Causes
MayoClinic.com Health Library - Heartburn. (n.d.). Home. Retrieved May 24, 2013, from http://www.riversideonline.com/health_reference/Disease-Conditions/DS00095.cfm
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The usual and basic cause of heartburn (a.k.a, pyrosis) is when the lower esophageal sphincter (a.k.a, LES) weakens or opens abnormally. The LES is a circular muscle located at the very bottom of the esophagus. It acts like a 'valve' in the esophagus. In normal conditions, it opens to allow food to pass through into the stomach and then closes back to prevent any back flow of stomach fluids; however, during a heartburn condition, the LES is not closed tightly enough, causing potential hazards of back flow.
Foods which may trigger heartburn: -Tomatoes -Garlic -Onions -Chocolate -Carbonated Drinks Habits which may trigger heartburn: -Overeating -Laying down after eating -Exercising after eating -Pressure on stomach -Drinking alcohol or smoking |