Cause

• The lower esophageal sphincter is a bundle of muscles at the low end of the esophagus, where it meets the stomach. When the lower esophageal sphincter is closed, it prevents acid and stomach contents from traveling backwards from the stomach

The following below will either:

• Relax the ‘lower esophageal sphincter’  causing acid to enter the esophagus from the stomach to the throat (heartburn)
• Put pressure on the ‘lower esophageal sphincter’ by slowing digestion process.

• Smoking  (Smoking causes slowness of digestion , slow the production of saliva which acts as a defence to acid, slows the production of bicarbonate to help neutralise acid in our stomach, promote bile acid into the stomach- all these factors lead to heartburn).

Food and drink

• Alcohol (this helps to relax the ‘lower oesophageal sphincter’ tissue  (that stops acid entering the throat and alcohol triggers stomach acid production)
• Caffeinated drinks and tea (this helps to relax the ‘lower esophageal sphincter’ tissue and this causes acid to enter the throat as well as irritate the stomach lining)
• Fatty, fried and/or greasy foods (this slows down digestion putting pressure on the ‘lower esophageal sphincter’ tissue and this causes acid to enter the throat)
• Citrus fruits (increase stomach acid production)
• Tomatoes (increase stomach acid production)
• Spicy foods (increase stomach acid production)
• Black pepper (increase stomach acid production)
• Peppermint tea.

Eating Habits

• Large meals -A full stomach can put extra pressure on the ‘lower oesophageal sphincter’ tissue  and this causes acid to enter the throat)
• Eating two to three hours prior to bedtime
• Lying down with a full stomach (puts pressure on the ‘lower esophageal sphincter’ tissue  and this causes acid to enter the throat)

Abdominal pressure

• Overweight
• Wearing tight fitting clothes
• Exercise straight after eating (High-impact exercises that involve jumping, as well as exercises such as crunches)

Medication

• See Medtick ‘Medication’