GORD Causes

What causes GORD?

There are a number of things that can contribute to GORD developing, including:

• Genetics – it is thought that this may play a part in the development of GORD. There have been a number of cases where members of the same family suffer from the condition, suggesting it is somehow passed on.
• Hiatus hernia – the top of your stomach bulges up towards the diaphragm.
• Being overweight – this can increase the pressure on your stomach.
• Stress and anxiety - this can affect your body in many different ways, including the way that your digestive tract functions.
• Smoking - chemicals in cigarette smoke can cause the muscles at the base of your oesophagus to relax.
• Medications - some painkillers, antidepressants and other medications can cause symptoms of GORD, or make them worse.
• Spicy or fatty foods – these can aggravate your stomach lining.
• Pregnancy - your growing womb can increase pressure on the stomach, and hormonal changes can also lead to heartburn.
• Caffeine, alcohol, chocolate and fizzy drinks can all lead to the condition.
• Gastroparesis - this is when the stomach acid stays in your stomach for too long, and can move up into your oesophagus.
• Wearing tight clothes – this can restrict the muscles, so they can’t work as they should.

If you are experiencing heartburn and indigestion regularly, and over-the-counter treatment is not helping, it can lead to damage of the oesophagus over a long period of time, so you should speak to a doctor.

At Push Doctor, our GPs are here to help. They can listen to your symptoms, provide you with a stronger treatment if necessary and look into what could be causing the problem to help prevent it in the future.