Heartburn: What it is and Why it Hurts
Most of us will experience the telltale symptoms of heartburn at one time or another. You finish off a big, delicious meal and within the hour, the painful burning begins. It gets worse if you lie down or bend over, and the sour taste in your mouth simply adds to your discomfort. The symptoms can last for some time if you don't take anything for them. However, most of us chooses to take an antacid or two, at least some of the time, so we can say goodbye to the uncomfortable symptoms and get on with life.
Have you ever wondered why some of us manage to escape painful heartburn most of our lives while others suffer with it on a regular basis? No one knows why heartburn occurs in some people and not others, but medical experts do know what this condition looks like and can offer suggestions on how to avoid it. The first step is to understand exactly how it happens and why it is painful.
The Heartburn Process
When we eat, the food that is chewed up in the mouth passes through the esophagus and into the stomach for the digestion process. At the bottom of the esophagus, there is a muscular ring known as the lower esophageal sphincter, or LES. This ring opens up to allow food to pass into the stomach, then close again to keep the stomach acid from coming back up the digestive tract. However, there are numerous reasons why this LES may not reclose properly. When that occurs, the digestive acids can creep back up into the esophagus and heartburn occurs.
The lining of our stomachs is thick and resistant to the powerful acids inside that are used to break down food particles so they can be absorbed into the body through the intestines. The esophagus does not have any built in protection against these acids. When they back up into the esophagus during a bout of heartburn, the result is a painful burning sensation that leaves you running for the Rolaids. Sometimes you can also experience a sour taste in your mouth if the acids back up into your throat.
The reasons why the LES may not close properly may include a particularly large meal that puts pressure on the digestive system, certain foods that can cause the LES to relax too much to close properly, smoking, lying down after a big meal or some medications. For most, heartburn is only an occasional problem that can be managed sufficiently with the occasional over the counter antacid. However, if you are experiencing heartburn symptoms many times a week, it may be time to talk to your doctor about the best heartburn remedies for you.
