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Is Acid Reflux Caused by a Deficiency or Excess of Acid in the Stomach?

If you have heartburn, it may be caused by acid reflux, a condition in which stomach acid backs up into your esophagus. When acid reflux is a chronic problem, it is called gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD.

  1. Identification

    • Acid reflux commonly occurs when the sphincter at the bottom of your esophagus--which opens to allow food to flow down to the stomach--allows acid to flow back up into your esophagus. This can happen when you have eaten too much, when you lie down immediately after eating, or when the sphincter becomes weak and fails to close properly. Prescription drugs, certain foods, alcohol, and smoking may all contribute to weakening the sphincter muscles, according to HealthGuidance.org.

    Misconceptions

    • Antacids are commonly prescribed for acid reflux, but holistic practitioners such as Dr. Nicola Tauraso believe that's a mistake. Acid reflux, like other digestive problems, is not caused by excess stomach acid, Tauraso says. It can be an effect of indigestion, which stems from not having enough stomach acid to properly break down food when you eat. This condition is called hypochlorhydria. Tauraso warns that antacids that further reduce stomach acids actually can cause harm.

    Significance

    • Naturopathic doctor Andrew Rubman agrees that you need stomach acid when you are eating to break down the food in your stomach. If you don't have the proper balance of digestive juices, only some of the food will be broken down; the remaining food will begin to ferment in your stomach if there is insufficient acid to balance the bacteria. The result is painful gas buildup or expulsion, often accompanied by stinging or burning stomach liquid. On the other hand, acid can cause problems between meals; little snacks signal your stomach to produce acid when there is little or no food to work on. Thus what we generally call excess stomach acid actually is "inappropriate stomach acid," Dr. Rubman says.

    Prevention/Solution

    • To help combat acid reflux, Dr. Rubman says prevention is the best medicine.
      • To stop the overproduction of stomach acids in between meals, don't eat frequent snacks, or chew gum, this chewing action causes the production of acid at the wrong times.
      • Avoid overeating. Eating too much at one time increases pressure on the stomach and forces its up into the esophagus.
      • Wait two hours between meals. It takes that long to properly digest food.
      • Never lie down immediately after eating a large meal.

    Considerations

    • Don't drink too much liquid during meals. More than a few sips can inhibit the acids in your stomach from properly digesting and breaking down foods. Also, chewing triggers acid production, so eat slowly and chew your food very well before swallowing it.

    Warning

    • Heartburn may be related to the presence of helicobacter pylori bacteria in the stomach, which could result in ulcers or even cancer. If your symptoms persist more than a week to ten days, see your doctor and ask for a blood test to determine if you have this bacteria. If you do, it can easily be treated, according to Dr. Tauraso.

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