Causes Of Heartburn

There haven't been many studies to help suggest that hereditary conditions play a part in heartburn. However, doctors do believe that the main cause of heartburn disease comes from a hereditary condition in our genes. The other half of our heartburn disease can come from many sources involving diet.

Heartburn disease is the most common digestive disorder in the world. About one in five people suffer from heartburn and/or the regurgitation of acid into the esophagus or mouth. Those who have a usual pattern of heartburn disease are at a greater risk of developing esophageal cancer.

After a July 2003 study in which scientists used 2000 pairs of identical and non-identical twins to determine the frequency of gastrointestinal symptoms and the potential risk for heartburn, they found that 43% cause of heartburn could be attributed to our genes.

However, heredity is just one of many causes of heartburn disease. There are at least ten other common causes of heartburn that you should consider.

Causes Of Heartburn – Coffee And Other Drink

Coffee, tea or other drinks that have caffeine in them are the first and foremost cause of heartburn disease. These types of drinks relax the digestive system and allow the stomach contents to reflux up into the esophagus.

Chocolates

Chocolate stands in second position among the causes of heartburn since it contains concentrations of the obromine, which also relaxes the esophageal sphincter muscle, which allows the stomach to squirt acid up into the esophagus.

Fried And Fatty Foods

Third, to consider is fried and fatty foods. These types of foods slow down the digestion process which causes food to remain in the stomach longer. This increases the pressure on the stomach and allows a reflux of the stomach contents.

Tomato Bases Products

Tomatoes and tomato-based products are other common causes of heartburn. As with the above three conditions it causes the digestive system to relax which leads to heartburn.

Alcohol And Tobbaco

Alcohol not only causes the digestive system to relax like the above items but it also causes an increase in stomach acid, which increases the risks of heartburn disease. Tobacco is also another common cause of heartburn. As the chemicals in cigarettes move from the lungs into the blood stream, they can weaken the esophagus and digestive system making it more susceptible to heartburn.

Causes Of Heartburn – Large Meals

Large meals stand at seventh place among causes of heartburn, since a full stomach puts added pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter. This added pressure increases the change of food refluxing back into the esophagus.

Citrus Fruit

Citrus fruits and juices are another cause of heart. As with most of the other foods and drinks on this list, they cause the lower esophageal sphincter to relax which causes heartburn problems to develop.

Eating Before Bedtime

Eating two to three hours before you go to sleep is another factor in heartburn disease. If you lay down on a full stomach, you will cause the contents to have added pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter, which increases your chances of refluxed food.

Causes Of Heartburn – Wearing Tight Fitting Clothes

Wearing tight fitting clothing or belts stand at tenth place among the causes of heartburn. If you wear anything, tight around the abdomen this will squeeze the stomach and force food up against the esophagus, which causes food to reflux.