Heartburn Causes And What You Can Do About Them
Heartburn Causes And What You Can Do About Them
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Heartburn is the common term for what is known as Acid Reflux or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) and it starts out with a soreness and burning area in the upper abdomen that can radiate into the chest and all the way through to your backbone (though most doctors won’t tell you that). But what are the heartburn causes and what can you do about them?
An Increase In Acid Production
The number one heartburn cause is in an increase in acid production in the body. This can be caused by eating foods that are primarily acidic in nature, including coffee, alcohol, fatty and fried foods, fast foods, processed foods, and dairy foods to name a few. To relieve heartburn cut back on all these and eat a more healthy diet and one more alkaline in nature.
Hiatal Hernia
A Hiatal Hernia happens when part of the stomach pushes up through the hole in the diaphragm meant for the esophagus, called the hiatus. A small hiatal hernia most likely will go un-noticed, but a larger one allows for the back flow of stomach acids and foods into the esophagus. This can generally only be corrected with surgery. Exercise, however, will go a long way in strengthening your muscles that help to keep things in their right places.
Pregnancy
Women in the third (and sometimes sooner) trimester of their pregnancy often experience heartburn as the stomach and other organs are pushed out of the way to make room for the baby. Eat smaller meals more often in the latter part of your pregnancy and stay away from processed or fast foods.
Eating Right Before Bed
If you have a full meal right before bed, the sphincter muscle that keeps the stomach closed off from the esophagus can relax and open and you’ll find your stomach contents burning into your esophagus. Make it a rule to give yourself three hours before retiring after a meal.
Smoking
Cigarette smoking is a huge culprit of heartburn because it also increases the acid production in the stomach. Combine this with alcohol and you’ve got a deadly combination for acid production. The only solution for smoking is to quit, period, even if you enjoy it. I quit over two years ago and the stomach relief alone was worth the effort.
Tight Clothing
Clothing that restricts your abdomen and pushes against it can cause stomach acid to be pushed back into the esophagus and cause heartburn. Don’t wear clothing that grips your stomach to the point of sending it into pain. If you value external beauty over internal health, well then go ahead and suffer.
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Jenny Long -
About the Author:
I know exactly how heartburn feels, except my heartburn would hurt all the way through to my backbone. I’ve suffered with it for many years until I found a little known secret: it’s more than the food you eat, it’s about what foods you combine together WHEN you eat. If you want to find out more about heartburn causes and to get a diet for GERD stop by and pick up your free report, Pain Free In 1 Day.
To read more about GERD, acid reflux and heartburn head on over to: http://healthandbeautytips.info/what-causes-heartburn-gerd/
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