What Can Trigger Acid Reflux?

We all know acid reflux occurs due to several actions and mainly out of the food that we consume. The other reason for the occurrence of the illness is due to the misalignment between the chest and the stomach. The food we consume passes through the esophagus, which the barrier between the upper and lower stomach region. The esophagus acts as a valve and helps in shutting down after eating food to digest the same. Due to indigestion and misalignment, the acids released by the body for digestion enter the esophagus and find their way into the food pipe. It causes heartburn and sore throat.

The important reason behind the occurrence of acid reflux is food. Many food products are rich in acids that trigger acid reflux. For example, green apples are rich sources of citric acid. Consuming it will only worsen the situation, making it impossible to recover from the illness. Even doctors are unable to point out the exact reason that triggers acid reflux. Therefore, they often begin with common symptoms that are easily identifiable.

Stomach abnormalities can trigger acid reflux. One of the common symptoms that trigger acid reflux is a stomach abnormality. Called as hiatal hernia, it occurs regardless of the age and makes it impossible for the individual to have proper digestion, resulting in acid reflux. The abnormality occurs when there is a misalignment of the upper part of the stomach with that of the lower esophagus stomach. The muscle partition that separates the stomach and the chest is seating inappropriately. When there is no misalignment, the muscle works appropriately, and the diaphragm helps in preventing the acids present in the stomach escape into the esophagus. But the case is not the same for individuals suffering from Hiatal Hernia.

Pregnancy can trigger acid reflux. The other triggering factor for acid reflux is pregnancy. It is common for them to experience it during the second and third trimester. An increase in acid reflux is due to the changes that occur during this period. Progesterone hormones grow incredibly to provide a soothing effect on the muscles surrounding the uterus. These hormones are also responsible for causing an increase in acid reflux. The symptoms reside soon after delivery. However, women who gained weight during pregnancy will experience as a reflux for at least a year even after the delivery.

Smoking and alcohol abuse can trigger acid reflux. Both smoking and alcohol abuse contribute immensely to as it reflects. The reason is that of the content is present in these products. Consumption of alcohol and smoking damages mucus membranes, impairs muscle reflexes in the throat, reduces the functionality of lower esophagus stomach, increases acid secretion, and reduces the production of saliva that is an essential part in neutralizing the acids during digestion. In addition to these, both smoking and alcohol also increase the risk of cancer to the esophagus membrane.

Certain Foods can trigger acid reflux. Nature provided everything that a human being requires to survive. However, the change in environmental conditions, living conditions, lifestyle changes, and other factors created a barrier between the right and the wrong food that one should consume. It is advisable to avoid alcohol, carbonated beverages, citrus fruits, chocolates, dairy products, fatty and oily foods, tomatoes, sauces, onions, mint, and spicy foods containing chili.

Other triggering factors include overweight, consuming a heavy meal right before the bedtime, an increase in consumption of painkillers such as ibuprofen and aspirin, and temporary exercises that cause stress/pressure in the abdominal cavity that partly increases the acid reflects. Nevertheless, a change in lifestyle, food habits, and the addition of exercises will help in preventing the trigger of acid reflux with ease.