Everyone Wants to Know What Causes Heartburn

When we eat, the food travels from the mouth, through the throat, and then down into the stomach by way of a tube called the esophagus. At the lower end of the esophagus, there is a tight muscle called the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES). That sphincter, when functioning properly, prevents food from going backwards up the esophagus. It opens on occasion, like when we are swallowing, but other than that, it should stay closed to help the food beyond it in the digestive system.

When the food is in the stomach, the body produces an acid to digest the food. The stomach is protected from this very strong acid by a special layer of mucous. Otherwise, the acids in the stomach would damage the stomach - as it does damage the esophagus whenever the lower esophageal sphincter does not close the way it is supposed to. If this happens, the lower part of the esophagus can be damaged, and heartburn is what we feel.

What Causes Heartburn in a Person - Foods and Drinks?

There are certain foods and drinks that are known to loosen that lower esophageal sphincter. They include peppermint, chocolate, alcohol, fatty foods, and beverages with caffeine, like coffee, tea, and some soft drinks. It is best to avoid foods like these, particularly if you have a tendency toward heartburn.

Other things can irritate the esophageal lining, which contributes immensely to heartburn. They include citrus fruits and juices, tomatoes and tomato sauces, spicy foods, cigarette smoke, ibuprofen, aspirin, and other things.

What Body Position Causes Heartburn?

It is more likely that you will have heartburn if you are lying down or bending over, as it is easier for the stomach acid to go back up into the esophagus in those positions. Also, anything that puts pressure on the stomach can be what causes heartburn. These include coughing, straining, lifting, obesity, pregnancy, and tight clothing. Some of these can be avoiding if one is prone toward heartburn.

What Causes Heartburn - Medical Issues?

There are also certain medical conditions that can be what causes heartburn. Some of the conditions that are: hiatal hernia, diabetes, and various autoimmune diseases. Also, some prescription medicines can cause a loosening of the lower esophageal sphincter - they include heart medications, blood pressure medications, and drugs prescribed for osteoporosis or asthma. While there may not be a lot one can do to help with these causes of heartburn, one can discuss this with their doctor. He or she can likely offer suggestions to help with the heartburn caused by a medical issue, as well as many of the other things that are what causes heartburn.

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