What is heartburn?
Heartburn is the uncomfortable burning sensation you feel in your chest and throat, caused by stomach acid leaking up the esophagus. How does heartburn happen? Let's meet the main culprit, the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES).
It's a circular band of muscles at the bottom of your esophagus that acts as a valve to the stomach. In some people it doesn't open and close properly.
This allows the acid in your stomach to flow back up into the esophagus. Since it doesn't have the same protective lining as the stomach has, the acid can irritate sensitive tissues, which causes the pain known as heartburn.
What foods cause heartburn?
Certain types of food are possible heartburn triggers:
greasy & fatty foods
spicy foods
carbonated drinks
alcohol
dairy
certain fruits & veggies
tomato products
caffeine
greasy & fatty foods
spicy foods
carbonated drinks
alcohol
dairy
certain fruits & veggies
tomato products
caffeine
To see more everyday and surprising heartburn triggers, check our FAQs. If you find yourself experiencing heartburn after eating, consider tracking what you eat so you can identify your triggers - and keep a pack of TUMS on hand to soothe your symptoms when they arise!
Can stress cause heartburn?
There is evidence that when you feel stressed you’re more likely to experience heartburn. For this reason, people suffering from stress and heartburn at the same time are encouraged to treat the source of their stress. Talk to your doctor about possible treatments for stress and anxiety, from medication to counselling and lifestyle changes.
What behaviours can trigger heartburn?
We all have quirky habits and most of them are harmless. However, there are quite a few that can cause heartburn:
- There are ones that we do knowingly, like eating large meals, eating too fast, or eating certain kinds of foods.
- Then there are ones we do without thinking about repercussions, like lying down or exercising after eating, which puts pressure on the stomach.
What physical changes can trigger heartburn?
Your own body can act as a trigger and cause the pain of heartburn. Pregnancy, certain foods, and obesity can all cause heartburn, just to name a few. Whatever the triggers or causes of your heartburn, learn more about finding relief here.
