Normally when you
eat, the LES has to relax and open to allow food enter the stomach from the
gullet and then closes back to prevent food and stomach acid backing up into
the esophagus. But when the LES cannot close tightly to prevent the back flow
of acidic stomach content into the food pipe – the esophagus, acid has to reflux. The reasons for this
are:
- The LES may have become weak or relax to allow for acid reflux;
- There could be too much pressure on the stomach that’s forcing the LES to open.
What causes heartburn: Weak and relaxing LES.
Certain foods are known to weaken or "relax" the valve, making
reflux more likely. A weak LES over time is enough to cause chronic heartburn. Here are some major foods that weaken and relax
your LES or increase the amount of acid secretion in the stomach when you consume them thus, triggering heartburn.
- Peppermint, spearmint, mint gums and other mint-flavored candies;
- Spicy and peppery foods, Chili, garlic, and onions;
- Acidic fruits such as Oranges, pineapples, grapefruit, and lemons, as well as citrus juices.
- Tomatoes, tomato sauce, soup, and tomato juice are all high in acid.
- Chocolate, coffee (including decaf) and tea promote heartburn.
- Carbonated drinks such as Sodas and Coca-cola.
- Margarines, mayonnaise, Creamy soups and salad dressings often trigger heartburn because of their fat content. Butter and food cooked in butter whether low-acid foods or alkaline can linger in the stomach and cause heartburn.
- Fried and fatty foods which tend to slow down digestion.
- Smoking encourages acid production and cause the
sphincter to relax.
- Alcohol –wine, beer, even your favorite cocktail relaxes the LES and increases the production of stomach acid.
What causes heartburn: too much pressure
on the stomach.
Excessive pressure on the abdomen make it easier for the stomach
acids to flow back into the esophagus. As a rule, anything that increases the
pressure on the abdomen can promote back flow of stomach contents to the
esophagus. For some
people they do not have a faulty LES but they constantly put pressure on their
stomach which causes the LES to open. Ways we exert pressure on the stomach
are:
- Eating too much of food. Large meals create pressure and also make the stomach to produce too much acid.
- Eating too quickly or on the run.
- Eating late at night or before bedtime.
- Slow digestion – some people may have delayed gastric emptying as a result of diabetes, the type of food they ate or other reasons.
- Overweight: Medical researchers have discovered that a weak LES is more common with people who are obese. Some people experience heartburn only when their weight passes a particular limit. What happen is that the stomach fat put pressure on the top of the stomach and the LES which result to heartburn. If you cannot ascertain if you are overweight, it is time to get close to the scale and the bmi chart to find out and then a weight loss program.
- Pregnancy: Hormonal changes during the first trimester of pregnancy seem to weaken and relax the LES pregnancy. At later stages, the baby physically putting pressure on the woman's digestive tract is the big problem.
- Stress and exercise may also put pressure in your stomach or cause your stomach to produce excess acid.
- Wearing tight clothes which can put pressure on your stomach.
Other causes
of heartburn are medicine use to treat heart problems, asthma, high blood
pressure and some antibiotics. Disease condition such as causes
of heartburn and
other digestive problems can also cause heartburn. So it is better you consult
your doctor before arriving at a conclusion.
Even when
you are taking acid reflux medicine, the general rule is to avoid heartburn
food triggers and stop unhealthy lifestyle that put pressure on your stomach until
your heartburn is cured. However, the list above is just a guide because not all of
them may trigger your heartburn. You should have a diary of the specific
foods and situations that triggers your heartburn and avoid them.
I believe
you can identify your heartburn triggers and take action accordingly. Like I
said if you can’t identify yours after reading this article, visit your doctor.
Using home remedies for heartburn after knowing what causes heartburn is “key” to
heartburn cures.
