Reflux becoming more frequent or more severe with age is common, and it has identifiable causes rather than being random. LES muscle tone naturally weakens over time, similar to other muscles in the body. Hiatal hernias become more common with age, partly due to the natural loosening of supporting tissue around the diaphragm. Saliva production decreases, reducing the body's ability to neutralize acid that does reflux. Stomach emptying can slow down. Additionally, older adults are more likely to be on medications — for blood pressure, pain, or other conditions — that have reflux as a side effect, and multiple contributing factors can stack up in ways they didn't when younger. None of this means reflux is untreatable with age; it usually means the approach needs to combine more of the contributing factors (diet, sleep position, medication review) rather than relying on one change alone.
