Like many diseases, you probably never gave acid reflux a thought until the first time it happened to you. Unfortunately, once it happens, it tends to be an issue throughout the rest of your life. So for most people, the process of preventing acid reflux starts after they've already had an episode and they want to minimize their odds of having to go through that awful experience again.

First, let's look at the frightening facts. More than sixty million Americans experience acid reflux at least once per month. Think about that. We're talking about one in every twenty people. Equally as unsettling, approximately twenty-five million Americans experience the discomfort on a daily basis.

If you've suffered from heartburn or acid reflux, you're familiar with the burning sensation near the top of your stomach. This occurs when stomach acid refluxes into the esophagus and irritates the lining. After a while, the more often this occurs the greater the damage done to the lining, the more painful each episode becomes, and the more serious the consequences.

What's The Underlying Cause?

Before you can address how to prevent acid reflux you need to identify the underlying cause. So let's take a look at some of the possibilities.

First, since the esophageal sphincter, the muscle that closes and seals the passageway between the esophagus and the stomach, plays such a substantive role, let's look at that first. When this muscle is working ineffectively and unable to completely seal the passageway, stomach acid will of course spilled over into the esophagus. So a weak or malfunctioning (or even a malformed) sphincter can be the cause behind your acid reflux.

Impaired or malfunctioning stomach muscles are also a possible perpetrator. As A Matter Of Fact, over fifty percent of all acid reflux sufferers have stomach muscles that fail to properly respond to stimuli. As a result, the stomach can be slow to empty and the excessive contents can be forced into the esophagus.

A hiatal hernia can also contribute to acid reflux symptoms. The hiatus is a hole in the diaphragm parting the stomach and esophagus. A hernia takes place when a small part of the stomach protrudes through the hole into the esophagus. While a hiatal hernia does not directly result in acid reflux, it can contribute to the condition.

Not all drugs, but some drugs, can aggravate an acid reflux condition. NSAIDs, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (including recognized brands such as Motrin, Nuprin, Advil, and Aleve), appear to negatively influence this condition. This is according to a recent study that found people who regularly took these medicines were virtually twice as likely to experience symptoms of acid reflux.

Asthma and diabetes are two other potential factors. At least half of all asthma sufferers experience acid reflux, though research hasn't yet determined which disease influences the other. And finally, diabetics often suffer from gastroparesis, a condition that causes a delay in the emptying of the stomach and a spillover of acid into the esophagus.

Preventing Acid Reflux

There are a variety of tests (such as a pH test, barium x-rays, an upper endoscopy, or a Pill Cam Eso) that can help determine the magnitude of the problem and identify any abnormalities.

Assuming there is no physical malformation responsible, then the best medicine is an ounce of prevention. Here are five tips to get you started immediately in controlling your acid reflux ...

- Modify your eating habits. By eating smaller meals and eating more often throughout the day, you can reduce the stress on the esophageal sphincter and decrease your chances of a another episode. It also helps to eat your last meal of the day at least three hours before you go to bed.

- Sleep on an incline, with your upper body raised above your waist. This helps to prevent stomach acid from rising into the esophagus. There are specially made pillows that can aid in keeping you comfortable while your torso is elevated throughout the night.

- If you're taking aspirin or ibuprofen regularly for headaches or other aches and pains, try swapping pain relievers. Both of these medications can irritate your stomach and cause an acid reflux response serious enough to cause you to wake up at night. Try hot or cold packs, or meditation or relaxation exercises in place of these popular pain medications.

- Keep track of the foods you eat and how they affect your condition. Dairy foods, acidic vegetables, citrus fruits and juices, and caffeinated drinks can all aggravate your acid reflux. Once you find out which foods bother you, weed them out of your diet.

- Lose weight. The heavier you are, the more stress your body places on the esophageal sphincter, particularly at night. Dropping those pounds will remove the stress and dramatically reduce your odds of future acid reflux episodes.