GERD: Causes Make an Appointment Refer a Patient Ask a Question Reviewed by Jeffrey B. King, MD (February 01, 2016) Each time you eat, stomach acids are released. Normally the lower esophageal sphincter acts as a guard to prevent stomach acids from backing up into the esophagus. An increase of the pressure in the stomach and/or relaxation of the muscle tone of the sphincter may cause reflux to occur. Factors that cause an increase in pressure are: Full stomach Obesity Lying down Bending forward Pregnancy Tight clothing. Factors that loosen the muscle tone of the valve can be caused by: Pregnancy Nicotine Alcohol, coffee, tea, Chocolate Mint Fatty foods. GERD: Symptoms Clinical Trials For more than 100 years, National Jewish Health has been committed to finding new treatments and cures for diseases. Search our clinical trials.
Reviewed by Jeffrey B. King, MD (February 01, 2016) Each time you eat, stomach acids are released. Normally the lower esophageal sphincter acts as a guard to prevent stomach acids from backing up into the esophagus. An increase of the pressure in the stomach and/or relaxation of the muscle tone of the sphincter may cause reflux to occur. Factors that cause an increase in pressure are: Full stomach Obesity Lying down Bending forward Pregnancy Tight clothing. Factors that loosen the muscle tone of the valve can be caused by: Pregnancy Nicotine Alcohol, coffee, tea, Chocolate Mint Fatty foods. GERD: Symptoms