How Does Heartburn Occur?
What is Heartburn?
Heartburn can be a particularly painful type of tissue irritation, although it is not a disease and is usually not indicative of a serious condition. It is a fairly common sensation that is caused by stomach acid splashing out of the stomach and into the esophagus. Heartburn is characterized by a burning sensation throughout the entire esophageal area including the chest, neck and throat. Despite the name, heartburn has nothing to do with the heart.
What Causes Heartburn Symptoms
There is a valve where the esophagus and the stomach connect called the esophageal sphincter. This valve opens to let food go into the stomach and to let gas and vomit come out, but is supposed to remain closed the rest of the time. The reason for this is that food is digested by corrosive stomach acids that can cause pain and damage if they touch the more sensitive tissue of the esophagus. Sometimes, however, the esophageal sphincter opens when it isn't supposed to or it fails to seal tightly, allowing stomach acid to splash or seep out of the stomach and into the esophagus. This can happen as an occasional side effect to any number of foods, medications or activities, but it can also occur as part of a chronic condition like gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD).
Factors That Increase Heartburn Risk
One of the most common stimuli that causes heartburn is food. Certain types of spicy, fatty, fried and citrus-packed foods, as well as alcohol and soda, can create optimal conditions for heartburn. Overeating virtually any type of food can create a heartburn flare-up as well.
Heartburn can sometimes be caused by contorting or restricting the body. Certain sitting, sleeping and activity-based postures can cause the esophageal sphincter to open. Wearing overly tight garments can also cause stomach acid leakage. Hormonal fluctuations have also been proven to increase heartburn occurrence in pregnant women.
Smoking cigarettes and taking certain over-the-counter and prescription drugs can cause a variety of side effects like the weakening of the esophageal sphincter, an increase in the amount of stomach acid produced, and damaging the esophageal lining, all of which contribute to the occurrence and intensity of heartburn flare-ups.
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