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The severity of the acid reflux depends on three factors:
• The LES’ muscular tone
• The type and quantity of liquid that refluxes from the stomach
• The natural ability of the esophagus muscles to cleanse the bottom of the esophagus.
It’ s interesting to note that with most individuals who suffer from acid reflux, the concentration of acid within the stomach’ s content liquid is much higher than with people who don’ t experience reflux. Moreover, it has been found that among heartburn sufferers, the acidic liquid of the stomach comes into contact with the lining of the esophagus and stays there longer than it does among non-reflux sufferers.
To protect itself from prolonged damage to the esophagus, the body uses the effect of the saliva, which contains water, electrolytes, enzymes and mucus to neutralize the damage to the esophagus inflicted by the acid reflux. Moreover, during waking hours when the body is in an upright position, the force of gravity pushes the liquids back into the stomach.
However, at night as the body produces less saliva, the lack of swallowing due to the body’ s position and as gravity works against us, the reflux liquids stay longer in the esophagus, increasing the damage and injury to the lining of the esophagus.
Interestingly, although there seems to be a clear genetic tendency to develop heartburn, such as having a weak LES or hiatal hernia( an oversized opening in the diaphragm that makes it easier for the stomach content to reflux – more on that later), researchers have clearly shown that many heartburn sufferers don’ t have a weaker LES or necessarily suffer from a hiatal hernia. Moreover, many hiatal hernia sufferers have no reflux symptoms at all.
It seems that the real cause lies more in the lifestyle choices that we make than in our genetic predisposition. It’ s a known fact that medications and
Jeff Martin – Heartburn No More Page 26