What Are The Causes Of Heartburn?

Pain or burning in the pit of the stomach, also called heartburn, is a common symptom in the adult population. Gastroesophageal reflux is sometimes referred to as synonymous, although they are not entirely the same. In this article, we tell you what is and what are the causes of heartburn.

Both the burning sensation in the stomach area and the manifestation itself but rising up behind the breastbone (the chest bone in front of the heart) can be trivial. Still, some lifestyle changes are needed to correct this discomfort.

What is heartburn?

The stomach is an organ that is part of the upper digestive system. It is located in the abdomen, at the top and center of it. Above is the esophagus, and below is the small intestine.

The role of the stomach is to help break down food. The acid it produces, called gastric , facilitates the digestion of proteins and the absorption of iron, calcium and vitamin B12. In addition, gastric acid kills most of the ingested microorganisms and limits bacterial growth, with the consequent prevention of intestinal infections.

If stomach acid does not travel to the intestine but returns to the esophagus, we are facing gastroesophageal reflux. We must clarify that some degree of this reflux is physiological. These episodes usually occur after meals, are short-lived, cause no symptoms, and rarely occur during sleep.

On the other hand, when reflux causes uncomfortable symptoms or complications, it is called non-physiological gastroesophageal reflux . This can appear as one of the causes of heartburn, which is a burning or burning sensation in the stomach area or behind the breastbone.

What are the causes of heartburn?

When we eat, food passes from the mouth to the esophagus and from there to the stomach. Among them, there is a muscular ring called the lower esophageal sphincter , which prevents the stomach contents from returning to the mouth.

When, for some reason, in addition to what we call physiological reflux , the acidic contents of the stomach rise, it is possible to experience heartburn. The exact reasons for the causes of heartburn are still under study.

Several theories have been proposed as to the causes of heartburn, such as changes in motility (movements in the digestive tract), changes in acid production, diet, stress, psychological and hereditary factors.

We must clarify that we are not talking about definite diagnoses, such as ulcers or pathological gastroesophageal reflux, irritable bowel and gallstones, although in all these situations it is also possible to feel heartburn.

Risk Factors and Causes of Heartburn

As already mentioned, the causes of heartburn are still under study, although risk factors for its development are recognized. We must avoid all these factors to reduce symptom onset.

Diet is one of these determining factors. It influences the presence of stomach acidity in some people, mainly associated with the consumption of certain products, such as spicy foods or condiments, citrus fruits, tomato derivatives (ketchup), fried or high-fat foods, mint, chocolate, soft drinks and alcohol .

Being overweight can also increase your risk of heartburn. During pregnancy, it is common to notice it for a similar reason, as the enlarged uterus pushes the stomach up and favors reflux due to anatomical changes.

When to go to the doctor?

If specific causes of heartburn are suspected, it is suggested to consult a specialist to rule out other important factors. In this case, the health professional will order additional tests.

A warning sign would be the new onset of heartburn in patients over 60 years of age who did not have it before. If this is accompanied by the presence of gastrointestinal bleeding (bleeding in the stool or vomiting), consultation is essential.

Lack of appetite is another warning sign, as well as unexplained weight loss or difficulty swallowing. Sometimes there is chest pain that is unrelated to cardiac events and comes from the digestive system.

A particular situation is a history of gastrointestinal cancer in a first-degree relative. In other words, if the parents, uncles or grandparents have already had this oncological pathology, it is advisable to increase attention and speed up the consultation if symptoms suggestive of the causes of heartburn appear.

What can you do to prevent the causes of heartburn?

In cases where heartburn episodes or episodes in the sternum are very mild and sporadic, there are recommendations that should be followed that can improve the symptoms:

• Lose weight : if the current is high.
• Raise the headboard : This can be done by placing blocks of wood or rubber under the foot of the bed or a foam wedge under the mattress. Do not use too many pillows as they can cause neck pain.
• Avoid certain foods that make symptoms worse : these include coffee, chocolate, alcohol, peppermint, spices, hot spices, fatty and fried foods.
• Quit smoking : Tobacco is one of the causes of heartburn.
• Anticipating dinner time : lying down on a full stomach can worsen reflux. We should try to plan meals for at least 2 to 3 hours before going to bed.

It is essential not to use over-the-counter antacids. It will always be preferable to consult the doctor about it. If symptoms become more intense, appear at night, or persist for a long time, consult a health care professional.