At some time in your life, you will experience acid reflux or stomach problems. Acid reflux occurs when some of the highly acidic stomach content flows back into the esophagus. By understanding the workings of the esophagus and its control valve, the LES, you can make better decisions on how to deal with any stomach disturbances or with acid reflux.
The esophagus is a muscular channel or tube that runs from the back of the throat to the upper part of your stomach. This channel surface is covered with smooth delicate cells called ?epithelial cells? The muscles along the esophagus start contracting as food enters the esophagus and propels the food downward toward your stomach. These contractions are called peristalsis. It takes about 5 ? 10 seconds for food that you swallow to travel through the esophagus and reach your stomach.
At the end of the esophagus is a closed valve call ?Lower Esophageal Sphincter? or LES. This valve or LES relaxes when food reaches it and opens to let food into your stomach. Once food passes through, it closes tightly so that food cannot travel back up or reflux. It is important for this valve to open and close only to let food flow in one direction, into the stomach.
When you have acid reflux, food and acid from the stomach flows back up into the esophagus causing a burning sensation. When acid reflux or heartburn occurs a few times, this is not a serious issue. But, when it occurs over a long period, then it is possible that an esophageal ulcer or cancer can develop.
The closing pressure of the LES value at its resting point is about 20 mm of mercury. When you eat food a signal is sent to the LES valve to open and allow food swallowed to pass into the stomach. As the stomach contracts to process new food, the LES closes to protect the esophagus from harsh stomach acids.
Every once in a while the LES valve might have a decrease closing pressure. The LES valve relaxes beyond normal and the pressure from the stomach gases are enough to open it. When this happens, food and stomach acid can reflux back into the esophagus. This abnormal momentary decrease in LES pressure is called ?Transicent LES Relaxations or TLESRs. The amount of times TLESRs happen varies from person to person and researchers are not sure why this happens. Those people who have more frequent TLESRs are more susceptible to acid reflux or heartburn.
It seems to me that these TLESRs can be an interruption or weakening of your defense mechanism or immune system. It is these systems that are responsible for protecting you from disruptions in your body functions. But when physical or emotional forces place a load on your defense and immune systems, not enough energy is available to keep valves shut or valves open as required for normal body functioning.
The simple opening and closing of the LES value is required for good health. Eating excess food or mixing many foods at one meal can increase the pressure in the stomach forcing the LES to open. Your TLESRs times are affected by your eating habits and by your immune system strength. Learn how to eat properly and learn what foods keep your LES valve strong and healthy. These two topics will be covered in additional articles.
Therefore, a person who chooses to eat food, which has high levels of acidity in them, will find that the situation is exacerbated further. This is because they are increasing the levels of acid in their stomach that is resulting in the reflux action and the liquid in which the acid is contained being able to get into the esophagus tube.
One cause that will often result in a person who will suffer from acid reflux is that they dietary habits are extremely poor. As mentioned above they will choose to eat foods, which have high levels of acidity in them. Fatty foods and also fried foods can further exacerbate the condition and symptoms associated with this particular stomach complaint.
One other reason why some people are likely to suffer more with this stomach problem than others is those who eat more food than their body actually requires. The more a person eats the more acid their stomach needs to produce in order to breakdown and digest what is contained within it. But over time, they will find that their stomach is unable to cope with the demands being placed on it and food will eventually not be passed through as quickly and which allows acid the chance to escape in to the esophagus.
Another cause for why certain people will suffer with acid reflux disease compared to others is in relation to their weight. Certainly, there is evidence that is now showing there is a connection with a person who is overweight or obese and who suffers from acid reflux.
Many people believe that because the body is carrying this additional weight it is in fact placing added pressure on to that person's stomach and esophagus. Then over time, the valve that lies between the base of the esophagus and the entrance to the stomach weakens and once weak it cannot prevent the regurgitation of liquid from the stomach.
Along with the acid reflux causes that we have mentioned above there are other things that can contribute to this stomach problem. Certainly, people who smoke, drink alcohol regularly, have any kind of food allergy or are taking certain medications are also susceptible to having deal with this acid reflux issues.
Before you can actually treat acid reflux, it is important that you first find out what is actually causing the problem in the first place. The only really way of finding out what acid reflux causes are the ones which are exacerbating the problem is by seeking medical advice. Not only will a doctor be able to discover what is the cause but will be able to provide you with the right course of treatment to help bring the problem under control.
Both Rudy Silva & Bart R are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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