Acid reflux disorder is a disease in the digestive tract that is caused primarily by a relaxed or weak lower esophageal sphincter, also known as SLE. SLE is a specialized muscular valve between the esophagus and stomach, allowing the entry of fluids and foods and ensures that, although digest, everything stays in the stomach. Thus, the factors that causes the LES to do otherwise, then the cause of harmful acid reflux digestive enzymes and bile in the esophagus causing irritation and even damage.

A lot of factors can cause the weakened or relaxed LES carry symptoms of acid reflux disorder. These various substances can be induced by the patient or the physiological condition of the body is present article focuses on the latter category.

Lower esophageal sphincter (LES)

Even without the introduction of substances that can affect the functionality of the LES, the part can have digestive abnormalities that can lead to acid reflux disorder. There have been atypically SLE patients who have weak muscles, making it unfit to stop acid reflux occurs. Another anomaly patients diagnosed with LES relaxation is not associated with irregular when the right timing to open when food or liquid is swallowed.

Hiatal hernia

This is medical diagnosis when the patient is having a stomach that protrudes into the diaphragm upward. The protrusion may be exercised within the esophageal hiatus, which is a cavity inside the membrane that is supposed to serve as the passage of the vague along with the esophagus. Another case where the protrusion can occur is when the diaphragm has a tear that allows the stomach to occupy space in the tear. The protrusion will cause the LES to be dysfunctional, therefore, the acid reflux disorder arises.

Pregnancy

Acid reflux disorder can affect pregnant women, not only for the space you have the fetus, causing a slight change in the disposition of the organs. The change in hormone levels, specifically progesterone, also cause some adjustments to the way the digestive system works with what provides the acid reflux disorder.

Weight gain

It has long known that obesity is a major risk factor for acquiring the acid reflux disorder. But with the recent medical studies, showed that not only obesity but also the change in weight or weight gain is enough to trigger the disease. When you gain weight, abdominal pressure is higher and this in turn affects the functionality of the LES.

In many cases, reflux can not be attributed to any particular cause. In others, the following disorders can contribute to the problem:

Hiatus hernia

The upper stomach makes its way through the diaphragm (main breathing muscle that separates the heart and lungs with stomach, liver and other abdominal viscera), causing them to rupture, leaving more open hole through which the esophagus going from the chest to the abdomen, thus preventing the muscle fibers of the diaphragm closing well the bottom of the esophagus. Therefore, the esophagus remains completely open, allowing stomach acid to enter into it, especially when the stomach is full digestive process.

Overweight

If you are overweight, the excess fat from the abdominal cavity increases the pressure inside the stomach with its contents rises into the esophagus. Conversely, weight loss reduces stomach acid reflux.

Pregnancy

The uterus increased in size during pregnancy, compresses the stomach to put pressure on him. This increases the tendency to reflux. In addition, the hormonal changes of pregnancy determine esophageal sphincter relaxation.

Meals

The more the stomach is distended by food, the greater the tendency to reflux. The trend also increases when making fatty foods since fat slows the emptying of the stomach. Try to avoid large meals, especially at night. This reduces the tendency to reflux.

Food

Chocolate, peppermint, tomato sauce, coffee, fruit juices and alcohol prevent the oesophageal sphincter from working properly.

Snuff

The snuff also prevents the esophageal sphincter to function properly, reduces the rate of gastric emptying and increases production of stomach acid.

Constipation

Patients with constipation have an increased risk of reflux, constipation and increased pressure inside the stomach.

At bedtime

The tendency to reflux increases when we go to bed. This is simply due to the force of gravity. A simple way to avoid this is to use an extra pillow or elevate the head of the bed about 10 cm, with blocks or by placing a couple of bricks or blocks under the legs at the head.