Between 14 and 52% of the world’s population suffers from acid reflux.
Since numerous studies have revealed the life-threatening side effects of heartburn medications, it’s important to identify the lifestyle factors that cause it. Avoid these factors, and your acid reflux will be gone.
A new study in BMC Gastroenterology reveals some important lifestyle factors that were previously overlooked.
The authors of this study recruited 846 students in 2021.
They used a questionnaire to obtain information about the students’ eating habits, lifestyles, demographics, and acid reflux symptoms.
They made the following discoveries.
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1. 32.1% of the participants experienced acid reflux symptoms.
2. 45.5% reported heartburn, 40.4% had regurgitation, 39% had sleep disturbance due to symptoms, and 18.2% reported that they used medication for symptom relief in the previous week.
3. Surprisingly, those between the ages of 20 and 25 were 74% more likely to suffer from it than older people.
4. Women experienced a 67% higher risk.
5. Those who used anti-pain medication increased their risk by a factor of almost 1.5.
6. Soft drink consumers had a 58% higher risk.
7. Participants living in rural areas were 33% more likely to have acid reflux symptoms.
8. Fast-food consumption, smoking, skipping breakfast, and coffee and tea consumption were all risk factors for acid reflux.
9. Alcohol use had no effect.
This study differed from previous ones in interesting ways.
First, the risk is usually assumed to increase with age, but in this study, the risk was found to be higher among younger students. The researchers guessed that this may have been because of unhealthier lifestyles (smoking, for example) and the stress caused by academic pressure. Stress has been associated with a higher risk of acid reflux symptoms.
Second, urban dwellers are usually thought to be more likely to have acid reflux, not less so, as in this study. The researchers explained this finding by arguing that urban residents have better sources of healthy-living information and better access to healthcare.
All of these considerations are worth keeping in mind when you want to avoid acid reflux. While there isn’t much you can do about your age, sex, and area of residence, you can keep your lifestyle healthy and try to control your stress.