Every day, countless people suffer from an uncomfortable and potentially harmful condition called acid reflux. Due to poor diet and lifestyle choices, acid reflux is a very common occurrence, but it is easily preventable.

Acid reflux affects at least thirty five percent of all overweight people, and is a serious issue for a vast majority of the general population. By understanding the condition, every one of these people will have the power to avoid triggering the effects of acid reflux.

* Heartburn due to acid reflux affects more than sixty million Americans at least once per month; that's about one fifth of the entire population of the United States. Approximately twenty five million Americans, or one twelfth of the total American population, will experience the harmful effects of acid reflux and/or heartburn every single day.

* Heartburn is technically "incurable"; however, there are steps that can take to help offset your chances of developing the condition. If you worry that you are at risk for an acid reflux condition, it's important to review the types of foods that you're presently eating, and then take steps to change your habits. Fewer acid-creating foods means fewer acid reflux attacks.

* Drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes are known contributors to acid reflux. Smoking on a regular basis will increase the levels of acidity in the stomach. Certain levels of acid are normally present in the stomach, but smoking causes naturally-occurring reflux to create more damage to the esophagus. Nicotine will also cause the lower esophageal sphincter muscles to relax. When these muscles are in a relaxed state, acid reflux will occur. Further, alcohol use will weaken the lower esophageal sphincter, allowing reflux to creep into the esophagus.

* While all individuals are at risk of suffering with acid reflux, certain groups face a higher likelihood of developing this painful condition. Overweight people, for example, are at greater risk. While sleeping, the weight of the abdomen causes extra pressure on the stomach. This excess pressure will weaken the lower esophageal sphincter, and acid reflux will occurs. Similarly, expectant mothers will experience pressure on the stomach created by the fetus. Elderly men and women also face a higher risk, and are advised to lower their occurrences of acid reflux by monitoring their dietary and lifestyle habits.

* Left untreated, acid reflux can contribute to more serious consequences. A consistent condition will cause acid to be continuously present in the throat. Among the major medical consequences caused by acid reflux are esophageal strictures, Barrett's esophagus, erosive esophagitis, and esophageal cancer in the most extreme and rare cases.

* Acid reflux can affect not only your physical health, but your mental well being as well. Roughly eighty percent of all acid reflux sufferers will experience symptoms of the disease at night. In about seventy five percent of these cases, the person will actually wake up because of his or her heartburn. This interrupted sleep can cause serious daytime problems including increased irritability and lack of concentration, which may lead to decreased productivity at work and even motor vehicle accidents.

If you suffer from acid reflux, prevention is your best medicine. By learning more about the disease, you'll have greater power to control the effects, or even prevent acid reflux altogether.