Acid Reflux Risk Factors

1. Eating pattern- to have heavy meals and subsequently lies on back or bends over from the waist is at risk for attack heartburn, also snacks at bedtime is high risk for heartburn.

2. Pregnancy- pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to heartburn in their third trimesters the growing uterus puts increase pressure on the stomach. Heartburn in such cases is often resistant to dietary intervention and even antacids.

3. Obesity- obesity contribute to GERD may increase the risk for erosive esophagitis in GERD patients. Increased body mass index (BMI) is associated with increased risk for cancer of the esophagus.

4. Respiratory diseases- People with asthma are at very high risk for GERD. Study indicated that patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (chronic Bronchitis) were more likely to have GERD.

5. Smoking- increasing evidence indicates that smoking increases the risk for GERD. Studies suggest that smoking reduces LES muscle function, increase acid secretion, impairs muscle reflexes in the throat, and damages protective mucus membranes. Smoking reduces salivation which helps neutralizes acid. Whether it is smoke, nicotine, or both triggers GERD.

6. Alcohol use - it has mixed effects on GERD. It relaxes the LES muscle and, in high amounts, may irritate the mucous membrane of esophagus. All alcoholic beverages increases stomach acid levels. A combination of heavy alcohol and smoking increases the risk for esophageal cancer.

Suffers should choose the kinds of foods and drinks which have little risk of causing acid reflux, while some kinds of foods or drinks should be avoided as they are major heartburn triggers. Thus, to minimize the risk factor one should visit doctor who recommends treatments that are applicable for individual, rather than simply providing information about disease itself.