Acid Reflux, What Causes It

A large, delicious meal with onions, tomatoes, and your other favorite spicy foods may be enjoyable, but you may feel uncomfortable for a long while after eating it.

If you experience a burning sensation in your chest or feel as if your food is coming back up into your throat after eating certain meals, you may be suffering from acid reflux. Chronic acid reflux can significantly impact your quality of life and eventually harm your tissues.

Acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux (GER), occurs when acid from inside your stomach and your stomach contents flow back into your esophagus and throat. This backflow can lead to a burning sensation in the chest, commonly referred to as heartburn.

Your stomach contents are only supposed to travel down, not up, and when acid flows to places that it doesn’t belong, you’re going to feel it, according to the Cleveland Clinic. With acid reflux, the acid irritates and inflames the tissue inside your esophagus, which runs from your stomach up through your chest to your throat.

Frequent occurrences of acid reflux can lead to a condition known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). According to the American Medical Association (AMA), GERD affects about 20 percent of adults in the United States and occurs more often in women than in men, and can increase with age.

Fortunately, medical professionals say that acid reflux is treatable.

“Most acid reflux can be alleviated with changes in behavior,” Dr. Brijen Shah, a gastroenterologist and spokesperson for the American Gastroenterological Association, told USA TODAY. “This can include avoiding certain items such as fried or spicy food, alcohol, tobacco, excessive amounts of chocolate or peppermint. Also, eating large quantities of food can lead to increased acid production and acid reflux. Sometimes, making sure that you sit upright for 60 minutes after eating can also help prevent acid reflux.”

Causes of Acid Reflux

Medical professionals point to the production of excessive acid or a weak lower esophageal sphincter (LES) as the primary cause of acid reflux. The LES is a muscular valve that usually prevents stomach contents from flowing back into the esophagus.

“Acid reflux is either caused by conditions or foods that increase the production of acid or situations or foods which might cause the lower esophageal sphincter to relax excessively, allowing acid and food contents to travel into the esophagus,” Dr. Shah explained to USA TODAY. “We think of acid reflux as a chronic condition that comes and goes.”

Certain foods can increase acid reflux symptoms because they reduce pressure on your LES and slow down stomach emptying. These foods can even make acid reflux symptoms worse, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

Some of the foods and drinks health professionals recommend avoiding if you have GERD include:

• Spicy foods
• Acidic foods, such as citrus fruits and tomatoes
• High-fat foods, such as French fries, creamy salad dressings, and cuts of red meat, such as prime rib
• Dairy foods, such as whole milk, cheese, butter, and ice cream
• Alcoholic drinks
• Chocolate
• Coffee and other sources of caffeine
• Mints, such as peppermint or spearmint
• Garlic and onions

Additionally, health professionals say specific physical and medical issues can cause GERD, such as pregnancy, smoking or, exposure to smoke, or a hiatal hernia, which occurs when the stomach pushes up through the diaphragm and into the chest.

The National Institutes of Health adds that particular prescription and over-the-counter medications and supplements can cause acid reflux symptoms. Some of these include:

• Benzodiazepines, such as Xanax and Valium, which are prescribed to treat anxiety
• Calcium channel blockers, medications that treat angina (chest pain) and certain heart rhythm problems
• Certain asthma medications
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Tricyclic antidepressants
• Iron or potassium supplements

Symptoms of Acid Reflux and GERD

A burning sensation in the chest or stomach is one of the most common symptoms of acid reflux and GERD. The Cleveland Clinic notes that other symptoms may include:

• Backwash or Regurgitation. The feeling that food, acid, or liquids from your stomach are backing up into your throat after eating. You may also have a sour taste of the acid.

• Noncardiac chest pain. Some people experience pain in their esophagus that doesn’t feel like a burning sensation. Esophageal pain activates the same nerves as heart-related pain, which can create a similar feeling.

• Nausea. Acid overflow or backwash may cause queasiness or loss of appetite. Even if you ate some time ago, it might feel like there’s still more food to digest.

• Sore Throat. Your throat might feel sore if acid rises into it. You may feel a lump in your throat or struggle to swallow. Reflux often occurs in the throat at night.

• Asthma symptoms. GERD can trigger asthma-like symptoms, like chronic coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Your airways can contract if acid particles get into them.

Getting Relief from Acid Reflux

Acid reflux is treatable and, in most cases, can be alleviated. For instance, Harvard Medical offered the following suggestions to get relief from the condition:

• Eat small meals more frequently instead of three large meals each day. This is typically referred to as “grazing.” Eating sparingly and slowly helps because when the stomach is full, there can be more reflux into the esophagus.

• Avoid vigorous exercise for at least two hours after eating. An intense workout, particularly one that involves bending over, can push acid into your esophagus. An after-dinner walk, however, should not pose a problem.

• Don’t drink carbonated beverages. These types of beverages can cause burping, which sends acid into the esophagus. Drink flat water instead of sparkling water.

• Don’t go to bed immediately after finishing your meal. Stay up at least three hours before going to bed. When you’re standing or even sitting, gravity alone helps keep acid in the stomach.

• Sleep on an incline. Ideally, your head should be positioned six to eight inches higher than your feet. Try using extra-tall bed risers on the legs that support the head of your bed. You can also try using a foam wedge support for your upper body. Stacking pillows isn’t a good idea because they won’t provide the uniform support you need.

In some cases, medical professionals say that losing weight can reduce the chances of acid reflux if you are overweight or have obesity. Also, surgery may be an option in some cases rather than taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, such as antacids, foaming agents, histamine (H2) blockers, or protein pump inhibitors.

Dr. Shah agrees that making changes in daily behavior can help alleviate acid reflux.

“Acid reflux can be managed by most people if they learn the behavior changes they can make and how to appropriately use over-the-counter medications,” Dr. Shah told USA TODAY.

Source Links:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/health-wellness/2025/04/19/what-causes-acid-reflux/83088647007/
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/acid-reflux-ger-gerd-adults/eating-diet-nutrition
https://www.healthline.com/health/gerd/foods-to-avoid#spicy-foods
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17019-acid-reflux-gerd
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hiatal-hernia/symptoms-causes/syc-20373379
https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/9-ways-to-relieve-acid-reflux-without-medication