Heartburn has multiple causes and they are not necessarily the same for every sufferer. One person may experience the problem for a variety of reasons, while someone else may only have one specific trigger. Although it is rare, there are some individuals who have digestive systems that produce larger proportions of acid than the average person. Here’s a look at some of the most common causes of heartburn.

It is the functionality of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) that plays an integral role in whether heartburn occurs or not. The esophagus is a muscular type of tube that runs from the lower portion of the throat and down into the stomach. It is sometimes called the food tube. The LES is a muscular ring that is located at the end of the esophagus where it connects with the stomach. The LES is a very active muscle that is constantly contracting and stopping food from leaving the esophagus and travelling into the stomach. There are a variety of problems that can afflict the LES. For example, it is possible for the contracting action of the LES to be weak. Another problem is known as transient LES relaxations. This is when the LES has abnormal relaxations and therefore relaxes far too much.

Another potential cause of heartburn could be a hiatal hernia; conversely the hernia could be caused by heartburn. The connection between the two is not completely understood by the medical community at the present time. It is possible to have one but not the other. In those who suffer from a hiatal hernia, a small portion of the upper part of the stomach that is connected to the esophagus is shoved up through the diaphragm. The diaphragm is a muscle that serves as a divider between the chest and the abdominal area. When a person suffers from this kind of hernia, the entry from the esophagus to the stomach is no longer in the right place and therefore preventing reflux from occurring becomes more and more difficult.

Certain beverages can also trigger a bad case of heartburn, particularly coffee and tea. So if you have a cup of coffee in the morning, or a cup of tea at night before bed, you may want to eliminate these drinks from your diet and observe the effects. The reason coffee and tea can cause reflux is due to the caffeine content; too much caffeine in some people’s systems can cause the contents of the stomach to resurface in the esophagus.

We all need to stay away from fatty foods because they are not very healthy, but these foods could also be causing you to experience heartburn. It takes your body longer to digest fried foods, which means they settle in your stomach and cause discomfort for a longer period of time. So, steer clear of fast food restaurants, and if you’re cooking at home, be sure to bake or broil your meat or potatoes in order to cut down on the fat content.

Almost everyone suffers from heartburn symptoms at one time or another. Visit our site to learn more about your options for both natural heartburn relief and heartburn medicine to treat your pain and discomfort.

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