The LES muscle
Common food triggers
Weight, stress, and other factors
The LES muscle
The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is the “valve” between the stomach and the esophagus. The LES
opens to let food pass into the stomach and closes tightly after food has passed. When the LES does
not stay closed after the food has passed through, acid and stomach contents may back up (reflux) into
the esophagus.
Watch a video about the LES muscle's role in acid reflux.
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Common food triggers
Certain foods can trigger heartburn. Some common triggers are:
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Spicy foods
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Fried foods
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Fatty foods
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Tomato-based foods (e.g., pizza, pasta sauce, salsa)
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Citrus fruits and juices
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Onions and garlic
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Chocolate
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Mint flavorings
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Caffeinated drinks
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Alcoholic drinks
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Coffee and tea (caffeinated or decaffeinated)
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Soda and other carbonated drinks
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Weight, stress, and other factors
There are lifestyle factors other than food that can make heartburn worse,
including:
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Being overweight
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Smoking
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Stress
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Overeating (eating too much at one time)
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Wearing tight clothing that puts pressure on your stomach
Even if you take NEXIUM for your acid reflux disease, it's still a good idea to
avoid trigger foods and to change habits that can worsen your acid reflux disease symptoms.
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