5 Things Which Trigger Heartburn

Heartburn is a burning sensation that occurs in the lower chest when the stomach acid backs up into the esophagus (food pipe). Heartburn is not a serious health concern and can be easily controlled by simple lifestyle changes.

Here are the common things that causes heartburn:

• Wrong food items

    Fruits like oranges and grapefruits are classic heartburn foods. They are more likely to cause heartburn when consumed on an empty stomach. Tomatoes, spicy food, carbonated and caffeinated drinks also triggers heartburn. Therefore, it is necessary to keep in check the consumption of these food items.

• Eating before bedtime/ Eating frequently

    Eating 2-3 hours before lying down also causes heartburn because the food you have eaten slides up into your food pipe. So avoid eating dinner just before going to sleep. Consuming food items repeatedly and at irregular time also causes heartburn. The more you will eat, the more it will slide up to the food pipe. Therefore, it is important to follow a regular eating pattern.

• Excess weight

    Excess body fat increases your chances to get heartburn. It is because the extra fat causes increased pressure against the stomach, causing fluid to rise up. Therefore, maintaining a healthy weight also plays an important role in managing heartburn.

• Excessive alcohol consumption

    Drinking excessive alcohol consumption can lead to swelling of the stomach that can further lead to heartburn. Alcohol opens the sphincter, which allows acid free range and thus causes heartburn.

• Medications

    There are a number of over the counter drugs that can increase heartburn. Such medications increase the acid production in the stomach, which causes heartburn. Make sure to check with your doctor if your prescribed medicines are the reason for heartburn.

Even though heartburn is not a serious health concern, people who get it frequently should consult their doctor for proper treatment.

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