Causes of Acid Reflux Disease

The LES muscle
Common food triggers
Weight, stress, and other factors

 

The LES muscle

The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is the “valve” between the stomach and the esophagus. The LES opens to let food pass into the stomach and closes tightly after food has passed. When the LES does not stay closed after the food has passed through, acid and stomach contents may back up (reflux) into the esophagus.

Watch a video about the LES muscle's role in acid reflux.

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Common food triggers

Certain foods can trigger heartburn. Some common triggers are:

  • Spicy foods
  • Fried foods
  • Fatty foods
  • Tomato-based foods (eg, pizza, pasta sauce, salsa)
  • Citrus fruits and juices
  • Onions and garlic
  • Chocolate
  • Mint flavorings
  • Caffeinated drinks
  • Alcoholic drinks
  • Coffee and tea (caffeinated or decaffeinated)
  • Soda and other carbonated drinks

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Weight, stress, and other factors

There are lifestyle factors other than food that can make heartburn worse, including:

  • Being overweight
  • Smoking
  • Stress
  • Overeating (eating too much at one time)
  • Wearing tight clothing that puts pressure on your stomach

Even if you take NEXIUM for your acid reflux disease, it's still a good idea to avoid trigger foods and to change habits that can worsen your acid reflux disease symptoms.

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Next: Damage

NEXIUM is prescribed to treat the symptoms of acid reflux disease, which typically include persistent heartburn on 2 or more days per week, despite treatment and change of diet.

For many people, NEXIUM is also prescribed to heal damage to the esophagus called erosive esophagitis. This damage may be caused over time from stomach acid wearing away the lining of the esophagus. Only a doctor can diagnose this condition. With NEXIUM, most erosions heal in 4 to 8 weeks. Your results with NEXIUM may vary.

In children 1 to 17 years of age, side effects with NEXIUM include headache, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, and sleepiness. In adults 18 and older, side effects with NEXIUM include headache, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

Symptom relief does not rule out the presence of other serious stomach conditions.

Please read the Important Product Information and discuss it with your doctor or health care professional.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.