Home  FAQS What causes my acid reflux?
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There are three reasons:
1. SALIVA lowers the stomach acid pH. With increase in stomach acid, saliva production naturally goes up. People with
stomach acid problems have waterbrash (regurgitation and increase in salivation)_.
2. ESOPHAGEAL PERISTALSIS or in other words swallowing MOVES THE REFLUXED SECRETIONS BACK INTO THE
STOMACH. Hence, the benefit of chewing and swallowing.
3. The existence of a HIGH PRESSURE ZONE at the junction of the esophagus and the stomach which KEEPS THE
STOMACH CLOSED. This zone consists of a 1)sphincter, a 2) diaphragmatic sling and 3) a fascial ligament.
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Let me elaborate about the high pressure zone.
1)The sphincter is a muscle at the bottom of the esophagus (top of the stomach) that relaxes during swallowing and contracts while at rest. It has special innervation and responds to hormones and drugs.
The vagus nerve is involved in both increasing and decreasing the tone of this muscle.
2) A diaphragmatic sling is formed by the attachment of the diaphragm on either side of the esophagus. With inspiration (a deep breath) the pressure increases as the sling pulls the esophagus at the junction of the stomach tighter. With swallowing, the pressure in the zone decreases and the sling formed by the diaphragm also relaxes. Lumbar strain affects the function of this area.
3)There is a fascial ligament that blends with the diaphragm and the end of the esophagus. ( This area is
called the angle of HIS). When the diaphragm is relatively flattened, the angle is less acute and less pressure is generated in this zone. This angle of His is less acute in newborns because of the flattening of the diaphragm.
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