Medical Blog

Causes

In general, anything that makes the stomach expand and the pressure in the abdomen increases, an increase in the number of spontaneous relaxations of the lower esophageal sphincter damage, and thus increases the risk of reflux.
Also all the movements of the esophagus or affect the operation of the esophagus sfinkterspier shutdown may lead to reflux symptoms.


It may involve a failure of the muscles themselves (eg aging) and by external causes.

Hernia

To reach the stomach to the esophagus through an opening in the diaphragm pass. This opening is called hiatus. Sometimes protrudes the upper part of the stomach through the hole above the diaphragm or diaphragm out. This is called a gastric rupture (hernia or hiatus hernia).
Such a hernia is very common. Sometimes such a hernia congenital or the result of an injury, but usually no obvious cause can be demonstrated. About half of the over-60s would be sufferers.
Chronic or repeated situations of increased pressure in the abdomen caused by obesity, many pregnancies, often pressing, etc. work the formation of a hernia in his hand. With age also occurs a relaxation of the muscle tension, making a hernia may occur.
In itself such a hernia is not serious. It can cause absolutely no complaints and never noticed.

Other gastrointestinal disorders

Several other gastrointestinal disorders may lead to reflux, such as Crohn's disease, peptic ulcer, cancer ... Obviously, these conditions are treated first.
There is a presumption that Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium that is held responsible for stomach ulcers, may play a protective role against GERD. The systematic eradication of H. Erected with antibiotics would therefore eventually lead to a sharp increase in the number of GERD cases.

• Nutrition
• High-fat meals cause a decrease in sfincterspanning and often causes heartburn and reflux.
• A protein-rich diet improves contrast, the pressure at the lower oesophageal sphincter and is therefore beneficial.
• Carbohydrates have little effect.
• Certain herbs can reduce the sfincterwerking. That is the case with peppermint, garlic, onion and cloves. The same goes for chocolate.
• Citrus drinks, spicy food, prepared with tomatoes and coffee, all food that often the finger be pointed out, however, have no direct effect on the LES pressure and therefore no reflux. But if the esophagus is already irritated or inflamed by frequent reflux, then these products can lead to complaints by the additional irritation they cause.

Alcohol

Alcohol relaxes the muscles of the esophagus and can also irritate the lining of the esophagus. Furthermore, alcohol increases the acidity of the stomach.

Smoking

GERD is more common in smokers. Smoking increases the acid secretion, prevents the secretion of saliva which helps to neutralize the acid and slows down muscles of the esophagus. It is not yet clear whether these effects are caused by nicotine or other substances in the smoke.

Obesity

According to some studies, more frequent and more severe GERD in obese, but this is contradicted by other studies.

Medicines

Some medicines increase the risk of GERD:
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (aspirin, ibuprofen ...). Prolonged use of these drugs, the risk of GERD (and ulcer) and severe complications.
• cardiovascular drugs (calcium blockers to treat high blood pressure)
• some asthma and allergy medications
• medicines for cramps
• sedatives and hypnotics
• antibiotics
• Bisphosphonates (used for osteoporosis).