Reflux risk factors

There are several risk factors that make reflux more likely or which speed up its course:

Overweight and obesity

Being overweight or obese can make gastro-oesophageal reflux more likely and more severe

Taking medicines

Using non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) can make the reflux syndrome more acute

Smoking

The nicotine in cigarettes can have a negative effect on gastro-oesophageal reflux

Stress

Stress can make the symptoms of gastric reflux more severe

Hiatus hernia

Hiatus hernia occurs when part of the stomach slides into the chest through an opening in the diaphragm (diaphragm hiatus) causing chest pain and other reflux symptoms in some cases

Food and drink

Some food and drink, such as spicy food, drinks with caffeine and high-fat foods can make reflux syndrome more likely or more severe

Pregnancy

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease is very common in pregnant women. This may be due to hormonal changes and the increased pressure on the stomach as the foetus grows. The symptoms often appear during the first three months of pregnancy and stop after the birth