no one knows why people get gerd. a hiatal hernia may contribute. a hiatal hernia occurs when the upper part of the stomach is above the diaphragm the muscle wall that separates the stomach from the chest. the diaphragm helps the les keep acid from coming up into the esophagus. when a hiatal hernia is present it is easier for the acid to come up. in this way a hiatal hernia can cause reflux. a hiatal hernia can happen in people of any age; many otherwise healthy people over 50 have a small one. other factors that may contribute to gerd include alcohol use overweight pregnancy smoking also certain foods can be associated with reflux events including citrus fruits chocolate drinks with caffeine fatty and fried foods garlic and onions mint flavorings spicy foods tomato-based foods like spaghetti sauce chili and pizza
what causes gerd?