Acid Reflux & Heartburn

A lot of people experience a  sudden burning sensation that starts in the chest. This condition occurs sometimes just after we have finished a meal. 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, especially located 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 referred to. 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 can’t deal with those stomach juices and gets easily irritated.

How can you avoid heartburn?

Here is a list of some of the top reasons for heartburn known today:

• 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 the 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 on the stomach. This pressure build-up weakens the LES allowing stomach acid to pass into the esophagus.
• Eating large amounts of food at any time of the day puts extra pressure on your lower esophageal sphincter. Therefore it is rather likely 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 is another cause for 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 well, as the chemicals pass from the lungs into your blood.
• The last cause of heartburn, is clothing that restricts your stomach. As the clothes increase the pressure against the stomach walls they force the food up against the LES.

In a nutshell,  it can be said that a lifestyle change is the best way to prevent or reduce heartburn. People have to realize that by changing their eating and drinking habits can reduce GERD symptoms. If you keep that advice to your heart, you will have a healthy happy life ahead of you.