Just what Does Cause Acid Reflux?

It was interesting to see that the much respected Dr Mercola recently commented on the fact that acid reflux is caused by too little stomach acid rather than too much.
Readers of my writings on this site may recall that I suggested the same thing quite a few years back…(before hundreds of pages of my thoughts on reflux on my initial site were lost in a cyber black hole!)

Some of Dr Mercolas comments are below and reinforce my thinking from years ago.

It’s important to understand that acid reflux is NOT a disease of too much acid being produced, but rather it’s a condition related more commonly to hiatal hernia – a condition in which the acid is coming out of your stomach, where it’s supposed to remain.

After food passes through your esophagus into your stomach, a muscular valve called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) closes, preventing food or acid to move back up. Gastroesophageal reflux occurs when the LES relaxes inappropriately, allowing acid from your stomach to flow (reflux) backward into your esophagus.

Heartburn is the primary symptom of acid reflux; a burning sensation that radiates up from your stomach to your chest and throat. It’s typically most bothersome at night, and tends to occur in connection with certain activities, such as:

*
After eating a heavy meal
*
Bending over
*
Lifting
*
Lying down, especially when laying on your back

Other symptoms include:

* Hoarseness
* A feeling that food is stuck in your throat
* Tightness in your throat
* Wheezing
* Asthma
* Dental problems
* Bad breath