Heartburn Causes

Causes of Heartburn What are the Causes of Heartburn?Heartburn reﬂects the escape of acid from the stomach into theesophagus, causing irritation.This occurs when the muscular valve called the lower esophagealsphincter (LES) opens too often or fails to close properly.The LES is there as a valve to the stomach to keep acid in, and notto allow it to seep out and up to the esophagus. When the LES fails,reﬂux or leakage of acid occurs, which is when the irritation occurswe call heartburn.

Causes of HeartburnHeartburn is experienced by most people once in a while, but is notusually a long term problem of any signiﬁcance.However, it can be a symptom of and lead to gastroesophageal reluxdisease ( also referred to as GERD), or acid reﬂux as most peoplesay for short.The actual origins of the heartburn which you may suffer can bemany and varied. Different people are affected in different ways bydifferent factors.We will set out some of the more common and major causes ofheartburn.

Causes of HeartburnOVEREATINGMost people probably associate heartburn with food andovereating, and there is good reason for that. An over full stomachputs extra pressure on the LES, which in turn increases the chancesthat food will reﬂux into the esophagus.PREGNANCY AND OBESITYPregnancy puts extra pressure on the stomach for very obviousreasons; as does obesity with the extra weight. This additionalpressure increases the chances of acid reﬂux.

Causes of HeartburnSOME FOODS AND HABITSCertain foods and beverages can increase the risk of heartburn insome people. Try to avoid fatty and fried food, tomatoes, garlic,citrus fruits and juices, chocolate, coffee and other caffeine basedbeverages. That step alone can alleviate heartburn in many people.SMOKINGYou’ve heard it before for all sorts of reasons: stop smoking.

Causes of HeartburnCONSUMPTION of ALCOHOLDrinking alcoholic drinks can increase the manufacture of acid inthe stomach. It can also cause you to drop your guard against eatingunsuitable foods which might aggravate your heartburn.SLEEPING or LYING DOWN AFTER EATINGTry not to lie down or sleep soon after eating. If you need to liedown for any reason try to do so with head raised.

Causes of HeartburnTIGHT FITTING CLOTHESTight ﬁtting clothes around the stomach can squeeze it so that foodjams against your LES. This of course can cause acid reﬂux into theesophagus.EXERCISEIn most circumstances sensible exercise is probably good for you,but that is not so immediately after eating. Spicy foods in particularcan cause heartburn if you exercise too soon after eating them.

Causes of HeartburnHIATUS HERNIAThe occurrence of hiatus hernia is unpleasant in itself. It can alsoadd to acid reﬂux and heartburn problems by causing themuscles in your sphincter to press on your food pipe.Those are just some of the main causes of acid reﬂux andheartburn. Watch out for how your heartburn reacts afterdifferent foods and actions; everybody is different. Click here to find out more about heartburn & acid reflux

Heartburn Causes

by roythom on Jan 05, 2011

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