What Are the Everyday Causes of Acid Reflux?

It may surprise you to learn the everyday causes the condition acid reflux (heartburn, gas, burping, and so on). This condition can actually be exacerbated by what your doctor may prescribe--antacids. Diet habits can also play a major role in acid reflux.

Antacids

• According to Dr. Nicola Tauraso, Director of Tauraso Medical Clinic, antacids or stomach acid reducers (both prescribed and over-the-counter, expensive and inexpensive) are major contributors to chronic heartburn. The body needs stomach acid to break down proteins and complex carbohydrates. If you take an antacid, there is not enough stomach acid to do that major digestive job. You then get heartburn and reach for another antacid.

Frequent Snacking

• Dr. Andrew Rubman, doctor of naturopathic medicine, goes into further detail, particularly concerning diet. Snacking causes the production of extra acid in the body and when dinner time approaches, there will not be an adequate amount of stomach acid to break down food and, therefore, heartburn will ensue.

Eating Too Fast

• Dr. Rubman advises the same thing moms have always said: Do not eat so fast. Chewing food is an important trigger to the brain to produce saliva which aids in digestion.

Drinking With Meals

• Do not drink fluids with meals. If you want a drink, have a little bit about 30 minutes prior to dinner and not more than 60 minutes after, because just a little bit of fluid with meals dilutes the stomach acid inhibiting the digestive process.

Overeating and Certain Types of Food

• Overeating will cause stomach acids because the body is working overtime trying to break down all that excess food. Stop eating before you feel full.

  Stay away from sugars especially goodies with refined sugar. Coffee and caffeine-containing products, such as chocolate or colas, and fried food should be avoided because they inflame the gastrointestinal system.

Ulcer

• Should a problem persist even though all the preventative steps were taken, the next step should be to check for an ulcer or other problem. Ulcers are abated with antacids because reducing stomach acid helps the ulcer heal.