Heartburn is a fairly common malady in the modern age. It isn’t too uncommon to hear someone complain of a little indigestion or chest pain after a large meal.

Heartburn really has nothing to do with the heart, despite the fact that it shares symptoms with heart attacks. Really, when one experiences heartburn it’s because of stomach acid that seeps into the esophagus and is irritating the lining of it. This is because the valve that keeps the stomach acid in either opens too much or doesn’t close tight enough and lets some amount of the acid through. Occasional heartburn is nothing to worry about, but chronic heartburn should be addressed with a doctor’s visit.

So what really causes heartburn? As mentioned, heartburn is a result of a valve, known as the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), malfunctioning, but something must cause this malfunction. Generally, heartburn is caused as a response to an excess: either an excess of food in the stomach or an excess of pressure on the stomach, such as from obesity or pregnancy.

Certain foods can cause the LES to relax, thus causing heartburn, too. Foods like alcohol, caffeinated products, chocolate, citrus fruits, and tomatoes tend to relax the LES, as does tobacco. Stress can also lead to heartburn because it increases the amount of acid the stomach produces.

Fried or fatty foods are major causes of heartburn and indigestion, especially in modern times with them being in such abundance. These foods are harder to digest and stay in the stomach longer, causing pressure to build in the stomach and forcing open the LES.

There are even small things that one wouldn’t necessarily assume would contribute to heartburn that can ultimately cause it. Laying down too soon after eating forces the stomach’s contents towards the LES and puts pressure on it. It is recommended not to go to bed sooner than four hours after eating. Wearing clothes that are too tight can also cause heartburn. They squeeze the stomach and force the stomach acid up towards the LES, so it is recommended to wear belts slightly loose.

To avoid heartburn, try eating at least three hours before laying down to sleep. If you take naps, try to do so in a chair in a somewhat upright position. Quit smoking and lose weight and make sure you’re not overeating.

For quick relief, one can take antacids at the onset of heartburn. However, these are only a temporary fix and it is not healthy to take too many of them in a day. Antacids neutralize the acid produced by your stomach.

Some other medicines include H2 blockers such as Zantac and Pepcid that actually reduce the amount of acid your stomach makes, which decreases the likelihood of it pressing up through the LES.

Heartburn is a serious condition. If you suffer from chronic heartburn, it is important to follow up with a doctor. If it goes untreated, chronic heartburn can lead to ulcers and an increased risk of esophageal cancer.

Because heartburn is a common pain in the chest, much more serious conditions can be mistaken as a simple case of heartburn. It’s important to be able to tell the difference. Heartburn may cause discomfort, pain, and a bitter taste in your mouth. Call your doctor, however, if, aside from chest pain, you experience shortness of breath, dizziness, sweating, or trouble/pain swallowing. These are not symptoms of heartburn and could be something much more severe.

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