The Causes of Heartburn - Might Be Self Inflicted

If Only We Could Call a Mechanic For a Valve Job

We can usually trace the Causes of Heartburn to our lower esophageal  Sphincter (LES) which acts as a valve to block stomach acids from entering the esophagus. This can be caused by many different factors, but most of the time it is lifestyle related due to:

• Obesity  
• Smoking  
• Drinking  
• Substance abuse  
• Bad diet 

But it can also be the result of things beyond our control such as;

• Auto-Immune Diseases  
• Obesity  
• Hiatal hernias  
• Age  
• Substance abuse  
• Pregnancy  
• Prescription Drugs 

The Problems of Life Can Have Indirect Consequences

Hiatal Hernia - Those of us who are over 50 are at a higher risk for hiatal hernias which in turn is a major cause of acid reflux. The hernia weakens the diaphragm which is inter-related to the Lower Esophageal Shpincter (LSE). When this happens, the small, upper part of the stomach slips past the diaphragm which normally holds it in check, and it enters into the thoracic cavity. 

Smoking - The impact of smoking on acid reflux can be multi-faceted. Some scientists suggest that most smokers inevitable swallow the toxic gases contained in the smoke and nicotine, and that these are extremely harmful to the esophagus. It has also been suggested that smoking reduces the amount of saliva that is naturally produced which is necessary for neutralizing the pH of acid in the esophagus.

Drinking Alcohol - Alcohol tends to relax the LES, making it possible for acids to escape through the valve. It also slows the emptying of stomach acids so that they remain long after the person has gone to sleep.

Prescription Drugs - There are many necessary prescriptions that have an unintended negative effect on our heartburn. 
- Opiate based pain medication, in particular codiene, can have a very dramatic impact on stomach acids.
- Anticholinergic drugs because they cause foods to be digested slower.
- Calcium Channel Blockers, which are common among hypertension patients, can be hard on the stomach.
- Antidepressants work on the neurotransmitters of the brain which also control the stomach.

Pregnancy - We owe our mothers so much! Just getting pregnant can be a health risk. One of the many risks is developing acid reflux due to the pressure exerted on the LES by the growing and kicking fetus (sorry mom!). Also, during pregnancy, the hormones estrogen and progesterone work to relax the LES, and combine all of this with an expectant mother's strange food cravings, and you have a recipe for GERD.

Obesity - The effects of obesity on a variety of health problems is always being studied. The concensus on GERD is that the extra weight puts pressure on the stomach and the LES much in the same way that a pregnant woman is at risk. There are also complications caused by those who over eat leaving excess food in the stomach longer than what is safe. Recently, therapies using a Human Growth Hormone (HGH) have been effective in combating obesity.

Scleroderma - Systematic Scleroderma is an auto-immune disease that causes collogen deposits to form on the skin which can result in toughened patches. The collogen can also effect the muscles of the esophagus causing scaring on them and making it difficult for food to pass through.

Other Gastrointestinal Diseases - Other health problems, such as those which cause excessive amounts of Gastrin to be secreted, are also responsible for the development of GERD. Gastrin causes the stomach to produce more hydrocloric acid than usual. Also, there are many diseases such as diabetes cause delays in the time it takes for food leave the stomach, and is one of the major causes of heartburn. 

You may have one or more of these causes of heartburn, and you may be discouraged at the thought of your chances of overcoming them. If so, you can take heart knowing that there is a digestive health blueprint you can follow that will give you an edge over whatever stands in your way.

Are You Suffering From Acid Reflux? Cure Reflux With a Natural Holistic Method Called Heartburn No More. 

GERD is accepted as being a lifetime medical condition since you cannot cure it using medication that only treats the symptoms. An approach like that is merely one dimensional, but GERD is a combination of factors and they are all natural irritants, so a cure would predictably need to be natural as well. Don't just treat Heartburn after it begins, stop Reflux from beginning at all so that you don't need to endure it!

Created by Jeff Martin, Medical researcher, and nutritionist, and member of The AHHA (Nation Holistic Health Association).
 

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