Heartburn is distressing, and it can be scary. After all, we’re all frightened when something is focused around our heart. Heartburn , however , has nothing to do with the heart. Essentially it is an irritation of the esophagus that happens due to excess stomach acid. If you’ve ever had heartburn, you likely would like to take steps to keep it from happening again. If you’re unlucky enough to suffer with protracted heartburn, you could also be looking for answers. The best way to clear up the problem of heartburn is to start by looking at the causes of heartburn and then deciding on steps to follow to alleviate the problem.
As stated earlier, heartburn occurs when excess stomach acid irritates the esophagus. This takes place when the lower esophageal sphincter doesn’t tighten up the way it should. This underactive muscle is usually caused by two major excesses.
The first is an excessive amount of eating which fills the gut too full. That is the reason you may experience heartburn following a big holiday dinner. The obvious answer to the cause is to keep yourself from eating so much. Although the table is overflowing and the food is wonderful, limit yourself to moderate portions. Ask yourself if the pleasure of eating now is worth the agony of heartburn later.
The second excess that causes heartburn is due to too much force on the belly. This condition can be assigned to being fat or pregnancy. Once again, the remedies are pretty obvious. Either lose pounds or have the baby, and you should be in a position to reduce your bouts of heartburn.
There are a number of foods that can relax the lower esophageal sphincter ( LES ) so that it doesn’t stay closed correctly. These include chocolate, caffeine, coffee, tomatoes, alcohol, garlic, peppermint, onions, and citrus fruits,eg oranges and grapefruit. Foods with high fat content, if it’s animal or plant fat, and certain medicines can also lead to heartburn. Smoking is a major culprit when it comes to the incidence of painful bouts of heartburn, as it both relaxes the LES and excites the production of stomach acid. Stress can also make a contribution to the the problem.
As you can see, some simple lifestyle alterations can make an entire world of difference in the quantity of heartburn someone suffers. By watching what you eat, how much you eat, and your weight, you can greatly decrease what causes heartburn. Giving up smoking and learning to relax will also stand you in good stead in the battle against the discomfort of heartburn.
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