Impact of Heartburn on the Digestive System
For people who have heartburn, the sphincter between the esophagus and the stomach either opens at the wrong time or is weak and doesn't completely close off the opening to the stomach. When this happens, stomach juices and food particles can flow back up into the esophagus more frequently than normal.
If stomach juices stay in the esophagus for long periods of time, or if acid reflux happens often, the natural way the esophagus protects itself from stomach juices may simply be overwhelmed. The lining of the esophagus may become irritated, and this can lead to heartburn.
While they don't necessarily cause the condition, heartburn risk factors increase a person's chances for developing heartburn. Just because you have these heartburn risk factors does not guarantee that you will have heartburn -- it just makes it more likely. Common heartburn risk factors include:
- Being overweight or obese
- Use of tobacco products
- Dietary factors
- Certain medications
- Medical conditions
- Use of alcohol
- Stress
- Hiatal hernia
- Pregnancy.
The most common heartburn symptom is pain or discomfort that starts in the middle of the chest. This sensation can move up through the throat. Heartburn pain can be frequent, constant, and/or severe.
The pain experienced with heartburn can often be confused with the pain associated with having a
heart attack.
(Click Heartburn or Heart Attack? to learn the difference between the two.) Knowing the difference and taking immediate action can save lives.
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