Heartburn
What is heartburn?.........What
causes heartburn?...What is heartburn?
Despite its name, heartburn has nothing to do
with the heart. Some of the symptoms, however, are similar to those of a heart
attack or heart disease.
Heartburn is an irritation of the esophagus that
is caused by stomach acid. This can create a burning discomfort in the upper
abdomen or below the sternum.
With the help of gravity, a muscular valve called
the lower esophageal sphincter or LES, keeps stomach acid in the stomach. SLE
is located where the esophagus meets the stomach - below the rib cage and
slightly left of center. Normally it opens to allow food into the stomach or to
permit belching; then it closes. But if the LES opens too often or does not
close tightly enough, stomach acid can reflux, or seep, into the esophagus,
causing the burning sensation.
Occasional heartburn is not dangerous, but
chronic heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can sometimes lead
to serious problems.
Heartburn is one event per week up to 20% of
Americans and very common among pregnant women.
What causes heartburn?
The fundamental cause of heartburn is a lower
esophageal sphincter, or LES, which does not tighten as it should. Two excesses
often contribute to this problem: too much food in the stomach (overeating) or
too much pressure on the stomach (often obesity, pregnancy, or constipation).
Some foods commonly relax the LES, including tomatoes, citrus fruits, garlic,
onions, chocolate, coffee, alcohol, products containing caffeine, and
peppermint. Meals rich in fats and oils (animal or vegetable) often lead to heartburn,
as some medications. Stress and lack of sleep can increase acid production and
can cause heartburn. And smoking, which relaxes the LES and stimulates stomach
acid, is a major contributor.
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