There are many causes of heartburn. Thirty to forty percent of adults have experienced occasional heartburn. However, there are also some people who suffer from very frequent heartburn. Due to the inconvenience caused, most constant sufferers will search for ways to cure their discomfort. Without a good understanding, it will not be easy to find a cure. If you are suffering from heartburn, you must know what causes heartburn before you seek a cure for it.
Heartburn is directly caused by the acid in your stomach. The burning sensation that you feel at your throat is caused by the damage that the acid is doing to your throat. Our stomach produces strong acid to help us digest the food that we eat. Under normal circumstances, the acid will not be able to move up our esophagus. However, when the muscle that prevents the acid from moving up does not function normally, heartburn occurs.
Now that you understand the direct cause of heartburn, you should also know some common indirect causes to heartburn. This will help you understand what causes heartburn better.
Bad eating habits
Bad eating habits are common causes of heartburn. Frequent consumption of high fat meals or spicy meals can lead to heartburn. Also, heavy meals cause the acid in your stomach to rise easily due to the extra pressure on your stomach. Acids manage to rise with less resistance when you are lying down. Try not to take that afternoon nap right after a meal.
Smoking
Smoking increases your chances of heartburn in many ways. Research has shown that smoking reduces the amount of saliva that your mouth produces while increasing the production of stomach acid. Since saliva is capable of neutralizing acid, producing less saliva would increase your chances of heartburn. Smoking also injures your esophagus which should serve to prevent acid from rising to your throat.
Increased stomach pressure
Increased stomach pressure allows the acid to rise to your throat easily. Picture your stomach being compressed. Where do you think the contents of your stomach will go? Pregnancy, obesity and the wearing of tight clothes will increase the pressure on your stomach. After you understand what causes heartburn better, you should try to change your lifestyle to decrease your chances of frequent heartburn. Frequent heartburn can lead to complications that cause greater problems.
