LPR

Most discussions of acid reflux focus on one valve — the lower oesophageal sphincter (LES), which separates the stomach from the oesophagus. When the LES relaxes inappropriately, stomach contents escape upward and you get GERD. It’s a well-established story. What’s far less discussed is the second valve: the upper …

Upper Esophageal Sphincter: Function, Failure, and Silent Reflux Read More

Coffee is one of the first things most reflux sufferers are told to cut out. The advice is consistent, authoritative, and almost universal — and the science behind it is weaker than most people assume. Coffee does have mechanisms that can worsen reflux. But the overall association between coffee …

Is Coffee Bad for Acid Reflux? What the Evidence Actually Shows Read More

The functional medicine theory goes like this: reflux isn’t caused by too much stomach acid — it’s caused by too little. Low acid means food ferments rather than digests properly, gas builds up, pressure rises, and stomach contents push upward through a weakened sphincter. Take betaine HCl to restore …

Does Low Stomach Acid Cause Acid Reflux? The Betaine HCl Evidence, Examined Read More

Probiotics can help with acid reflux — but probably not in the way most supplement-seller pages suggest. The evidence positions them as a useful adjunct to standard management, not a standalone treatment. When you understand the mechanisms involved, that framing makes complete sense: a healthier gut microbiome supports better …

Best Probiotics for Acid Reflux: What the Evidence Actually Shows Read More

Burping and acid reflux are more closely linked than most people realise — and the relationship goes both ways. Yes, acid reflux causes burping. But burping can also trigger more acid reflux. For a significant number of people with GERD, the two are caught in a self-reinforcing cycle that …

Acid Reflux and Burping: Why It Happens and How to Stop It Read More