Causes Of Frequent Heartburn

The stomach is a marvelous organ that is critical in maintaining the health of the individual. This is because the stomach is the receptacle for the food that is eaten. It is through the processing of this food by the stomach that the major digestive action of assimilating the food into energy is accomplished. This in turn provides the proper nutrients that the body needs.

However, like any other major organ in the body, when something goes wrong, it can be extremely painful. One of those conditions that could negatively develop for the individual is the condition known as heartburn. Before talking about the causes of the frequent heartburn, it is important to know what heartburn is.

What Is Heartburn?

Heartburn is that medical condition in which the sufferer experiences a burning sensation in the esophagus. Anatomically, the esophagus runs vertically from the throat area down to the stomach.



Often, the reason why the individual experiences heartburn is that hydrochloric acid, found in the stomach, is released into the esophagus and can travel in distance to an individual’s mouth. Hydrochloric acid is that secretion found in the stomach that helps in the beginnings of the digestive process.

Generally, this burning sensation is located in the middle of the chest or near the heart. Therefore, because it’s a burning sensation located near the heart, the associated pain and feeling of being on fire gives rise to the name of heartburn.

In addition to the pain experienced under the sternum or breastbone, the pain may also radiate up through the throat or near the neck area or near the jaw. Each of these individual areas may be affected or there may be a pain experienced by all of these anatomical areas. Another characteristic of heartburn can be an associated cough.

What Are Causes of Frequent Heartburn

There are several causes of frequent heartburn that may precipitate an episode or episodes of heartburn. Some of those reasons could be the individual’s dietary habits, lifestyle choices, or a malfunction within the proximal end of the stomach or a malfunctioning sphincter muscle.

For example, when it comes to dietary habits, an individual may eat a lot of acidic foods. This acidity in turn causes hyperacidity which in turn causes a need for the stomach to release excessive acid in the stomach.

Another cause of frequent heartburn in an individual may be due to lifestyle choices. Some of those lifestyle choices that can cause hyperacidity can be overeating, consuming caffeine, drinking too much alcohol, smoking, etc.

In addition, one other cause of frequent heartburn due to the release of acid from the stomach is due to the weakening of the sphincter muscle at the top portion of the stomach. If this muscle is damaged or does not hold its elasticity it allows the release of the hydrochloric acid back up into the esophagus. This is known as GERD or gastro esophageal reflux disease.

It is also important to note that many individuals who experience heartburn utilize different types of treatment methods. Some of those treatment methods can include the use of heartburn medicine, controlling diet, losing weight, or a combination of all of these treatment methods.