Acid Disease Reflux Main Causes

By Raymond harper

Acid Disease Reflux Information

Anyone can get heartburn. Most people will have suffered acid disease reflux (heartburn) at some time or another. Usually it’s from overeating, too much to drink, or even when bending or lifting. Lying down after a meal is another way of getting it. Heartburn is a temporary condition, although it can be very painful and is usually treated by taking an antacid.

Acid reflux Disease (GERD for short) however is a different matter, it is a chronic illness and can be very debilitating.

The cause of acid disease reflux (full name gastroesophageal reflux disease) is not so easy to define as there are multiple problems and a variety of conditions which can influence it. Diagnosing GERD can be complex because acid reflux symptoms in each individual can be from a different problem.

It would seem like over production of stomach acid would be a major cause but this is not the case. In some instances this can be a factor but in the vast majority of individuals this is not a contributory factor.

The main acid reflux cause seems to be problems with the lower esophageal sphincter, another factor and heartburn cause is having a hiatal hernias. Other acid reflux causes are impaired stomach function, and abnormal contractions of the esophagus.

Malfunction of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES)

The esophagus is the linking passage between the throat and the stomach it is a muscular tube that passes food from the mouth by using the rhythmic contraction of smooth muscles to propel contents to the stomach.

Where the esophagus joins the stomach is called the cardia. At this juncture there is a strong band of muscle that acts like a one way valve mechanism called the lower esophageal sphincter. It works by contracting and closing off the passage to the stomach, preventing the stomach acid from returning into the esophagus. When we eat and swallow the muscles of the LES will open for a short time allowing food to pass to the stomach. It then closes, stopping stomach acid re-entering the esophagus. (Acid reflux).

One of the problems that can happen to the LES is when the ring of muscle looses tone and contracts weakly allowing stomach contents to reflux back into the esophagus.

Another acid reflex cause is called transient LES relaxations. This action is normal and spontaneous and usually occurs after a meal when the stomach is distended. Many of these transient LES relaxations occur to let air out of the stomach and result in "belching or burping".

In a person without GERD normal Les relaxations happen and sometimes food can reflux back into the esophagus, but strong esophageal muscle contractions should normally force these stomach contents back into the stomach. Also saliva is being swallowed at the same time. The saliva contains bicarbonate a natural acid neutralizer which works to counteract the acid so there is no damage in the esophagus.

Many people who suffer from GERD have more frequent transient LES relaxations as compared to those who have infrequent or no heartburn symptoms. This is because the relaxations can last longer, sometimes a few minuets allowing far more stomach acid to be released into the esophagus causing damage.

Normally Les relaxations do not occur when you are lying down but with people that suffer from GERD transient LES relaxations can be brought on at night while lying down and as a result sometime severe damage to the lining of the esophagus can happen.

Hiatal Hernia

Hiatal hernia cause, symptoms and treatment

Hernia’s are produced when there is a protrusion through a part of the body. Hernia’s can develop anywhere but are usually found in the stomach area when there is a tear or weakness in the muscle of the abdominal wall.

The diaphragm is the muscle that separates the abdomen from the chest. There is a hole in the diaphragm through which the esophagus passes called the  esophageal hiatus.

A hiatus hernia occurs in the  esophageal hiatus where there is a protrusion through the diaphragm up into the chest. It is also know as a diaphragmatic hernia. It can be a major cause of acid disease reflux.……………                                                                                                                             Article on Hiatal hernias

Esophagus problems

There are quite a number of abnormalities of the esophagus which effect the removal of stomach acid from the esophagus. Motility disorders such as achalasia and diffuse esophageal spasms are two of the most common. Nutcracker esophagus is another motility disorder which is caused by abnormal movement (peristalsis) of the esophagus.

Impaired Stomach Function

A percentage of people with GERD have been found to have impaired stomach function. A study showed that over half of GERD patients showed abnormal nerve or muscle function in the stomach. These abnormalities cause impaired motility, which is the inability of muscles to act spontaneously. The stomach muscles do not contract normally, which causes the stomach to empty slowly, this in turn prolongs the distention of the stomach after a meal. When this happens the period which acid reflux can occur is also extended.

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