Understanding Heartburn
It is true that heartburn can be caused by heavy meals or spicy foods, such as jalepenos or a large, Thanksgiving dinner. For others who don't indulge in heavy foods or have a strict diet, heartburn may be a mystery to them. That's because there is more to heartburn than the food you eat.
What Heartburn Is
Heartburn is not actually an inflammation of your heart as the name implies. The "burning" sensation you feel that is accompanied by that awful taste in your mouth is actually in your lower chest and not your heart.
For many people, heart burn has a lot to do with the esophagus' opening and closing function. The esophagus is a straight pipe to your stomach. Right after you eat something, your esophagus is supposed to shut the door and keep everything down. But if it doesn't quite close all the way, there's a chance that stomach acids can work their way up.
Many know this as reflux. That's why heartburn occurs mainly when you've eaten a heavy meal and you lay down too soon. Your stomach has to produce a lot of acid to help digest that food. If your stomach is overly full and those acids are churning, the acidic pressure can rise through the esophagus and up to your mouth.
Contributing Factors and Treatment
There are a number of factors that contribute to heartburn. Different foods and drinks you consume, such as coffee and spicy foods, are a culprit. Obesity can also cause heartburn, as do certain medications. Bad habits like smoking contribute to heartburn.
Certain medical conditions can also cause heartburn. Gastroesophegeal Reflux Disease (GERD) is when the muscles in your esophagus that are responsible for the open/close function near your stomach are abnormally developed. Heartburn also happens to people with Hiatial Hernias; they have stomach muscles that push into the diaphragm. Peptic ulcers and inflamed stomach lining are also conditions that contribute to heartburn.
Beyond medical conditions, there are a number of lifestyle changes you can make to manage the onset of heartburn. If you smoke, quit. If you're overweight, start losing weight. Sitting up after you eat and not laying down for a few hours is another adjustment. You could also take antacids; they won't close your esophagus muscles but they can tone down the burn from stomach acids in your throat.
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