What Causes Heartburn? Definitions, Root Causes, And Remedies

Author: Jeff Martin

| Posted: 17-07-2008 | Comments: 0 | Views: 68 | Rating: (130)

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The cause of heartburn is refluxed gastric acid that enters the esophagus and then inflames the lining. This leads to the familiar symptom of heartburn as the throat or chest area discomforting burning feeling, produced either when eating a meal or afterwards.

This distressing and disagreeable ailment is experienced frequently by people in the western hemisphere. It does not automatically mean that you are suffering from a medical problem, if as a healthy person, you get heartburn on an occasional basis. However, if heartburn turns out to be recurrent, it can lead to a problem of acid reflux disease, also known as GERD (gastro esophageal reflux disease).

GERD symptoms are not just limited to heartburn. They can also be experienced as regurgitation, pains in the thorax, bouts of asthma, a hoarse voice and a dry cough, amongst others.

Medical research done in the recent past shows a connection between GERD and cancer of the esophagus. This justifies the need to treat acid reflux in a timely and effective way. GERD can occasion even further suffering if it is neglected and left untreated, possibly being transformed into yet more serious problems.

Some causes cannot be treated or managed, an example being the inherited characteristics that lead to the complaint of heartburn. Other causes may be interlinked, such as bad sleep hygiene, an overly stressful lifestyle, accumulation of toxins, Candida infections and poor diet plans, which can all either directly or indirectly provoke acid reflux. To effectively treat GERD, it is crucial to recognize and treat the underlying reasons of this medical impairment.

To fight heartburn, there are three major types of treatments that a sufferer has available. Medications constitute the first category, whether these are prescription or over the counter. Regrettably, such medicaments are only a short-term answer and may also provoke undesirable side effects. Examples for acid reflux alleviation are H2 blockers, antacids and PPIs. These products concentrate on diminishing the symptoms of GERD by balancing out or diminishing the production of stomach acid.

The second broad category for trying to resolve acid reflux is surgery. There are however major disadvantages to this second category. Surgery is by nature intrusive and can therefore provoke other health problems. It only addresses the physical aspect of heartburn (a malfunctioning sphincter), without any action to get rid of the hidden causative agents that are in fact at the root of the problem. Surgery's objective is to provide reinforcement of the sphincter muscle that seals off the esophagus from the rest of the digestive system, so as to stop gastric acid from getting back into the esophagus. When GERD begins, it is habitually because this sphincter is not shutting when it should, and not blocking the reflux of stomach acids towards the esophageal cavity in the reverse direction.

The third eventuality for heartburn patients is the holistic, all natural approach. This approach is the most efficient and the most effective, as it is the only one to combat the internal malfunction in a holistic way, while at the same time eliminating the symptoms and regaining your body's natural internal equilibrium. It is possible to heal GERD effectively, permanently and safely through the adoption of a program specifically made to target the root causes of acid reflux.

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Article Tags: Heartburn, Heartburn Symptoms, Heartburn Cure, Heartburn Treatment, Heartburn Causes

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About the Author:

Jeff Martin is an author of the best-selling e-book, "Heartburn No More- Open The Door To an Acid Reflux Free Life". To Learn More About His Unique 5-Step Holistic Acid Reflux Cure System Visit: Heartburn No More. For further information visit: Heartburn and Acid Reflux

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Once you have H.Pylori will future blood test always show positive?
By: Misty | 06-08-2008
Hi there..............I have been diagnosed with H.Pylori each time that I get a blood test. I have been treated a couple of times with the medication. Will blood work always show positive for H.Pylori once you have the bacteria? Although I do not have an ulcer and do not have any of the symptoms I have struggled with Chronic fatigue, chronic yeast, cognitive problems such as memory, confusion, confusing words in sentences, chronic constipation for the last 8 years. Would H.Pylori be the cause of those health problems? Not sure if I should do another treatment? thank you

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How do you deal with bile reflux? I think that is why I am not responding 100% to the Prevacid. I had my gallbladder out and I know my diet was not good.

I was diagnosed with Mild Chrnonic Inflammation ...
By: jamie.flitter | 15-08-2007
I was diagnosed with Mild Chrnonic Inflammation about 8 months ago (I guess its also called esophogitis). They put me on some sample meds for the heart burn and had me taking Gaviscon to help coat my throat after meals. After a few months it went away, though i'm not sure any of the meds helped. About 3 weeks ago it started up again. It started out as heart burn, only a couple days of it though, and worked its way into my throat. It feels sometimes like acid is coming back up my esophagus and can sometimes be hard to swallow, it can feel tight and sore. I am still trying to take Gaviscon after meals but I am not taking any meds. I work out regularly and eat pretty healthy, i'm only 22. I need help. I am not sure what to do; get a new prescription and hope that helps, or try something else to get rid of it. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

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I started suffering from heartburn in the last week or two. Nothing in my life style has changed, I can't understand why it happens. Any ideas?

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What Causes Heartburn? Definitions, Root Causes, And Remedies

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