Dysfunctional esophageal sphincter:
Acid reflux generally occurs when the food in the stomach starts moving towards the esophagus – the tube-like organ above the stomach – through the sphincter muscle. If the sphincter muscle is dysfunctional and cannot prevent the food from passing through it upwards to the esophagus, then acid reflux happens.
Pregnancy:
Progestin hormone levels are elevated during pregnancy. This is the reason why most pregnant women experience acid reflux. The growing uterus is another reason behind acid reflux in pregnant women. One upside is that soon after the delivery, the symptoms of acid reflux will gradually disappear.
Hiatal hernia:
Hiatal hernia is the condition wherein part of the stomach moves into the chest through a small opening in the diaphragm called the hiatus. Normally, it is the hiatus which prevents acid reflux, but in the case of hiatal hernia, stomach acid and food that get trapped in that portion of the stomach which has found its way to the chest get squeezed with every breath, thus exacerbating acid reflux.
Gastroparesis:
This is a type of disorder in which the stomach takes a long time to empty its food contents. When this happens, the contents start backing up to the esophagus, causing the acid reflux.
Obesity:
People who are overly obese are at the highest risk of suffering from acid reflux. This is because they tend to have greater pressure in the stomach area, inducing acid reflux. Acid reflux sufferers who are morbidly obese must find ways to reduce their weight as acid reflux can have serious complications.
Lifestyle:
People who suffer from acid reflux all the time should change their lifestyle in order to eliminate it completely. For example, if they are very fond of coffee – drinking up to more than 3 cups a day – then this habit should be kicked to prevent acid reflux. Likewise, if one has gotten used to eating three heavy meals a day, this has to be adjusted to several smaller meals to prevent regurgitation. Similarly, there are certain types of food that leave you more prone to acid reflux, such as chocolates, soda and other carbonated drinks, fried food, alcohol, high-fat dairy products, and high-fat meats.
Asthma:
The cough which accompanies asthma may be associated with acid reflux as there will be mild changes involving pressure on the chest.
Genetic factors:
If any one person in a family is suffering from heartburn, then there are higher chances for the other members of the family to suffer from acid reflux as well because of genetics.
Bisphosphonates:
These are drugs which prevent bone mass loss and are used for the treatment of osteoporosis and other diseases of the bone. Unfortunately, acid reflux is one of its side effects. It can cause erosion of the esophagus and upset stomach as well. To prevent this, the patient could sit upright for 30-60 minutes after taking this drug.
