How can you get acid reflux?

• bending, stretching, exercise, especially later at night
• a loose lower esophageal sphincter (what cinches off the stomach from the esophagus swallowing tube) from overeating, alcohol, caffeine, tobacco
• eating later at night
• drinking liquids earlier in your meal
• overproduction of stomach acid, by stimulating acid production by the aromas or expectation of a meal, then not eating
• excess body weight (e.g. pregnancy), obesity
• fatty & spicy foods
• hiatal hernia - where part of the stomach slips through to the chest cavity so the sphincter doesn't cinch off as well

1. What is acid reflux? What is heartburn? What is GERD? What isgastroesophageal reflux? What is dyspepsia? What is PUD -- peptic ulcer disease? What is duodenitits?
2. What does acid reflux feel like?
3. How can you get acid reflux?
4. How can I find out if acid reflux is the reason for my symptoms?
5. Is acid reflux contagious?
6. How can I treat acid reflux?
7. Can surgery help acid reflux?