and beverages that are acidic in nature can cause acid reflux. These products include alcohol, citrus fruits, fruit juices, tomato sauces, spicy foods and spicy flavorings. Simply avoid these foods to decrease your chance of acid reflux.