Heartburn is caused by acid refluxing back into the esophagus. Heartburn is a result of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Gastroesophageal reflux disease affects the muscular ring that is found between the stomach and the esophagus. This muscular ring is called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Normally, the LES closes after food has been eaten. GERD occurs when this sphincter is weak or relaxes and opens when it shouldn’t. As a result, contents from the stomach...
Heartburn is caused by acid refluxing back into the esophagus. Heartburn is a result of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Gastroesophageal reflux disease affects the muscular ring that is found between the stomach and the esophagus. This muscular ring is called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Normally, the LES closes after food has been eaten. GERD occurs when this sphincter is weak or relaxes and opens when it shouldn’t. As a result, contents from the stomach leak backwards from the stomach and up into the esophagus. This may cause a burning sensation in a person’s chest that is commonly known as “heartburn”.
The LES may open when it should not because of the following reasons:
- consuming too much food
- obesity, constipation, or pregnancy causing pressure within the stomach to push on the LES
- consumption of certain foods such as foods that are high in fat, onions, coffee, citric acid, chocolate, or caffeinated beverages
- increased production of stomach acid as a result of stress or the lack of sleep
- taking certain medications
- smoking, which relaxes the LES and increases stomach acid production
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