Common Causes of Heartburn

Heartburn is one of the most common medical complaints today, affecting millions of people around the country. It results when the food or liquids in your stomach back up into the esophagus (food pipe). The acidic content of the stomach contents irritate the lining of the esophagus, causing a burning sensation in the chest. Understanding the causes of heartburn is a first step to preventing it.

Food

• There are a number of foods that cause heartburn. These include foods that are acidic such as citrus fruit and juices as well as tomatoes and tomato products. Other foods that cause heartburn are onions and garlic, pickled and spicy foods such as chili, curry and pizza, as well as fatty or fried dishes. Overeating or eating fast can also result in this condition.

Hiatal Hernia

• When a hiatal hernia develops, it commonly causes heartburn. This condition results from the upward protrusion of the upper part of the stomach from the abdominal cavity into the chest cavity. This distortion weakens the stomach valve, making it easier to for the stomach contents to back up into the esophagus.

Caffeine

• Caffeinated beverages such as coffee (both decaffeinated and regular), tea and cola drinks can trigger heartburn. The caffeine content in chocolate and mints can also cause this condition. Coffee and chocolate-flavored foods contain caffeine, which may lead to heartburn when eaten. Carbonated soft drinks like soda pop and root beer can also cause heartburn.

Medications

• Heartburn can be brought on by a number of different medications as well. These include pain relievers such as aspirin and ibuprofen, tricyclic antidepressants, sedatives for anxiety and insomnia, hypertension drugs such as beta blockers and calcium channel blockers, as well as sleeping pills such as Xanax and valium.

Alcohol

• Drinking alcoholic beverages can trigger heartburn by irritating the esophagus and throat. It also relaxes the stomach valve that is at the junction of the esophagus and the stomach, which is designed to keep the food and fluids in the stomach. Red wine is one of the most widely known alcoholic drink to cause heartburn.

Tobacco

• The nicotine in tobacco can cause and worsen heartburn by causing the stomach valve to malfunction, which can allow the stomach contents to backflow into the esophagus. Nicotine also lowers the production level of saliva while increasing stomach acidity, which contributes to heartburn.