GERD Risk Factors That Must Be Considered and Dealt With

Discover in this article what risks may lie in wait for you with this Illness

The common denominator in GERD (gastro esophageal reflux disease) is the loss of strength of the muscle of the lower esophageal sphincter. The other common factor concerning GERD is heartburn. Many further distinct factors may be encountered. These include breathing disorders such as asthma, excessive weight, diabetes, expecting a baby, stomach contents being retained for too long, connective tissue disorders and hernias that are hiatal.

Here are some other factors increasing the risk levels

GERD can come about when the stomach protrudes in such a way as to impinge on the lower esophageal sphincter muscle. In this case a portion of the stomach extends beyond normal boundaries to move into the lower chest, because of a hernia that may be hiatal or diaphragmatic in nature. Gastric contents flow back into the esophageal channel, and this leads to serious heartburn.

Being overweight can also increase pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter causing problems and pushing stomach matter back into the esophageal cavity where it creates heartburn. GERD can therefore also be the result of excessive body weight. To avoid GERD, lose extra and undesirable pounds. These excess pounds pressure the stomach as well as the diaphragm that lies between the stomach and the abdomen.

Risk factors from lifestyle and bad diet habits

Risk of GERD will also come from abuses of smoking, drinking or eating. A negative impact will also be engendered by a sub-optimal lifestyle and diet habits.

Experience also indicates that asthmatic respiratory and coughing problems increase the risk of GERD by boosting the pressure on the stomach. Asthma is also contributes indirectly because the medicaments that are used by doctors to enlarge the air intake also have a laxative effect on the lower esophageal sphincter muscle. This then leads to the back flow of gastric matter up to the esophageal cavity.

The danger grows greater still when pregnancy is a factor, as this boosts the production of progesterone, a hormone with laxative effect on several muscles, including that of the lower esophageal sphincter. The stomach is also under increased pressure during pregnancy. There may be considerably more danger of GERD for pregnant women therefore.

Getting to the real reason for GERD

This is where holistic solutions are much better adapted for results, as they focus in the true causes to arrest or even banish GERD. Although classical medicine attempts to treat GERD, any lasting benefit only comes with a holistic program. Conventional drugs unfortunately do nothing but target the symptoms, without resolving any of the basic, causal elements.

So adopting a holistic point of view is essential in order to handle all of the aspects involved. GERD is complex and the causative agents are multiple, including genetically transmitted characteristics, bad diets, irresponsible lifestyles and even candida infections. This is why the holistic remedies are the solution of choice for eliminating GERD.

Jeff Martin is a medical researcher, certified nutritionist, health consultant and author of the #1 best-selling e-book, "Heartburn No More- Open The Door To an Acid Reflux Free Life". Jeff has written dozens of holistic health articles and has been featured in ezines and print magazines, as well as on hundreds of websites worldwide.

To Learn More About Jeff Martin´s Unique 5-Step Holistic Acid Reflux Cure System Visit: Heartburn No More.

For further information visit: Acid Reflux.