| If you're one of the many people who suffers | | | | way; in through the mouth and back out lower |
| from the less than pleasant acid reflux, known in | | | | down. Under these conditions, digestion happens |
| medical circles as gastroesophageal reflux disease, | | | | correctly, with no acid reflux. It therefore doesn't |
| then you'd probably like to know what causes it. | | | | take a genius to work out that when it's not |
| Don't trust everything you hear, some people will | | | | working properly acid reflux is likely to happen, so |
| tell you things like it's caused by too much fat - | | | | next time you get heartburn, impress your mates |
| this is complete rubbish. There are many causes, | | | | and tell them its your lower oesophageal sphincter. |
| but just four common ones. The following article | | | | In fact they probably don't want to know, but |
| discusses how the lower oesophageal sphincter | | | | you'd probably like to know exactly how it |
| can cause acid reflux. | | | | malfunctions. |
| Firstly, unless you're a doctor, you're probably | | | | Two ways it happens, very simple. One is where |
| wondering what the lower oesophageal sphincter | | | | it doesn't fully close, the other where it takes too |
| is. It's a small band of muscle that lies around the | | | | long to contract, both allowing acid to get through. |
| oesophagus where it joins the stomach. It relaxes | | | | After a large meal, slow contraction will happen in |
| and widens to allow food to pass down, and | | | | everyone, so even people who wouldn't normally |
| under normal conditions it contracts to close off | | | | have acid reflux will suffer a tiny bit. |
| the stomach in order to prevent food, or anything | | | | Remember to also check out the other three |
| else swimming around down there, from moving | | | | common causes of acid reflux. Do bear in mind |
| back up. It's sort of like turnstiles at the | | | | though that problems with the lower oesophageal |
| fairground, you're only allowed through one way, | | | | sphincter are a very common cause, and that if |
| unless they're broken. | | | | you have more acid reflux than usual after big |
| When it's working correctly, food just goes one | | | | meals, this could well be the cause. |