What are the common causes of Heartburn?
Causes of Heartburn? There are so many causes of heartburn, in some people the cardiac sphincter does not function properly or it becomes weakened. This leads to contents from the stomach leaking back into the esophagus. Stomach acids can irritate the esophagus and cause symptoms of heartburn. This condition is known as reflux.
Before we go more deeply on the causes of heartburn let’s get to know what exactly heartburn is
What is Heartburn?
You feel like you’re on fire. Your insides are burning, you feel pressure within your ribs, and there’s an acid taste in your mouth from partially digested food.
Heartburn is a sensation of burning in the chest caused by stomach acid backing up into the esophagus (food pipe). The burning is usually in the upper and central section of the chest, just behind the particular sternum (breast bone). The burning can get worse or can be a result of lying flat or within the right side. Pregnancy does aggravate heartburn.
Many people experience heartburn symptoms and there are many over-the-counter (OTC) medications and home made remedies available to treat heartburn symptoms or the symptoms connected with heartburn.
What are the Causes of Heartburn?
The explanation for heartburn is excessive stream of gastric contents back in the esophagus. Normally, there’s an occasional backflow in to the esophagus with no signs and symptoms. The acidic gastric items, when present in considerable amounts, irritate the esophagus (usually the reduced part) and cause the particular symptoms of heartburn.
Some common foods that we eat and drink, stimulate increased stomach acid secretion setting the phase for heartburn. Over-the-counter prescription drugs also may precipitate acid reflux. Examples of these irritants consist of:
- Eat no chocolate, drink no brews. Alcohol, chocolate, fatty foods, mint, and coffee—even decaffeinated coffees contain irritants—are capable of weakening the lower esophageal sphincter, says gastroenterologist Grace Elta, MD, associate professor in the gastroenterology division of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
- Aspirin (Bayer, and so forth. ),
- Buprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, and so forth. )
- Naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve)
- Carbonated refreshments,
- Acidic juices (grapefruit, red, pineapple)
- Acidic foods (tomatoes, grapefruit, in addition to oranges), and Chocolate.
- Smoking and the consumption of high-fat content foods usually affect function of the bottom esophageal sphincter (LES), causing it to relax through the stomach and allow acid to reflux into the esophagus.
- Pregnancy can cause increased pressure within the abdominal cavity and affect LES function and predispose it to reflux.
- Obesity may also cause increased pressure from the abdomen, and thus reflux just as.
Watch the Videos Below and learn more about the Causes of Heartburn
When to Call the Doctor
In most people, heartburn lasts for a short period of time and stops quickly, especially with the use of certain medications. People should seek medical care if heartburn is increasing in frequency, occurring daily, not responsive to over-the-counter (OTC) medications, or if additional symptoms such as difficulty in swallowing, and frequent nausea and vomiting occur.