What trigger heartburn?

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In the first place you will thought your heart will burn because it’s called heartburn but it’s not, your heart not going burn when its attack you. Occasional it is common and no cause for alarm. Some people can manage the discomfort of heartburn on their own with lifestyle changes and over-the-counter medications.


What is heartburn?

"Heartburn" also known as pyrosis, cardialgia,(In Spanish) or acid indigestion,  is a sensation of burning in the chest caused by stomach acid backing up into the esophagus or behind the breastbone. The burning is usually in the upper and central part of the chest, just behind the sternum and may radiate to the neck, throat, or angle of the jaw.

The burning can worsen or can be brought on by lying flat or on the right side. If it is severe or got pain with additional symptoms like shortness of breath, radiation into your arms or neck, you had to see a doctor to check your condition it could be more serious which can lead to heart attack. Pregnant are most prone on heartburn.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is the most common cause of heartburn. In this condition acid reflux has led to inflammation of the oesophagus.
Why this heartburn happened?

The esophagus (the tube that connects your mouth to the stomach) has a tight band of muscles at the lower end (lower esophageal sphincter [LES]) that closes after the food enters the stomach and prevents the stomach contents to reenter the esophagus. If this sphincter weakens or relaxes at the wrong time, stomach acid can back up into the esophagus, causing heartburn.


How can we know that, what we felt is heartburn, what symptom?

It is when you feel a burning sensation in the chest. May be with sour taste at the back of the throat, or a feeling that something being stuck in your throat.
If you felt shortness of breath, a radiation to the arms or neck, dizziness or cold sweat.


There are some food that aggravate heartburn such as

• Alcohol, Alcohol can relax the lower esophageal sphincter.
• Coffee and orange or other acidic juices are some of the beverages that can worse or trigger heartburn. Fatty foods, fried foods, and some acidic foods (oranges, grapefruits, tomatoes) as well as spicy foods can cause heartburn. 

Now we know some food that aggravate heartburn, so, when we eat this again and the heartburn attack we have an idea the it’s really the cause. But how can we avoid it this food? We ate it every day, well, that’s yours if you want to avoid this heartburn. take alternative those doesn’t acidic, a remedies for heartburn, alternative/life style change, there is a medication, if you won’t life style change, but note if you choose medication you going to returned again and again to the doctor, or why we don’t do it both medication then life style change much better, so, we have 3 option life styled change to take away acidic food, medication then eating again acidic food because you healed after eating acidic food the heartburn attack you again and last option medication and life style change this is after medication you’re not going to eat again the acidic food, it’s your choice.


In Lifestyle changes

• We take Weight loss program, keeping ideal weight because Excess weight increases the pressure on the stomach, were it will increase the chance of acid reflux into your esophagus.
• Quit smoking: Smoking interferes with the proper functioning of your lower esophageal sphincter.
• Food control: Avoid foods that trigger heartburn Consider keeping a food journal to alert you to foods that make your heartburn worse. Decrease the amount of food you eat.

What trigger heartburn?

• Heartburn is not a reason not to exercise. In fact, weight loss from exercise can actually help heartburn. But don’t exercise on a full stomach. Doing so increases abdominal pressure, which makes heartburn more likely. Wait for about two hours after eating before working out.
• Exercise, like Crunches and abs work can trigger heartburn.
• Body positions that involve bending over increase pressure on the abdomen, thrusting stomach acids back up into the esophagus may aggravate heartburn symptoms.
• Activities such as headstands and yoga moves like downward dog can reverse the natural flow of stomach contents and may trigger heartburn
• Jogging or aerobics, can slosh stomach contents around and upward if you have a weak LES.
• Foods, Large meals and fatty foods, a big greasy burger and super sized serving of fries right before bedtime is a good way to fuel the flame of heartburn.

The Prevention, Medication and Treatment.

• If heartburn occurs when lying down or you are experiencing heartburn at night, Elevate the head of the bed, elevating the head of the bed will decrease reflux.
• Avoid pillows that raise the head only, as this does little for heartburn and places continuous strain on the neck.
• Avoid certain foods that relax the opening between the stomach and esophagus, such as chocolate, peppermint, and chamomile tea shortly before bedtime. It relaxes the opening between the stomach and esophagus.
• Tight clothing, around the abdomen can increase the risk for heartburn because it puts pressure on the stomach that can cause the food and acids in the stomach to reflux to the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). So, wear lose cloth when you sleep.
• Avoid overeating. Eat five or six small meals each day, instead of several large meals. Avoid eating before bedtime. Wait for 2 hours to digest your food before lying down. Lying down makes digestion difficult and makes heartburn more likely.

The Over the Counter and prescription medications.

• Medications that neutralize stomach acid (antacids): Antacids (Mylanta, Maalox, Rolaids, Tums) provide quick relieve because they decrease the acid. These medications don't heal existing damage to your esophagus nor prevent future episodes of heartburn.
• Medications that reduce the production of acid: These medications are named after the receptor they block (H-2 blockers) and are available as over-the-counter as well as prescription medications. Their symptom relief tends to last longer than antacids, but it also takes longer for them to start working. They are available as several brands and formulations (ranitidine [Zantac], nizatidine [Axid], cimetidine [Tagamet], famotidine [Pepcid]). Depending on the strength they are available over-the-counter and by prescription.
• Medications that block acid production: Proton pump inhibitors (for example, omeprazole [Prilosec], lansoprazole [Prevacid]) block the production of acid. This then allows healing of the damaged esophagus.

In Surgical procedures.

Laparoscopic surgical procedures are available to treat heartburn. This option is usually only chosen if lifestyle changes and medications have not helped.
But before you take any OTC medication you have to see first your Doctor, how your doctor diagnoses you?


The doctor will evaluate if there is any damage and how severe your heartburn is, the following tests can be do

• Endoscopy: A flexible scope is passed down the esophagus to examine the esophagus as well as the stomach. Biopsies can be taken if indicated. This lets the doctor see if there is any obvious damage, and also eliminate other reasons for the patient's symptoms (foreign body, malignancy).
• Upper GI series (upper GI series): After drinking a liquid that coats the inside of the digestive tract, X-rays are taken. These X-rays will show the outline of the digestive system.
• Ambulatory pH testing: This test measures the acidity in the esophagus via a small tube that goes through the nose into the stomach.

Much better if we know how to prevent heartburn, so, we can live without worries from this heartburn, how we can prevent it?

As it say before a lifestyle changes. Your life style will prevent the heartburn, Stop smoking, lose weight, and watch what you eat (sounds familiar?). If we do this there is no heartburn will happened, there is no mediation too.

Source. Medicine Net Wikipedia Cardialgia WebMD