Acid reflux commonly occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter (LA) does not work properly and allows acid to seep up from the stomach into the esophagus. Although we know that a defective LES is a common cause, we are not sure why it becomes guilty. One of the many reasons could be that the pressure in the stomach rises higher than the LES can support.

Here are some common causes of acid reflux:

• Pregnancy - most commonly during the third trimester of pregnancy. As the growing baby presses on the stomach contents can back up into the esophagus. Doctors say that antacids do not relieve acid reflux during pregnancy. Patients find that eating smaller meals but eating more meals a day helps. In most cases the acid reflux will disappear shortly after birth.

• Large meals and eating habits - people who have great meals usually find that their acid reflux will improve if they cut portion sizes. Patients who maintained a food diary, writing down everything I ate and linking certain foods to cases of acid reflux, have experienced a reduction of acid reflux.

• He leans forward - this movement does not usually cause acid reflux unless another trigger or underlying problem.

• Hiatus hernia (hiatal hernia) - a condition at the top of the stomach protrudes into the chest through a small opening in the diaphragm. Hiatal hernias are caused by severe coughing, vomiting, exertion, sudden physical exertion, pregnancy, and obesity.

• Peptic ulcers and insufficient digestive enzymes - peptic ulcers and not enough digestive enzymes in the stomach can slow the digestive process, causing a buildup of stomach acid to rise into the esophagus.

• Asthma - experts still argue about which came first, asthma or acid reflux - had asthma causes acid reflux or acid reflux does not cause asthma? Nobody has a definitive answer to the relationship between asthma and acid reflux. Some say that coughing and sneezing caused by asthma attacks can cause changes in the breast that trigger acid reflux. Others blame asthma medications - are taken to dilate the airways, but could also relax the esophageal sphincter.

Most asthma sufferers say that their asthma is aggravated by acid reflux because the acid that leaks into the esophagus from the stomach stimulates the nerves along the neck in the chest, causing bronchial constriction and breathing problems.

• Smoking - Research has shown that the saliva of smokers contain lower levels of bicarbonate, which neutralizes acids. Smoking also reduces the production of saliva. Smoking also stimulates the production of stomach acid weakens the esophageal sphincter, promoting the movement of bile salts in the intestine to the stomach (making more harmful acids), and slows digestion (causing the pressure in the stomach last longer time because it takes longer to empty).

• Alcohol - have commented that patients stop drinking or reduce consumption significantly improved symptoms.