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Causes of Heartburn
The human intestinal tract is in a form of a tube with muscles in
the wall which moves the food along. At the bottom of the oesophagus
(gullet) is a muscles encircling the tube which works likes a valve
to stop the food we have eaten from going backwards. In many instances
this is the not the same for everyone. Heartburn then develops when
small amounts of this acid rise up into the oesophagus. This is
called reflux.
The weakness of the valve between to osophagus and the stomach could
be happen to:
- People who are obese can leads to a higher pressure in the
abdomen.
- Pregnancy can cause high pressure in the abdomen and there
is also evidence that the changing hormone levels cause relaxation
of the muscle valve.
- Excessive amount of eating or drinking cause back pressure.
- In hiatus hernia, which is quite a common condition, the top
part of the stomach pokes through the muscle which separates the
chest from the abdomen (the diaphragm), and results in disruption
of the valve mechanism.
- Smoking can also causes the valve to relax and also increases
acid production.
For most people with heartburn it is only a mild conditions and
minimal damage is done to the oesophagus. Like any illness if
early treatments is not done it could become worse.
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Medications or substances causing Heartburn:
The following drugs, medications, substances or toxins are some
of the possible causes of Heartburn as a symptom. This list is incomplete
and various other drugs or substances may cause your symptoms. Always
advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using,
including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or
alternative treatments.
- Aspirin
- Certain arthritis medications
- Diphenidol Hydrochloride
- Vontrol
- Cyclandelate
- Cyclan
- Cyclospasmol
- Cinoxacin
- Cinobac Pulvules
- Choline Magnesium Salicylate
- Trilisate
- Choline Salicylate
- Arthropan
- Teejel
- Bentiromide
- Chymex
- Ascorbic Acid
- Ascorbicap
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GERD
When you swallow, the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) — a
circular band of muscle around the bottom part of your esophagus
— relaxes to allow food and liquid to flow down into your
stomach. Then it closes again.
However, if this valve relaxes abnormally or weakens, stomach acid
can flow back up into your esophagus, causing frequent heartburn
and disrupting your daily life. The acid backup is worse when you're
bent over or lying down.
This constant backwash of acid can irritate the lining of your esophagus,
causing it to become inflamed (esophagitis). Over time, the inflammation
can erode the esophagus, producing bleeding, or narrow the esophagus,
causing difficulty swallowing or even breathing problems. When there's
evidence of esophageal irritation or inflammation, you have GERD.
Some factors that can make GERD worse include:
- Certain foods, such as fatty foods, spicy foods, chocolate,
caffeine, onions, tomato sauce, carbonated beverages and mint
- Alcohol
- Large meals
- Lying down soon after eating
- Certain medications, including sedatives, tranquilizers and
calcium channel blockers for high blood pressure
- Cigarette smoking
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