Do you experience a burning sensation in your lower chest? If you do, there’s a high possibility that you’re experiencing acid reflux.
What causes acid reflux problems? Acute acid reflux has a variety of causes. We’ll go through each one of these causes in this article to help you get rid of your pain and return on track.
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What’s In The Entrance Of Your Stomach?
There’s a valve at the entrance of your stomach called the lower oesophagal sphincter (LES). The LES is a ring of muscle that shuts as soon as the food passes through it. There are occasions when the LES does not close entirely or immediately. Heartburn is a condition in which the stomach acid you produce starts to backflow up into your oesophagus, causing discomfort. The acid can occasionally reach the back of your mouth, leaving an unpleasant taste.
Heartburn is an uncommon but normal phenomenon. If you experience heartburn on a regular basis, it’s likely that you have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), also known as acid reflux.
What Causes Acid Reflux All Of A Sudden?
Acid reflux can be caused by a variety of factors. The following are some of the most frequent causes of acid reflux:
Food
Acid reflux can be triggered by lying down after a meal or consuming too much. It might also be induced by meals and beverages such as:
- Carbonated beverages
- Lemons, oranges, and other citrus fruits
- Chocolate
- Fried or fatty foods
- Onion
- Garlic
- Spicy foods
- Tea
- Coffee
- Food with tomato (i.e. pizza, salsa, lasagna, spaghetti sauce, etc.)
- Alcohol
Smoking
Smoking has also been linked to acid reflux. Smoking damages throat mucus membranes, causing increased acid secretion and disrupting the production of saliva, which helps to counteract acidity in the mouth and oesophagus. Smokers’ LES function may be hampered as well.
Hiatal Hernia
One of the most common causes of acid reflux disease is a hiatal hernia. A hiatal hernia is an uncommon stomach condition in which the top portion of the stomach protrudes above the diaphragm. The diaphragm serves as a barrier between your stomach and chest, in addition to allowing you to breathe. It aids in the retention of acid in your stomach. If you have a hiatal hernia, on the other hand, the diaphragm will struggle to keep the acid inside your stomach.
Pregnancy
Some women who have not previously had GERD experience acid reflux during pregnancy for the first time. But why? According to doctors, this is due to the pressure from the developing fetus and rising hormone levels. Typically, the symptoms are at their worst in the third trimester. Acid reflux caused by pregnancy generally goes away after delivery.
Other Factors
Acid reflux can also be caused by factors such as being overweight, eating close to bedtime, and taking certain medicines including aspirin, ibuprofen, blood pressure medications, and muscle relaxers.
How Do You Stop Acid Reflux?
The most frequently used acid reflux medication is omeprazole. Omeprazole lowers the amount of stomach acid produced by inhibiting the production of stomach acid. This popular GERD therapy is available in tablet, capsule, and liquid forms.