A lot of people suddenly get a burning sensation that starts in the chest. This condition occurs sometimes just after we have eaten. The stomach juices can sometimes flow into the gullet, or as it is correctly called the esophagus after our stomachs have digested the food. When that happens the esophagus lining gets irritated and a burning sensation can be felt be especially near the heart or behind the breastbone. This backing up of acid is the main cause of heartburn for most people.
Why does heartburn occur?
The part of the body that is responsible for heartburn occurring is the Lower Esophageal Sphincter, or LES as it is sometimes called. This is the valve which is responsible for keeping the stomach juices within our stomachs. The intestines of the stomach are capable of dealing with the stomach acids. However, if for any reason the LES relaxes then the stomach juices can flow into the esophagus and begin causing heartburn. As the walls or skins of the esophagus are very thin and sensitive the esophagus gets easily irritated by the acidity of those stomach juices.
How can you avoid heartburn?
Here is a list of what is considered to be some of the top reasons for heartburn:
- Coffee, tea, and other drinks that contain caffeine can relax the Lower Esophageal Sphincter. This allows the stomach juices to flow into the esophagus.
- Chocolate contains certain amounts of a substance called theobromine. This compound is found naturally in many caffeine bearing plants. The theobromine relaxes the LES muscle and causes the stomach acid to shoot up into the esophagus leading to heartburn.
- Foods that are fried and fatty have a tendency to slow down the digestion process. This leads to the food being kept in the stomach for a long time. This results in increased pressure to the stomach. This pressure build-up weakens the LES allowing stomach acid to pass into the esophagus.
- Eating large amounts of food any time of the day puts extra pressure on your lower esophageal sphincter. Therefore there is a chance that some of this digested food will end up in the esophagus. This is especially true in the night as having a large dinner just before you go to sleep leads to the digesting food to press harder against your LES.
- Drinking and eating lots of citrus fruits and juices also causes the LES to become relaxed. This is another cause of heartburn.
- Tomatoes and tomato-based products, and alcohol also cause the LES to relax. Furthermore, they lead to an increased production of stomach acids which in turn causes heartburn.
- The tobacco chemicals in cigarettes weaken the LES, as the chemicals pass from the lungs into your blood.
- The last cause of heartburn, is clothing that restricts your stomach. As the clothes press against the stomach walls they force the food up against the LES.
Summarizing it can be said that a lifestyle change is the best way to prevent or reduce hearburn. People have to realize that by chaning their habit they can reduce GERD symptoms. Then you have a healthy happy life stretching out ahead of you.