Certain heartburn risk factors include increased acid production in the stomach, along with structural problems that allow acid to flow into the esophagus. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which a burning sensation is a symptom of stomach acid moving up into the esophagus and causing pain that is felt behind the sternum or breastbone. Acid reflux pain sometimes feels like heart pain, but it is not heart pain.
Acid reflux pain may be in the lower chest or radiate to the back of the throat and may be associated with regurgitation and a dull taste in the back of the throat. If acid reflux is present, coughing can occur. Long-term reflux can be severe, and the acid wears down the enamel on the teeth, leading to tooth decay.
Leaning forward and lying upright after eating a full stomach can trigger these symptoms. To add some more, heartburn comes with complications as well. If these complications are ignored, frequent heartburn and inflammation of the esophagus can lead to ulcers, small areas where the tissue breaks down and bleeds profusely, as well as ulceration. Heartburn can wake the sufferer from sleep leading to sleeplessness.
So far the causes of heartburn are concerned they are many in number. Obesity is one of the leading causes of heartburn. If you are overweight, it puts pressure on the stomach. The extra pressure can cause stomach acid to move up into the esophagus and cause heartburn. Besides, there are certain foods and drinks that can cause acid reflux and heartburn, such as onions, sour fruits and tomato products, high-fat and fried foods, peppermint, chocolate, alcohol, and carbonated drinks such as coffee, cold drinks, tea, and caffeinated drinks.
Apart from these, there are certain medications that can cause acid reflux such as aspirin and asthma medications that can cause heartburn. Moreover, heartburn can also be caused by wrong lifestyle habits like consuming too much fast food, lying down after eating, consuming too much salt, smoking, staying hungry for too long, and eating more meat instead of vegetables. , lack of physical exercise, and alcohol consumption can cause heartburn.
