By Olumide Komolafe
Heartburn occurs as a result of stomach acid and enzymes flowing backward from the stomach into the oesophagus causing inflammation and pain in the oesophagus.
Similarly, in a normally functioning
oesophagus, when reflux occurs, the oesophagus has mechanism that will push the
refluxed materials back into the stomach. If these mechanisms do not work, or
work properly, the erosive stomach contents may remain in the oesophagus for a
prolonged period of time. Symptoms experienced from heartburn are;
A burning feeling or feeling of pressure in
the chest just behind the breast bone (the sternum) that may radiate upward
toward the neck.
Chest pain that happens when bending over or
lying down, particularly almost immediately after eating.
A hot, sour, acidic or bitter-tasting fluid
at the back of the throat and/or in the mouth.
A feeling like food coming back into the
mouth or sticking in the chest or throat.
However, acid and enzymes reflux when the
lower oesophageal Sphincter (LES), the ring muscle that normally prevents the
contents of the stomach from flowing back into the esophagus is not functioning
properly. When a person is standing or sitting, gravity prevent the reflux of
stomach contents into the esophagus. This explains reflux can worsen when lying
down.
What increases your chance of having heartburn?
What you
eat: There are certain foods that can worsen heartburn symptoms. Some foods
can weaken the lower esophageal Sphinter (LES), allowing stomach contents to
flow up into the esophagus while other foods will increase the production of
stomach acid. Some of these foods are;
-Fatty foods
-Spicy foods
-Caffeinated tea
-Alcoholic beverages
Medications: Sometimes the medications we
take to treat other conditions can cause heartburn by relaxing the LES allowing
stomach contents to reflux back up into the esophagus.
Lifestyle Habits: What we do and how we do
it, Some of these lifestyle habits are:
Eating Large Meals: expand your
stomach and increase upward pressure against the oesophageal sphincter. It is
better to eat small meals, frequently.
Lying Down Shortly After Meal: Gravity helps
to keep the stomach juices from backing up into oesophagus and assists the flow
of food and digestive juices from the stomach to the intestines. When lying
down especially on a full stomach, the chances of refluxed stomach content
increases. It is best to wait at least two hours after meal, before lying down.
Wearing tight clothes
Smoking also interferes with the LES, making
reflux more likely.
The best treatment to heartburn is to avoid
the pre-disposing factors discussed.
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