5 things you should know about acid reflux

This story was originally titled "Acid Reflux" in the December 2008 issue. Subscribe to Canadian Living today and never miss an issue!

Acid reflux – that familiar burning pain in the chest under the breastbone – is a common complaint, especially during this holiday season of feasting.

While occasional heartburn is nothing to worry about, persistent episodes are a red flag that should prompt you to seek medical attention, says Dr. Lawrence Cohen, the director of the division of gastroenterology at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto.

Here's what you need to know about acid reflux.

1. Acid reflux occurs when stomach contents flow back into the esophagus.
Food, acid, bile and other secretions back up into the esophagus instead of going out the duodenum, the short portion of the small intestine that connects to the stomach. The problem might be a faulty lower esophageal sphincter (the gatelike mechanism that opens and closes to help us swallow). Or stomach ulcers or tumours may be to blame.

2. Acid reflux is more common among the overweight and those over 40.
The mechanism that prevents acid reflux deteriorates as you age. Excess weight puts extra pressure on the stomach and diaphragm, forcing open the lower esophageal sphincter and allowing stomach contents to back up into the esophagus.

Acid reflux is also more common among females. Women who are pregnant may be at increased risk because of the greater pressure being put on the stomach and a higher
production of the hormone progesterone, which relaxes the esophageal sphincter.

3. Smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol may increase your chances of getting acid reflux.
These habits tend to relax the lower esophageal sphincter. Other risk factors include:
• drinking coffee and eating mints after a meal (again, they relax the esophageal sphincter);
• eating fatty foods (since it takes the stomach longer to digest fat, the emptying of the stomach is delayed, causing stomach acid to build up and back up into the esophagus); and
• lying down soon after eating.

Page 1 of 2 - find out what you can do to treat acid reflux on page 2