Understanding Chronic Heartburn Causes
Chronic heartburn causes should be known as early as
possible, to determine the appropriate treatment.
What does heartburn? Heartburn is a medical condition, caused by stomach
contents refluxed touch lining of the esophagus and cause a burning
sensation in the throat or chest. Healthy
people may also experience occasional mild heartburn,
but not always
identified as GERD or chronic heartburn. Generally occurs in pregnant
women.
Several factors chronic heartburn causes
- Malfunction the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES)
LES is responsible for preventing stomach acid
flows back into the esophagus. When the LES was damaged, and
the weak LES does not close properly. Acid can splash into the esophagus causing a burning sensation, this is the main factor chronic heartburn causes.
- Lifestyle and Behavior
Overeating or too much food in the
stomach causing excessive
pressure on the stomach, excess
pressure is also caused by
pregnancy and obesity. Chronic
heartburn causes can also be derived
from
the food we eat everyday such as orange juice, tomato
juice, french fries, coffe,tea, and lemonade. These foods should be avoided because
it can contribute to acid reflux. Lack of
sleep and stress can also increase the
production of stomach acid.
- Foods high in fat and The Aging Process : Excessive fat intake can relax the LES. As part of the aging
process of the muscles in the human body, tends to be weak, including LES. One of chronic heartburn causes, is a weakening of the LES function.
- Hiatal Hernia
Hiatal hernia is also a chronic heartburn causes include burping, nausea
and chest pain. Small hernia usually does not
require treatment, but severe hernia
can be treated with surgery or medication. Chronic
heartburn caused by by the
hernia can be treated
with antacids and H-2 blockers. Both medicines, can reduce
the amount of acid in the stomach. Antacids can neutralize the
acidity in your stomach.
- Gastric ulcers
Gastric ulcers are sores
in the lining of the stomach or in the small intestine. Symptoms are often caused
by an ulcer is
heartburn. This heartburn,
can be treated with antacids. Must be prescribed
by a doctor!
- Asthma : Almost half of people with
asthma also potentially GERD. Some
studies speculate that
asthma is accompanied
by coughing and sneezing , causing changes in the chest and trigger acid reflux
. Even, some asthma
medications can relax
the LES and contribute to GERD. Therefore, asthma can be a chronic heartburn causes.
- Eradicate the bacteria H. Pylori
Bacterium Helicobacter pylori is
the main cause of peptic ulcers, and bacteria are found in the mucous
membranes. People who suffer from peptic
ulcers, using antibiotics to eliminate H. pylori, which can
heal peptic ulcers.
Some studies suggest,
however, by reducing stomach acid H. pylori actually protects
against GERD. Exterminate H. pylori, may actually trigger GERD. And gerd as a chronic heartburn causes.
- Drugs
Drugs that can exacerbate
GERD and chronic
heartburn causes:
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), Can cause peptic ulcers, cause and aggravate GERD. Regular
use of more than six months, can cause peptic ulcers, and
aggravate GERD. Heartburn
sufferers who take NSAIDs
occasionally, do not experience any side effects. Highly
recommended to use a prescription! Several types of NSAIDs include
‘ibuprofen, naproxen’,
and aspirin. If you are experiencing
side effects from NSAIDs, consult your
doctor before taking
it. Please read carefully the usage instructions found on the product packaging.
Simple treatments for chronic
heartburn

- Change your lifestyle, start with a healthy lifestyle
With proper treatment, including a few lifestyle changes can
reduce the symptoms and chronic
heartburn causes. To reduce the symptoms of heartburn, try to follow the
instructions below:
Eat more often, with smaller portions
Eating too much, cause stomach expands and
increases the pressure on the
lower esophageal sphincter.
Do not lie down after eating, try to stay upright
chronic heartburn causes - This relates to gravity, gravity
can help prevent stomach fluids back up into the esophagus. And help smooth the
flow of food from the stomach into the intestines. While sleeping, preferably
lying on the left side. When lying on the right position, will push LES or
Lower Esophageal sphincter causes stomach juices back into the esophagus that
can trigger acid reflux. It is recommended to sleep two hours after meals,
avoid snacking before bed.
Maintain weight to stay stable
Several studies found, 7 of 20 people being overweight experiencing with heartburn .
Overweight (obesity) increase the risk of pressure on the
stomach, and can push stomach contents back into the esophagus. The best way is to lose weight, with proper diet and regular
exercise. So obesity is also a contributing chronic heartburn causes.
Quit smoking and alcohol
Is this fact or myth? that
smoking and drinking alcohol effect on heartburn
and acid reflux. Is true, smoking and alcohol
consumption included into the list of chronic heartburn causes. Alcohol is not only intoxicating,
but it can weaken
the valve (LES) if
the valve is compromised
then the level of acidity in the stomach becomes
unstable. Thus causing heartburn. Wine and beer can increase
acid production in the stomach, so that the lining of
the stomach becomes inflamed.
Smoking can harm the digestive system,
such as weakened organs
of the gastrointestinal tract, increased
acid exposure, endangering
the salivary glands, and produce acid reflux. So the fact is, smoking
and alcohol is one of chronic
heartburn causes.
Tight clothing, not recommended
Wearing tight clothing in the waist area is only going to
torture you, Tight clothing will depress (squeeze) the stomach, forcing food
back into the esophagus.
- Diet
It is important for people with heartburn, to make the diet
as one attempt to treat heartburn.
Certain foods, can be associated with symptoms of heartburn and chronic heartburn causes.
Choosing food is a wise action, some food is safe to eat
heartburn sufferers. And some other foods should be avoided, because the foods
that trigger heartburn.
- Reduce heartburn with drugs - OTC
Antacids are widely used to relieve heartburn, because it can
neutralize and reduce acid in the
stomach. Over the Counter (OTC) is a drug
used to treat mild heartburn and GERD disease. In some cases, the appropriate
use of OTC drugs and combined with lifestyle changes, are very effective in
reducing chronic heartburn causes. Some types of antacids are available and
sold freely in pharmacies and drug stores around you, namely Proton Pump
Inhibitors (PPIs), antacids and H2 blockers. Although the chronic heartburn causes can be reduced with
these types of drugs,
but its use must
be prescribed by a doctor.
Before you start using any type of OTC medication, consult
with your doctor first. Because each type of OTC medications can cause the
dangerous interactions with each other. Some of the side effects caused by
antacids, PPIs and H2 blockers were vomiting, nausea, headache, diarrhea, and constipation.
- Treating heartburn with Home Remedies : Most people with heartburn and acid reflux, find an
alternative solution natural ways to cure chronic
heartburn causes.
This article quotes from
several sources:
health.nytimescom, livestrong.com,
heartburn.about.com, healthline.com,
nutritionvista.com