What Causes Heartburn?

What causes heartburn? That is a question many people may have wondered while having that burning, irritatingly uncomfortable sensation in their chest. There are numerous reasons why people get heartburn, and many can be easily avoided with simple lifestyle changes.

When the sphincter between the esophagus and the stomach does not close completely, stomach acid then comes up and backs up into the esophagus, which causes heartburn. There are certain triggers that can cause this to occur. The common triggers include: cigarette smoke, alcohol, caffeine, citrus fruits, tomato, carbonated drinks, chocolate, mint, spicy food, onions, laying flat soon after eating, and pregnancy.

A burning feeling in the chest that occurs after eating, burning in the throat, a sour or acidic taste in the mouth, difficulty swallowing, sore throat, and a feeling of food getting stuck in the throat or chest are all symptoms of common heartburn. Heartburn is also a very common symptom of GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease).

In mild cases of heartburn lifestyle changes can easily help in the prevention, and/or reduction, of this condition. These simple lifestyle changes include: avoiding the common triggers that are known to cause heartburn such as food and/or drink, not eating too close to bedtime, and avoiding wearing any clothes that are tight fitting around the waist.

In more severe cases, lifestyle changes alone cannot prevent heartburn and medication may be needed. Most heartburn medications, known as antacids, neutralize stomach acid, which help prevent stomach acid from backing up into the esophagus

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Heartburn