Common Causes of GERD

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, commonly known as GERD, is one of the most common chronic conditions in the world today. This is typically defined as experiencing reflux frequently and for a long period of time, at least a few weeks and several times per week.

There are a lot of common causes to GERD, although typically it is a combination of some or all of the factors below:

1. Excessive or Regular Alcohol Use

Out of everything on the list, alcohol is probably the only thing that can single-handedly lead to clinical GERD, even in otherwise healthy individuals of an appropriate weight. Even young individuals who abuse alcohol will develop GERD. Nearly every alcoholic has GERD.

A night of binge drinking may lead to heartburn for a few days, and if this is done once a week, it can end up as GERD. Drinking causes a lot more health problems than most people would care to admit, especially when done on a daily basis, or in excess once every week or two.

2. Obesity

Obesity is another top cause of acid reflux. In particular, obesity likes to team up with some of the other factors (such as food intolerance, smoking, and alcohol use). Think of obesity as a catalyst; people who are overweight are much more susceptible to heartburn if they drink, smoke, or eat something that upsets their stomach.

3. Smoking

As alluded to above, cigarettes and tobacco both can lead to increased rates of acid reflux. The problem with smoking is that it inflames tissues all over the body, including the stomach and esophagus, making acid reflux likely to occur. Nicotine is also a stimulant and can cause heartburn much like caffeine.

4. Food Intolerance

For many of us, heartburn is triggered by certain foods to which we have an intolerance to. This could be a common heartburn food or it could be a learned aversion. For example, if you ate a food and then got food poisoning, it is possible that that same food then will lead to acid reflux and dyspepsia the next time you consume it. Many people do not realize that food aversions have taken place and continue to eat foods around when they got sick.


Be sure to avoid the foods that bother you, quit smoking and drinking, and lose weight, and at least 90% of the people reading this post would not even have to deal with GERD.

If you think you might have GERD, you should check out this youtube:



Many people who have chronic coughing and wheezing, they may have GERD rather than asthma. Quite interesting!