Understanding Heartburn
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Video Description:Over 60 million Americans suffer from chronic heartburn. Get the basics on acid reflux.
Transcript:Over 60 million Americans suffer from heartburn at least once a month—that’s a lot of people, a lot of the time! Learn more about this common condition. Despite its name, heartburn has nothing to do with the heart! Actually, heartburn is a painful burning sensation in the esophagus which is caused by acid that refluxes, or seeps up, from the stomach. When you swallow, food passes down the throat through a long tube, the esophagus, to the stomach. A muscular valve called the lower esophageal sphincter, or LES, opens to allow food into the stomach, and then it closes again. At this point, the stomach releases strong acids to help break down the food you’ve eaten. But if the LES opens too often or doesn’t close tightly, that stomach acid can reflux into your esophagus, causing the painful sensation known as heartburn. There are several things that can contribute to the LES that doesn’t tighten or close as it should. In up to 90 percent of cases, the cause is diet. The foods most commonly linked to heartburn include chocolate, citrus fruits and juices, tomatoes and tomato sauces, peppermint-flavoring, and spicy foods, although every sufferer has unique triggers and trigger combinations. Alcohol, especially red wine, caffeinated beverages and tobacco products can also contribute to a flare-up. Another cause of heartburn is constant pressure on the stomach. For this reason, many people who are obese suffer from the condition. Additionally, 50 percent of pregnant women experience recurrent heartburn, due to the weight of the baby on their stomach. Occasionally, certain medical conditions can cause bouts of heartburn. In people with diabetes, for example, gastroparesis can lead to the condition. Gastroparesis is a disorder in which the stomach takes too long to empty, occasionally causing its contents to regurgitate into the esophagus. A hiatal hernia is a condition in which a portion of the stomach protrudes into the esophagus. This can allow stomach acid to back-up and cause heartburn. Asthma has also been linked to a likelihood of heartburn, but the connection is still unclear. Some experts believe that acid in the esophagus triggers an asthma attack by irritating airway nerves. Others suppose that an asthmatic cough can cause the LES to relax. Certain medications can also cause bouts of heartburn. Aspirin and anti-inflammatory drugs like Alleve and Advil in particular, are known to trigger symptoms. Because prescription medications can lead to heartburn, too, it’s important to talk to your doctor if you’re experiencing frequent heartburn while taking prescriptions. Occasional bouts of heartburn, while uncomfortable, are usually not indicative of a bigger problem. However, if heartburn occurs daily or doesn’t respond to basic treatment, you may have a more serious problem and should see your doctor immediately.
Category:Women's Health/Osteoporosis
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