Heartburn is commonly thought of as a heart-related disorder but it is not so. Some even had the false notion that it is among the reasons for heart attack. Heartburn has nothing to do with the heart. Heartburn is actually not a serious condition, but it has to be taken care of or it can become more serious. Heartburn can be easily diagnosed by its symptoms and it can also be treated by following some simple procedures. There is a need to know all the symptoms and all the facts about heartburn as it can affect any person of any age; most especially now that even children could become morbidly obese, heartburn has become a greater problem.
What is heartburn?
Heartburn is an irritating sensation felt below the chest. This can be caused by undesirable food habits. Our stomach contains gastric juices and acids that are responsible for the digestion of the food we consume. These gastric juices in the stomach are sealed in by the esophageal sphincter – this is a valve that keeps gastric secretions from flowing back into the esophagus. However, there are times this valve fails, causing a backflow into the esophagus. This backflow causes a burning sensation in the chest region, and is mistakenly thought of as chest pain.
What causes heartburn?
Heartburn is normally caused by eating food that can increase the gastric secretions. The secretions in our stomach increase, depending on the food that has to be digested. Other factors that affect gastric secretions, aside from the type of food eaten, are the quantity of food consumed and the pressure in the stomach. There is a need to know what causes this disorder as it can become serious if left unchecked. Foods that can increase heartburn are oily, junk-food varieties. The troublesome foods that can hinder the esophageal sphincter from functioning properly are alcohol and smoking. Be aware of the causes of heartburn and try to stay away from an unhealthy lifestyle.
What makes heartburn more severe?
Heartburn stays for some time and may go away on its own. This condition is not the same for everyone. If a person is obese and if he gets heartburn, the symptoms can stay for a long time. Only after proper treatment can it be eliminated. Pregnant women and people suffering from other stomach infections can also get drawn-out symptoms. The reason for getting heartburn during pregnancy may be because of the medicines taken in, or it can also be due to the pressure caused by the growing baby, pressing on the other organs such as the stomach.
How does one get rid of heartburn?
Staying away from heartburn is not a tedious job but if it turns chronic, then the cure is difficult. Chronic conditions of heartburn can trigger many symptoms hindering your diet, and so it has to be handled with the best natural methods. Although a lot of medications are available for heartburn treatment, a few simple and inexpensive methods and steps may also be taken for its relief. The best method, naturally, is to take lot of pure water and to sit upright for some time after meals. Immediately lying down after meals can trigger heartburn, so devote some time for the food to be digested properly.
By continuing to use this site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and the use of cookies as described in our Cookie Policy. You can change your browser settings to disable cookies but it may affect your experience of this website.
