Heartburn and Reflux For Dummies
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Risk factors make it more likely you’ll get reflux, but it’s not a certainty. As a basic rule, the risk factors for heartburn and reflux fit neatly into one of three basic categories:

Risk Factors You Can’t Change
Your sex
Your body shape
Your family history
Risk Factors You Can Make Less Risky
Medical conditions (such as asthma) that may trigger reflux
Medicines that upset your stomach
Risk Factors You Can Eliminate
Bedtime snacking
Being stressed
Being overweight
Irritating foods and beverages
Lack of moderate exercise
Smoking
Very large meals

About This Article

This article is from the book:

About the book authors:

Carol Ann Rinzler writes a nutrition column for the New York Daily News and has authored more than 20 books.

Ken DeVault, MD, is coauthor of the American College of Gastroenterology's official guideline statements on the diagnosis and treatment of GERD.

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