Acid reflux can have  multiple causes and they may not be the same for every sufferer. Some people may experience the problem for  a variety of causes while another person may  have one specific cause. Even though it is rare , some individuals  have digestive systems that produce larger proportions of acid than average.

The main causes of acid reflux may be the lower esophageal sphincter, hiatal hernias, esophageal contractions and possibly, the rate at which the stomach empties itself of food.

Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES)

The esophagus is a muscular  tube that runs from the lower portion of the throat into the stomach. Sometimes you may hear it referred to as the food tube. The LES is a muscular ring at the end of the esophagus where it connects with the stomach. The LES is constantly contracting and stopping food from leaving the esophagus and moving into the stomach.

There are a number of problems that can afflict the LES, and cause acid reflux. One situation is where the  contracting action of the LES is weak. Yet another  problem is known as transient LES relaxations. This is caused when the LES has abnormal relaxations and  relaxes too much.

Hiatal Hernia 

A hiatal hernia could  be caused by acid reflux or it could be  made worse by it. The exact connection between the two is not presently completely understood as it is possible to have one and not the other. Those who suffer from a hiatal hernia will have a small portion of the upper part of the stomach that is connected to the esophagus shoved up through the diaphragm. The diaphragm  serves as a divider between the chest and the abdominal area.

When a person suffers from this kind of hernia, the entry from the esophagus to the stomach is no longer in the right place and therefore reflux prevention becomes more and more difficult.

Esophageal Contractions

Swallowing brings about contractions which start in the upper half of the esophagus and continue down into the lower half. The swallowing plays an important role in getting rid of acid in the esophagus. Consequently anything such as food, acid or saliva that is in the esophagus is pushed down into the stomach.

When the contracting action of the esophagus is not working well acid will be pushed upward towards the throat and mouth rather than downward  into the stomach. Any number of problems can cause esophageal contractions to be defective and this problem is made even worse if a person smokes.

Stomach Emptying

Approximately 20 percent of people who suffer from acid reflux do so because their stomachs empty at a rate that is considered to be abnormally slow. Because food takes longer to be digested, the span of time in which reflux can occur is prolonged and becomes more likely.

If you are suffering from acid reflux there are temporary measures to reduce the burning sensation, not so commonly known is the use of a liquid zeolite called Natural Cellular defense by Waiora. Testimonials such as the following are fairly common.

"Hi.  My name is Linda and I use liquid zeolite. I, for years, have had a problem with acid reflux and been on a prescription called Acidflex to help me with it. Ever since I have been on the zeolite my acid reflux has completely gone away and I no longer have to take the prescription.  do take a lot of this company's other products, which I greatly love and they have improved my health a lot. I love the company and I love the products. Thank you."