Chronic Acid Reflux

Chronic Acid Reflux Disease occurs because of the improper closing of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) that leads to leak back of stomach content, reflux into the esophagus. The LES is the ring of muscle that works as valve between stomach and esophagus. Esophagus works as a carrier of food from mouth to stomach.

There is burning sensation in the throat and chest when the refluxed stomach acid touches the lining of the esophagus and is called as heartburn. However, heartburn is common that does not mean that one has chronic acid reflux disease. But it may lead severe health problems. Anyone including children, adults, pregnant women and infants can suffer from the Chronic Acid Reflux Disease.

Causes of Chronic Acid Reflux Disease

There are no any exact and proper reasons behind the chronic acid reflux disease. A hiatal hernia may be responsible for causing the acid reflux. If the upper part of the stomach remains above the diaphragm then it is responsible for occurring hernia. Diaphragm is the muscle that keeps acid coming up into esophagus. Presence of hiatal hernia helps acid to come up that may lead to reflux. Hiatal hernia may occur in people of any age.

Below are some common factors and foods that causes chronic acid reflux disease,

Semi permanent cough or chronic is a symptom of acid reflux. However it is common experience that most of people couldn't understand or realize that it can be caused by chronic acid. The flow of acid back up the esophagus resulting in spasm of the airways leads to shortness of breath or coughing. It may also occur if some definite nerves within the esophagus related to lung get irritated.

Precautions during chronic acid reflux:

If you are sure that the cough you have is caused because of acid reflux then you need to treat acid reflux not cough. If your cough is because of acid reflux then medicines designed to treat cough are not effective. So your aim should be to treat acid reflux not only cough.

Change your lifestyle:

Change in eating habit is very important factor in preventing acid reflux disease. You may alter your eating habits by avoiding foods such as fatty, spicy food, chocolate, citrus juice and fruits, caffeinated beverages, alcohols etc. that cause acid reflux. Except this precaution you also need to eat small and frequent meals.

Overweight also causes to acid reflux by giving pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The person with overweight may do exercise such as swimming, cycling and walking that not put any pressure on the stomach and LES. Do not eat anything before exercising. Smoking is another factor that leads to acid reflux but also make worse chronic bronchitis.

Acid reflux is very common while we sleeping where the defenses in the digestive systems are inactive. Defenses are responsible for preventing acid reflux. To avoid this make sure that you are not eating and drinking two to three hours before going to sleep. Also the position of your sleep should be with raising your head approximately 4 inches to prevent traveling of acid up your esophagus.