Author: MJT
Spotting The Causes For Heartburn
People with heartburn experience chest pains that begin at
their breastbone and rises up to the neck and throat. They can also experience
that liquids or food is coming back up into their throat or mouth. Many people
describe a bitter or sour taste in their mouth during heartburn, while others
report an increased pain in the chest, especially when bending forward or lying
down.
There are several causes for heartburn or acid reflux, which
are the common reasons for this uncomfortable chest pain. Over 90% of people
with this condition report that the cause for their heartburn is linked to the
food or drink they consume. Spotting the foods that triggers your heartburn
episodes is important to prevent these conditions from occurring in the future.
Tea, coffee and other caffeinated drinks relaxes the LES
(lower esophageal sphincter), which is responsible for keeping stomach acid out
of the esophagus. When the LES relaxes, stomach acid pushes back into your
esophagus, which is one of the major causes for heartburn.
Chocolate, citrus fruits and vegetables, tomatoes,
tomato-based products and alcoholic beverages are also main causes for
heartburn because they also relax the LES, preventing it to function normally.
On the other hand, eating fatty foods and tobacco smoking can weaken the LES
and increase the pressure on your stomach, causing the reflux of stomach acid
into your esophagus.
Medical Causes for Heartburn
The causes for heartburn are medically described as the
feeling when the juices of stomach acid flow backwards into your esophagus.
This occurs when the LES relaxes or becomes unable to function properly.
When the LES functions normally, this valve opens a door
that enables food into your stomach to come in, but not go out the same way.
When your LES relaxes, it allows the acid juices to flow upward to where they
came from – straight to the esophagus. As a result, this acid endangers your
esophagus from the harmful acid from your stomach. Doctors refer to this
condition as GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease).
In general, the causes for heartburn may vary depending on
personal lifestyle and dietary habits. However, regardless of the things that
trigger heartburn, they contribute to the occurrence of heartburns by
increasing acid production in your stomach, increasing relaxation levels of
your LES, increasing stomach pressure (through dressing in tight clothes or
sleeping right after eating a heavy meal), and by making your esophagus more
sensitive to stomach acid.
Tags:
| 
Print this page
