Gastroesophageal reflux disease, also called GERD is one of the most common digestive disorders. It is like constantly living with heartburn. From the food you eat to lifestyle habits, there could be several triggers that make the condition worse. So, what really helps is to know about the risk factors and correct them before it gets severe. Here are five of the most common risk factors of GERD.  

1. Obesity
One of the main risk factors of consistent heartburn would be obesity. It not just increases the risks but also makes the condition worse. In some people, being overweight could be one reason why this condition simply does not go away. The problem is especially when your waist circumference increases drastically. If you have a lot of stubborn belly fat, this could put unwanted pressure on the stomach and digestive tract. Subesquently, the esophagus is affected by stomach acid moving up.

2. Pregnancy
In some women, GERD could be a temporary condition. What starts as mild heartburn in the first trimester turns into a full-blown gastroesophageal reflux disease as the baby grows. The growing belly makes the acid reflux condition worse. The problem often gets better once you lose the pregnancy weight and get back in shape.

3. Hernia
A few types of hernia like the hiatal hernia leads to significant bulge in the stomach region. Even before the actual symptoms of hernia pop up, people with this condition might experience heartburn and discomfort after meals.

4. Unhealthy Habits
Certain vices like be major triggers for heartburn. GERD risks increase significantly in people who have such habits. Chain and early smokers are at higher risks. Smoking only worsens the condition in people with digestion troubles. This is mainly because of the effects of nicotine in the body. This ingredient has the ability to make the lower esophageal muscles relax too much. As a result, they do not efficiently prevent the upward flow of stomach acids and this results in heartburn. Even passive smokers or people who are exposed to the smoke from cigarettes too often are at risk.

5. Scleroderma and Other Conditions
Some health conditions like scleroderma are known to significantly improve the risks of chronic digestive disorders. This is mainly because the muscles in the gastrointestinal tract are also affected by this condition. Thus, they cannot stop the stomach acids from flowing upward. Sometimes it could also be because the stomach acids remain in the stomach for a really long time.

When it comes to GERD, it is all about managing the symptoms and preventing the condition from getting worse. Eating healthy and staying active are among the main changes you can make to your lifestyle in order to keep the uncomfortable symptoms in control.