subject: Know The Reasons For Heartburn [print this page] The National Heartburn Alliance claims that over 58 million individuals in the US struggle with chronic heartburn. These people are afraid to eat for fear that the food may initiate their heartburn and they do not get a good night sleep because laying down will intensify the heartburn pain and generally turns their live upside down. A minority of people who struggle with heartburn do so because of their genetic makeup while the vast majority have it because of what they eat.
Heartburn frequently occurs when the valve between the esophagus and stomach doesn't close the way it should. This valve is called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and if it doesn't close properly the combination of food and stomach acid enters the esophagus, burning it. The LES is very sensitive to certain types of foods and, as a result, will not seal properly. Foods such as spaghetti or fried chicken can initiate heartburn. Also, chocolate and peppermint have been known to cause it to flare up. Other conditions such as drinking as smoking can cause the LES to relax as well. Pressure on the stomach, caused by too much food, obesity or pregnancy, can also push food back up. Heartburn can also be caused by the production of extra amounts of stomach acid seeping into the esophagus. One reason why the stomach may overproduce acid in the stomach may be based of stress.
These are example of how our life-style can inititate heartburn. We eat food all day long, overeat and generallly over-indulge in things that are not good for us like sugar and meats with fat in them. We hurry up and eat without taking the time to really appreciate what we've eaten. Lack of exercise and being constantly stressed out will result in us being obese. If our eating and personal behaviors are the ones responsible for our heartburn then some tweaking in what we indulge in can helps us fight it.
Here are some things we can do to end the reasons for heatburn:
1. Stop using tobacco since it irritates the LES.
2. Eat smaller portions of food throughout the day iinstead of waiting and eating a larger meal.
3. Avoid greasy food and food with too much sugar.
4. Drop a few pounds.
5. Don't go to bed right after eating.
6. Find ways to cut down on stress by relaxation, exercising or visualization.
If the heartburn goes untreated or unchecked, it can turn into a chronic problem and into a chronic disease. Over a period of time if the LES continues not to close properly, health conditions will start to occur. It may start as inflammation of the esophagus, but may ultimately lead to ulcers, Barrett's esophagus or cancer of the esophagus.
A health care provider should be consulted if the lifestyle changes don't work. He or she will diagnosis the problem and determine if a prescribed medicine is required. Natural remedies can also be used too if an alternative to prescription medication does not want to be used. Chamomile, caraway seed, lemon balm and other natural solution have been known to end the plight of heartburn. Another good example of a natural remedy that fights heartburn has recently been discovered in pineapples. It is an enzyme named bromelain. This enzyme is believed to improve digestion. Does it work? Since everybody is different, there's no guarantee that it will work in all cases. Trying it out is the best answer.
