Acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux (GER) results from a backward flow of stomach acid into the esophagus, a tube that connects your stomach to your throat. It may be due to various reasons, including poor eating habits, food intolerances, weak esophageal sphincter, a hiatal hernia, obesity, stress, or dietary and lifestyle choices. Your doctor may prescribe medications and nutritional modifications if you have a weak esophageal sphincter. In the case of severe acid reflux, surgical procedures may be the only option to help strengthen the esophageal sphincter. A hiatal hernia that does not respond well to medications may require surgery. If dietary and lifestyle choices cause your condition, changing your habits can relieve your symptoms. Here, we look into some causes of acid reflux.

Causes of acid reflux

Causes of Acid Reflux

Poor Eating Habits

What you eat may trigger acid reflux. Greasy foods, spicy foods, and carbonated beverages can increase your risk. Eating starchy food with protein can also cause acid reflux and indigestion since protein takes longer than starch to digest. When you eat these two types of food together, your stomach must hold onto the starches longer than needed, leading to the starches starting to ferment. You can avoid this by limiting the amount of starchy foods you consume when eating protein.

Causes of acid reflux

 

Food Intolerances

Most Americans are intolerant to at least one food item, and the symptoms associated with food intolerance are often overlooked or mistaken for something else. If you have food intolerances, it can cause bloating, heartburn, indigestion, and acid reflux. The most common food intolerances include wheat and dairy products. Because the body cannot break down intolerant foods, the body produces more and more stomach acids that can lead to gut issues.

Food sensitivity testing can help unravel the problem. It includes testing for foods, medicinal herbs, food additives and colorings, environmental chemicals, molds, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatories.

Obesity processed foods cause obesity

Excess weight can be due to several reasons, including hormone imbalances, poor eating habits, unhealthy lifestyles, or other underlying health conditions.

Many people who are overweight consume large meals. Large meals can exert pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter, causing it to partially open and allow stomach acids to fill into the esophagus. Losing excess weight with a safe, sensible diet and moderate exercise can help improve acid reflux in those who are overweight.

treating stress Stress

Stress can be due to an actual or perceived event that affects the balance between your body and brain. There is short-term stress (acute) or long-term stress(chronic). Everyone knows that stress is bad for your health. But did you realize that increased stress could exaggerate the symptoms of acid reflux?

Stress increases the production of cortisol, a hormone that affects digestion. To help alleviate digestive issues, use various stress-relieving techniques, such as meditation, yoga, and acupuncture.

Water

Did you know that water could cause acid reflux? Drinking too many fluids during your meal can dilute the stomach acids needed for digestion. Although this seems counterintuitive, you should limit the water you drink during a meal. Limiting your fluid intake will help the food to digest faster, thus lowering the risk of acid reflux. reduce caffeine

In addition to limiting the amount of fluid you drink during a meal, the temperature of your drink can either help or hinder digestion. Researchers believe drinking a cold drink with your food can constrict the blood vessels and solidify fats, making them more challenging to digest. Instead of drinking a cold drink, enjoy a hot cup of tea or a drink served at room temperature to help improve digestion.

Holistic Treatment for Acid Reflux

Acid reflux is a painful condition caused by stomach acids rising into the esophagus. Symptoms include chest pain or discomfort, a bitter taste, regurgitation, burping, nausea after eating, and bloating. If left untreated, acid reflux can damage the esophagus, causing scarring and narrowing. It can also lead to swallowing difficulties and may even cause esophageal cancer.

If your acid reflux symptoms are persistent, contact a functional medicine doctor who can help you identify the root cause of your condition. A holistic treatment of your gut issues may include diet or lifestyle changes, stress relief, and an analysis of food intolerances.