What Are Some of the Causes Of Acid Reflux In Different People

Heartburn can be an extremely uncomfortable feeling but the causes of acid reflux can be different in different people. The same person may have a different cause at different times for the condition. The main causes of acid reflux however, are lower esophagus sphincter, hiatal hernia, esophageal contractions and emptying of the stomach. In rare cases, it can be caused by an overproduction of stomach acid.

The burning sensation behind the breastbone, commonly called heartburn is the result of acid reflux which happens when the liquid in the stomach is allowed to reflux into the esophagus. The acid in the stomach irritate the esophagus lining as one of the causes of acid reflux and the burning sensation. If the lower esophagus sphincter is opened, even slightly, the content of the stomach will reflux into the esophagus. How much acid is in the stomach flowing upwards determines how the severe the pain may be.

There are many medications on the market that control the amount of acid produced by the stomach. They may reduce the burning from the causes of acid reflux, but whatever liquid is in the stomach will still reflux into the esophagus. The function of the lower esophagus sphincter is to open for a few seconds when a person swallows and then close back up to prevent stomach contents from going into the esophagus. When the muscle is weak, it is possible for stomach acid to flow into the esophagus. Additionally, the sphincter may remain open too long, again allowing the acid to reflux or come into the esophagus.

The lower esophagus sphincter is on the same level as the diaphragm as the esophagus passes through it. With a hiatal hernia, the top of the stomach, where it connects to the esophagus allows a small part of the stomach to pass through the diaphragm, letting acid into the esophagus and is one of the causes of acid reflux.

In patients with sporadic problems with the function of the lower esophagus sphincter, the stomach may also take longer to empty than in patients who seldom experience heartburn. The longer the stomach takes to empty, the more time the stomach has to push acid back into the esophagus.

Eating too much can also one of the causes of acid reflux as the sphincter has no way to push acid back into the stomach since it is full. By bending and sitting, food and other stomach content may be forced back into the esophagus which is another of the causes of acid reflux.