Heartburn occurs when acid produced in the stomach travels up the alimentary canal to the gullet or the esophagus. The acid, meant for digestion of food, inflames and burns the skin surfaces around the esophagus causing pain.
Heartburn is a relatively minor, yet very common problem. Everyone suffers from heartburn at one time or the other. It is totally related to digestive system and has nothing to do with heart contrary to what its name suggests.
Basically, heartburn occurs either due to the fault of a muscle at Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES), that is supposed to tighten and stop the acid in the stomach from flowing up to the esophagus, or due to extreme pressure in the lower part of the alimentary canal forcing the LES to relax.
The following factors causes relaxation in the LES or create extreme pressure in the stomach.
1. Food
Certain kind of food items relaxes LES. The foods that relax LES and increase chances of heartburn are citric fruits like lemon and oranges. Tomatoes, garlic, onions, and peppermint also increase the chances of heartburn by relaxing LES.
2. Alcohol and Tobacco
People who drink liquor and/or smoke cigarette are more prone to heartburn than those who don’t. Alcohol and nicotine relaxes LES, thus making the flow of stomach acid to the upper alimentary canal easier.
3. Greasy and Fatty Food
Greasy and fatty foods increase the chances of heartburn as it both relaxes the LES and increases pressure in the stomach. Food with a lot of fat stays longer in the stomach than those without it, thus increasing the chances for the acid to flow up.
4. Caffeine and Chocolates
Any kind of food that contains caffeine increases the chances of heartburn. Chocolates and other food materials containing caffeine relax LES making the flow of acid up the alimentary canal easier.
5. Stress
Too much stress increases the production of acid in the stomach, hence increasing the chances of heartburn.
6. Over-Eating
When one overeats, there is too much food in the stomach and it creates lot of pressure. Thus, the LES relents to the pressure in the stomach letting the acid flow up.
7. Tight Clothes
Sounds weird, but tight clothes around the waist line and the stomach also causes heartburn as it presses the stomach forcing the LES to relax.
8. Pregnancy
As in the case of over-eating, an increased pressure is created due pregnancy in the stomach. Thus, the acid LES cannot stop the acid from flowing up.
9. Obesity
The pressure in the stomach also increases due to obesity.
10. Overeating Before Sleep
If one lies down with a full stomach, the chances of heartburn increase. This is due to the fact that stomach contents put more pressure on the LES, when one sleeps with a full stomach.
Although heartburn a minor problem, it can be irritating if it occurs often. Hence, understanding the common causes of heartburn can help mitigate the chances of heartburn to a great extent.
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