Some Causes of Heartburn

One of the very first things a patient suffering from heartburn may ask their doctor is what triggers their symptoms.

But what really causes heartburn? Until now, that question remains to puzzle most doctors. As when it comes to heartburn, what causes one’s symptoms may not necessarily trigger that of another’s. Therefore, when it comes to this condition, the adage ‘to each his own’ remains true.

Heartburn is a condition characterized by the irritation of the esophagus. The influx of stomach acid in the esophagus essentially irritates the latter as normally such acid does not exist where it is located.

Heartburn condition may be caused by a number of reasons, and it may differ from one person to another.

Pregnancy. Fifty percent of pregnant women experience severe heartburn during second or third trimesters. However, in some cases, some pregnant women suffer from heartburn during the first trimester.

There are two reasons why pregnant women experience heartburn. One, an increase in the level of certain hormones during pregnancy triggers heartburn. Two, the growth of the fetus often exerts pressure on the stomach, which causes gastric acid to seep out of the stomach.

Heartburn is usually worst during the third trimester. The symptoms, if heartburn is not a pre-existing condition to the pregnancy, will usually go away after delivery.

Abnormalities. Heartburn may set in because a person has a condition known as hiatal hernia. Normally, the LES functions to prevent acid from seeping off the stomach and rising to the esophagus.

When a person has hiatal hernia, the LES functions irregularly. It either opens too frequently or does not close tight enough. Therefore, the existence of hiatal hernia in some cases gives rise to heartburn.

Smoking. Most, if not all, smokers suffer from heartburn. In fact, smoking not only causes heartburn but also directly contributes to the development of acid reflux disease.

Smoking causes and even worsens heartburn for a number of reasons. One, it damages the mucus membrane. Two, it promotes acid production and secretion. Three, it negatively relaxes the LES. Fourth, it prevents the production of saliva, which neutralizes the effect of stomach acid. Fifth, it damages the muscles in the throat.

Smoking and heavy drinking increases a person’s risk to esophageal cancer.

Eating heartburn food. Eating large meals or lying down immediately after a meal triggers heartburn. However, consuming certain food is also one of the leading causes of heartburn. This particularly food group is known as heartburn food.

What distinguishes this kind of food from others is that it has this relaxing effect to the LES. In some cases, it also promotes the production of gastric acid. Some heartburn foods are:

Caffeinated drinks, such as soda, tea, and coffee
Alcohol
Carbonated beverages
Chocolate
Tomato and tomato-based products
Fried and fatty food
Spice-heavy food, such as those laden with garlic, chilli, onion, and curry

Other causes. Heartburn may also be triggered by taking certain muscle relaxants, such as ibuprofen and aspirin. When taking other medications aside of that for heartburn, it is important to ask your doctor for ibuprofen- or aspirin-free version of your current meds.

Other causes of heartburn include unmanaged stress, being obese or overweight, snacking close to bedtime, and even exercise.