If you were to type common causes of acid reflux into your favorite search engine you would definitely not be the first person to do so. There are thousands of searched queries for this health related conditions which means just one thing – it is extremely common and a lot of people are suffering from it.
But what are the most common causes of acid reflux so you can do something about it?
Acid reflux is the term given when a part of the acid content in the stomach moves up the esophagus and into the gullet which is the part of the mouth which is supposed to work the other way by moving your food from the mouth to the stomach.
Hydrochloric acid is present in the stomach in order to help to digest the food we eat more efficiently and protect against bacteria.
Although the majority of people suffer only with mild symptoms, there are some reports which suggest that as many as 60 million Americans who suffer every month and around 15 million people who suffer with the problem every single day.
There are several things which can cause or contribute to acid reflux. Some are related to medical conditions and others are more directly linked to lifestyle choices. Some people may find that they suffer from heartburn which is associated with particular types of food or drink but severe acid reflux may also be linked to other medical reasons which are not so easy to fix.
A hiatal hernia can often lead to heartburn or acid reflux as well as pregnancy, but let’s take a look at some of the things which can be changed in order to reduce the occurrence of this problem.
Obesity
Obese people are known to suffer more with this type of problem. If you are obese and you have problems with acid reflux, it is just one more important reason to change your lifestyle with the aim of losing some of the excess weight.
Smoking
Both active and passive smoking can also be a contributing factor to this condition. There are many reasons to stop smoking and this is just one more.
High salt intake
Although we all need a certain amount of salt in our diets, too much salt is definitely a bad thing.
Low physical exercise
If you increase your amount of daily exercise it can help a lot. It can help to reduce the likelihood of suffering with these problems and it can also help you to lose weight which in itself is another way to improve the situation.
Medication
Some drugs can have an effect on acid reflux, particularly antihistamines, sedatives, painkillers, anti depressants and drugs which are prescribed for asthma sufferers.
Low dietary fiber
If you don’t have enough fiber in your diet it can lead to heartburn and acid reflux. Be sure to eat more leafy greens and vegetables that increase your daily fiber intake.
These are some of the most common causes of heartburn, so if you are suffer regularly, you can use these tips to finally get some relief from acid reflux and ultimately, change your overall health in the process.
