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What causes heartburn? Is it harmful to health ?
Just between your chest and abdomen is where you'll find one of the most important muscles you probably didn't know you had the lower esophageal sphincter or L. E. S.. When functioning properly this ring of tissue plays a crucial role in helping us. But when the L. E. S. malfunctions it becomes the main player in heartburn a searing sometimes sour tasting chest spasms that many people will experience at some point in their lives we know that humans have been battling heartburn for hundreds if not thousands of years. But recently the incidents has risen making it a common stomach complaint worldwide.
When the symptoms of heartburn become more regular and intense such as twice a week or more it's diagnosed as gastro esophageal reflux disease or G. E. R. D.. But what causes this problem and how can it be stopped. Heartburn starts in an area called the gastro esophageal junction where the L. yes resides. This move on muscular ring of the L. E. S. is moderated by an intricate tree of nerve roots that connect to the brain the heart and the lungs. After food enters the stomach from the esophagus the muscles task is to stop it from surging back up again.
The L. E. S. contracts squeezing the stomach entrance and creating a high pressure zone that prevents digestive acids from seeping out. But if E. L. yes relaxes at the wrong moment for gradually weakens it becomes like a faulty ill fitting causing the area to depressurized. That allows burning stomach acid chunks of food to spurt into the esophagus sometimes going as far up as them now. The cause of all this internal drama has long been put down to diet. It's like caffeine and peppermint contains ingredients that may have a relaxing effect on the L. E. S. which makes it incapable of doing its job. Other acidic foods like citrus and tomatoes can worsen the retention of the esophagus when they launch out with stomach acid.
Carbonated beverages can similarly bubble up in the stomach forcing open the valve. But researchers have discovered that food isn't the only trigger smoking poses a risk because the nicotine in cigarettes relaxes the LDS consuming excessive amounts of alcohol may have a similar effect. Pregnant women often experience more heartburn due to the pressure growing on their stomachs and the levels of certain hormones in their bodies. Obesity can cause hernias that disrupt anti reflux of the gastro esophageal junction that normally protects against heart burn. Numerous medications including those for asthma high blood pressure birth control and depression can also have unintended effects on the L. E. S.. An occasional bout of heartburn isn't necessarily something to worry about but if heartburn starts happening regularly it can weaken the L. yes muscle over time leading more and more acid to skate. And if it goes untreated this can cause bigger problems. Over time constant acid leakage from heartburn may form scar tissue which narrows the esophageal to making it harder to swallow food. Ongoing reflux can also damage the cells lining the esophagus a rare condition called Barrett's esophagus which can elevate the risk of esophageal cancer. Luckily heartburn is often treatable with a range of medicines that can help neutralize or reduce stomach acid. In extreme cases some people have surgery to tighten the Ellie yes to minimize their distress. But we can often stop heartburn before it reaches that point reducing the consumption of certain foods not smoking and maintaining a healthy weight can all dramatically reduce reflux. With proper care we can help our L. E. S. is keep the chemical fountain of our stomachs in proper order and avoid having to feel the burn Hey have you ever wondered what those floaty things inside your I. R. check out this video to finally cracked the case.
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