11 Causes of Acid Reflux and Risk Factors, Most Potentially Fatty Foods

Kapanlagi.com - Most causes of gastric acid can come from consuming certain foods. This condition can be accompanied by several symptoms that cause pain and discomfort in the stomach and upper abdomen. If you have a history of gastric acid, understanding the causes and risk factors of gastric acid reflux needs to be done in order to receive proper treatment.

Gastric acid can affect anyone regardless of age. Rising gastric acid can cause sufferers to experience several symptoms including upper abdominal pain, feeling hot, chest pain, dry mouth, and dry cough continuously at night. The condition when gastric acid rises causes the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which is a circular muscle in the esophagus or the channel that carries food to the stomach, to not function properly.

This condition can be triggered by several factors that cause gastric acid to rise. From lifestyle to certain medical conditions, gastric acid can increase and cause health problems. It should not be taken lightly, as leaving gastric acid untreated can lead to certain complications.

However, the easiest way to prevent gastric acid reflux can be done by adopting a healthy lifestyle. Before that, you also need to understand the various causes of acid reflux and its risk factors to prevent acid reflux.

The causes of acid reflux and its risk factors are summarized in the points below. Read the complete review below, which has been compiled by kapanlagi.com from various sources.

1. Fatty Foods

(credit: freepik.com)

The first cause of acid reflux can occur due to the consumption of high-fat foods. If you are a fan of fatty foods, you should be cautious in consuming them if you do not want to experience acid reflux. As it is known, high-fat foods can trigger an increase in stomach acid. This is because fatty foods take quite a long time to be processed in the digestive system.

That is why fatty foods can cause the body to experience acid reflux. Acid reflux can also cause heartburn, which is a burning sensation in the chest. Therefore, limiting the consumption of fatty foods may help prevent acid reflux.

2. Excess Weight

(credit: freepik.com)

The cause of acid reflux can occur due to excess weight. The risk of experiencing acid reflux may be higher in those who are overweight. Excess weight is also known as obesity. Excess weight is associated with the problem of acid reflux because it puts pressure on the stomach, triggering acid reflux.

Not only is obesity prone to acid reflux, but it can also cause various health problems such as heart, respiratory, and other digestive disorders. Therefore, maintaining a controlled and normal weight can be done by adopting a healthy lifestyle and regularly engaging in physical activities.

3. Stress

(credit: freepik.com)

The cause of increased stomach acid can also occur due to stress. Stress cannot be underestimated as a common problem, but it can actually trigger certain health disorders, including an increase in stomach acid. This cause may arise because the body may be more sensitive to a small amount of acid or vice versa, which is susceptible to acid.

However, it is not yet known for certain why stress can increase the rise in stomach acid, but it cannot be denied that some people with high levels of stress may experience acid reflux symptoms. Regardless of that, avoiding stress is important to prevent certain health disorders.

4. Large Meal and Lying Down

The cause of increased stomach acid and its risk factors can also occur due to consumption of large meals. Especially if you previously had an empty stomach that had not been filled with food, but immediately consumed a large amount of food. This can trigger stomach acid pain with symptoms such as pain.

The symptoms will be more pronounced if you lie down after eating. Therefore, avoid eating large meals in one sitting and do not lie down after eating. Consulting with a doctor can be considered to determine the exact cause of the rise in stomach acid.

5. Eating Heavy Food Then Lying Down

(credit: freepik.com)

Just like the previous cause, eating heavy food and then lying down can also trigger acid reflux. Not only lying down, but bending over after eating can have a similar effect. Therefore, avoid eating heavy food and then lying down or bending over. Although lying down may feel comfortable, the condition is different when done after eating.

6. Experiencing Hiatal Hernia

The cause of acid reflux can also occur due to the body experiencing hiatal hernia. This health disorder is a condition that occurs when the upper part of the stomach and the LES move above the diaphragm, triggering an increase in stomach acid as reported by doktersehat. As a result, sufferers will experience symptoms such as heartburn, difficulty swallowing, belching, and digestive disorders.

7. Alcoholic, Carbonated, and Caffeinated Drinks

(credit: freepik.com)

The cause of acid reflux can also occur due to certain drinks such as alcohol, soda, and those containing caffeine. Caffeine itself can weaken the muscles in the body, especially in the esophagus leading to the stomach, triggering an increase in stomach acid.

The same goes for soda, which can actually cause digestive problems such as bloating or indigestion, including triggering an increase in stomach acid. Meanwhile, alcohol also has similar effects to soda and caffeine. Therefore, limiting the consumption of these drinks can be done to prevent an increase in stomach acid.

8. Smoking

The compounds in cigarettes can cause various health problems that have a negative impact on the body. One of them is an increase in stomach acid that can occur due to smoking. There is a connection between smoking and an increase in stomach acid, including being at risk for GERD.

A number of people who smoke are even more associated with health problems such as acid reflux and GERD. This can happen because smoking may cause dry mouth and a decrease in saliva production, making them vulnerable to an increase in stomach acid. Starting to limit or even quit smoking can be done to prevent these health problems.

9. Side Effects of Certain Medications

(credit: freepik.com)

Certain medications are known to increase stomach acid in the body. Some of these medications include aspirin, ibuprofen, and blood pressure medications as reported by webmd.com. Consultation with a healthcare professional is necessary if experiencing an increase in stomach acid due to these medications.

10. Elderly Are More Vulnerable

Gastric acid disease is known to be more prone to occur in old age. As it is known, with age, several body functions may decline. One of them is more susceptible to acid reflux disease (GERD). Therefore, maintaining a healthy and fit body at a young age can be implemented as early as possible to prevent health problems in old age.

11. Spicy Foods

(credit: freepik.com)

Foods that should be avoided by people with gastric acid include spicy foods. Spicy food itself is no longer a secret to not be consumed by individuals with high levels of gastric acid.

The capsaicin content in chili is known to slow down digestion. In addition, spicy food can also trigger stomach pain and diarrhea. That is why this food should be avoided by people with gastric acid.

So those are the 11 causes of increased gastric acid and its risk factors. Consultation and examination with a healthcare professional can be considered to prevent gastric acid reflux. In addition, always maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle can be done to keep the body fit.

(kpl/nlw)