These days there are several causes of heartburn. This is largely so because of the fast paced way we live and the type of foods we consume. Most of these foods contain substances that are responsible for this condition. Their effect on the muscle that controls food entry into the stomach is more or less negative since it causes the muscle to relax thereby allowing stomach content to flow outwards thus causing a burning sensation.
One of the food substances confirmed to have a relaxation effect on the gate-keeping muscle of the stomach is caffeine. It is found in food substances like coffee, tea, and other drinks or beverages that have caffeine in them. The caffeine causes the muscle to relax, causing the content of the stomach to spill out of it. This brings about a burning sensation in the chest area.
Chocolate is another food substance that causes heartburn. People everywhere like chocolates especially children, but this is one disadvantage that it has. It contains a substance known as theobromine, which can be found naturally in plants like cocoa, tea and coffee plants. It has the same effects as caffeine on the esophageal muscle that around the stomach that brings about the same results as caffeine.
Another cause of this uncomfortable condition is the effect of fatty foods. This class of foods naturally causes the process of digestion to be slow. As a result of the lengthened stay of food in the stomach, pressure builds in it. This leads to increased pressure on sphincter which is most times already weakened causing a reflux of acidic stomach content into the esophagus.
In addition, alcohol is another factor responsible for heartburn. The effect can even be more pronounced when taken together with meals that contain fatty and fried foods. It has a relaxation effect on the esophageal sphincter which causes it to open. Once that happens, some of the content in the stomach spills out causing an unpleasant sensation.
The kind of clothes one wears also contributes critically to raise intra abdominal pressure especially with clothes that are tight around the waist. This raised pressure is more pronounced a few moments after a meal. The pressure normally causes the sphincter to relax making the stomach content to spill out. This content that is acidic causes a burning sensation in the chest area.
Other factors associated with causes of heartburn can be anatomical, or physiological. The causes mentioned here are not exhaustive as several other issues can be responsible for this condition. The most important thing is that when one is aware of some of the causes it will help in avoiding or preventing it to the barest minimum.
There are many lifestyle habits and diet choices that are contributing factors for heartburn. Choose a heartburn diet and a heartburn cure will be just around the corner. To find out more free information, visit our website now.
