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[T368]The Causes Of Acid Rain

by Peter Wellington, Pet

Those people who suffer with the extreme discomfort caused by acid reflux will ask the obvious question, "what causes acid reflux?" Yet the answer to this question is not so simple for each person is different.

common causes of acid reflux
lower oesophagus sphincter
hiatal hernia
esophageal contractions
emptying of the stomach
over production of acid

The common name for acid reflux is heartburn and this is experienced by the burning sensation behind the breast bone. This pain is caused by the acid in the stomach seeping into the oesophagus. The acid is allowed to reflux into the oesophagus. Even a very slight opening into the oesophagus will allow acid to creep in and the pain were commence. The level of pain depends very much on how much acid is released.

There are several medicinal remedies to control acid production in the stomach. These medicines may very well prevent the production of acid in the gut but the fact remains that whatever liquidity is in the stomach will seep into the oesophagus. There may be no acid to reflux yet reflux will continue.

The lower esophagus sphincter has a specific function and that is to open when a person swallows. Mind you however, the opening should only last for a few seconds it is then meant to close to prevent reflux from taking place. He weakened muscle in this area will allow acid reflux to continue. Another problem is that the lower esophagus sphincter may open for too long. Against this allows acid reflux to happen.

Herniated Hiatal Muscles and its effects on the Diaphragm

The diaphragm is situated on the same level as the lower esophagus sphincter. An hiatal hernia will allow a small section of the stomach to pass through the diaphragm and unfortunately this were forced acid once again into the oesophagus and initiate a horrendous pain associated with the condition.

Many patients who experience problems with the lower oesophagus find that they take longer to empty stomach contents than the average person. The more time it takes for the stomach to empty the more time there is far acid to reflux into the oesophagus.

Over eating can also trigger acid reflux pain. When you over eat when you fill the stomach and there is no room in it. Therefore the acid has to go somewhere and yes you guessed -- it goes back into the oesophagus. A person who suffers into chronic pain of acid reflux will find that over eating and ending and sitting forward while the stomach is full, that they once again experience untenable pain of acid reflux.

What is Acid Reflux? Acid Reflux is also known as GERD, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. So what causes it? Its cause is said to be complex. There almost certainly are numerous causes, and diverse causes may be found in many patients or even in the same individual at various times. It is characterized in that a small number of patients with GERD produce unusually large amounts of stomach acid, but this is unusual and not a contributing factor in most patients.

The causes of Acid Reflux are found in the lower esophageal sphincter, hiatal hernias, emptying of the stomach, and esophageal contractions. The lower esophageal sphincter or (LES) is possibly the most significant factor for preventing reflux. The esophagus is a muscular tube that extends from the lower throat to the stomach. The LES is a particular ring of muscle that surrounds the lower-most end of the esophagus where it connects to the stomach.

The muscle that makes up the LES is constantly in use, constricting and closing off access from the esophagus into the stomach. This closing of the passage prevents reflux. When food or saliva is swallowed, the LES opens for a few seconds to let the food or saliva pass from the esophagus into the stomach, and then it closes up again. For patients with GERD defects of the LES are pretty common.

Two of these defects involve the function of the LES. The first is an unusually weak tightening of the LES, which decreases its capability to avoid stomach acids refluxing into the esophagus. Second is an irregular relaxation of the LES, called transient LES relaxations. Usually, they go in sync with swallowing and pause for a long time, up to a few minutes. As a result, these protracted relaxations permit reflux to take place without difficulty. The temporary LES relaxations occur in patients with GERD most frequently after meals when the stomach is swollen with food. Hiatal hernias add to reflux, even though the way in which they add to the problem is not clear.

Many patients with GERD have hiatal hernias, but others do not. As a result, it is not essential to have a hiatal hernia to have GERD. Additionally, many patients have hiatal hernias but do not have GERD. It is not exactly clear how or why hiatal hernias occur. As mentioned earlier, swallowing is vital to removing acid in the esophagus. Swallowing causes a ring-like wave of tightening of the esophageal muscles, which constricts the inner cavity of the esophagus. This tightening, referred to as peristalsis, starts in the upper esophagus and moves to the lower esophagus. It thrusts food and saliva which is in the esophagus into the stomach.

In patients with Acid Reflux, more than a few abnormalities of contraction have been described. Most reflux during the day takes place after to meal times. This reflux almost certainly is due to transient LES reductions that are caused by distention of the stomach with food.

If you suspect you are suffering from Acid Reflux, you should first consult your primary care physician before taking other steps.

Article Source : Pg. 10

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Both Peter Wellington & Kathryn Whittaker 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.

Peter Wellington has sinced written about articles on various topics from Acid Reflux, Depression Cure and Email Advertising. TREATACID - Peter Wellington writes for , a website providing a compreh. Peter Wellington's top article generates over 8100 views. to your Favourites.

Kathryn Whittaker has sinced written about articles on various topics from Acid Reflux, Pregnancy Problems and Acid Reflux. Kathryn Whittaker has an interest in Health Matters. To find out how you can get more information please visit this related site.. Kathryn Whittaker's top article generates over 18100 views. to your Favourites.