| Many of us suddenly get a burning sensation that | | | | Fried and fatty foods have a tendency to slow |
| starts in the chest. This condition occurs | | | | down the digestion process. This leads to the |
| sometimes just after we have eaten. After our | | | | food being kept in the stomach for a long time. |
| stomachs have digested the food, the stomach | | | | This results in increased pressure to the stomach. |
| juices can sometimes flow into the gullet, or as it | | | | This pressure build-up weakens the LES allowing |
| is correctly called the esophagus. When that | | | | stomach acid to pass into the esophagus. |
| happens the esophagus lining gets irritated and a | | | | Tomatoes and tomato-based products, and |
| burning sensation can felt be especially near the | | | | alcohol also cause the LES to relax. These foods |
| heart. This is the main cause of heartburn for | | | | lead to an increase in the production of more |
| most people. | | | | stomach acid. This is another heartburn factor. |
| The part of the body that is responsible for | | | | The tobacco chemicals in cigarettes weaken the |
| heartburn occurring is the Lower Esophageal | | | | LES, as the chemicals pass from the lungs into |
| Sphincter, or LES as it is sometimes called. This | | | | your blood. |
| valve is responsible for keeping the stomach | | | | Eating large amounts of food any time of the day |
| juices within our stomachs. The intestines of the | | | | puts extra pressure on your lower esophageal |
| stomach are capable of dealing with the stomach | | | | sphincter. Therefore there is a chance that some |
| acids. However if for any reason the LES relaxes | | | | of this digested food will end up in the esophagus. |
| then the stomach juices can flow into the | | | | This is especially true in the night as having a large |
| esophagus and begin causing heartburn. | | | | dinner just before you go to sleep leads to the |
| The walls or the skin of the esophagus are very | | | | digesting food to press harder against your LES. |
| thin, therefore the esophagus can get irritated by | | | | Drinking and eating lots of citrus fruits and juices |
| the acidity of the stomach juices. There are a | | | | also causes the LES to become relaxed. This is |
| few factors for the cause of heartburn to occur. | | | | another cause of heartburn. |
| Here is a list of what is considered to be some of | | | | The last cause of heartburn, is clothing that |
| the top reasons for heartburn. | | | | restricts your stomach. As the clothes press |
| Coffee, tea, and other drinks that contain caffeine | | | | against the stomach walls they force the food up |
| can relax the Lower Esophageal Sphincter, thus | | | | against the LES. |
| allowing the stomach juices to flow into the | | | | In short, and keeping it nice and simple, the best |
| esophagus. Chocolate contains certain amounts of | | | | way to prevent heartburn is to realize that by |
| a substance called theobromine. | | | | changing your lifestyle to avoid many of the |
| This compound is found naturally in many caffeine | | | | factors that are the cause of heartburn, you can |
| bearing plants. The theobromine relaxes the LES | | | | have a healthy happy life stretching out ahead of |
| muscle and causes the stomach acid to shoot up | | | | you. |
| into the esophagus leading to heartburn. | | | | |