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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