Understanding the Causes of Heartburn – Your First Line of Defense against Heartburn

Do you know what causes of heartburn?are obesity and pregnancy, in both cases, your
Understanding what causes this painful condition isbody produces extra enzymes that lead to
the first step toward preventing it. It is a conditionhyperacidity.
that can be caused by many different factors, all 
of which you have control over.The Food Causes of Heartburn
  
Knowing what heartburn isThere are also certain food items which lead to
 heartburn. Now, some might not lead to heartburn
Heartburn is the irritation of the esophagus whatfor you since every person’s reactions to
is caused by stomach acid being pushed back upfood is different.
to your esophagus then to your throat. Normally,Some of the food items that contribute to acid
the lower esophageal sphincter (or LES) keepsreflux, and eventually heartburn include coffee,
stomach acid within the stomach with the help ofcarbonated drinks, alcoholic beverages,
gravity. It opens to allow the food to go insidetomato-based products, chocolate and citric fruits
the stomach and then closes right away toand juices. They make the LES less responsive to
prevent stomach acid from coming back up.the food that go through your esophagus, making
However, if the LES stays open longer than thethe valve react slower. This gives forces the
usual, or it does not close tight enough, then thestomach acid to be ousted back into your
problems start.esophagus, and in some case through your throat
 and mouth.
Stomach acid will go back up, called acid reflux, 
and damage the esophageal walls. This causes theFried and fatty foods is also one of the causes of
burning sensation in the esophagus known asheartburn. These slow down digestion, which
heartburn. If this condition continues worsecreates more pressure inside your stomach. Large
complications may develop.meals or too much fat deposits in general, put
 extra pressure on the LES, giving it a bigger
The Two Major Causes Of Heartburnchance to malfunction and crates reflux.
  
There are two major reasons why heartburnOvercoming Heartburn
occurs. One is having too much food in the 
stomach (overeating) and second is too muchOvercoming the causes of heartburn is easier
pressure in the stomach (usually from obesity ornow because you know what they are and how
pregnancy).to avoid them. There’s nothing drastic that
 you need to do to cope with this condition. Just
When you overeat your stomach is stretchedknowing the causes already gives you a good
until it could not be able to handle the food youchance to prevent and cure heartburn. In case
intake. When it is overly stretched, your stomachyour are experiencing severe heartburn attacks,
might need to alleviate the stretching. One way itbetter consult your physician for better medical
can do so is by contracting, which could forceattention. Frequent attacks may lead to acute
your food back up the esophagus. This is onedamage in your esophagus or development of
thing which also leads to too much pressure in thecancer.
stomach. Other factors which cause high pressure