The Egyptian Society for Blood Transfusion Services
Before we know the causes of heartburn, we must explain to you some details about how the stomach and esophagus work, as follows:
• When eating food passes through the esophagus to connect between the mouth and the stomach. At the bottom there is a valve called the sphincter muscle, which either opens to allow the passage of food and then closes to prevent the contents of the stomach from returning to the top.
• Inside the stomach there are many strong acids that digest food, but sometimes the valve does not close properly.
• When the valve is not closed properly, some of it returns
The acid mixture from the stomach into the esophagus, and this is what causes heartburn and reflux, and it may occur due to: pregnancy, hiatal hernia, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and taking medications such as anti-inflammatory drugs and aspirin.
● Risk factors for heartburn, in addition to the causes of heartburn, risk factors are one of the daily causes that a person is exposed to as a result of eating or drinking certain items, such as:
Spicy eating.
• onions.
• Acidic foods.
• Tomatoes and its products such as ketchup.
• Fatty or fried foods.
• Mint.
• Chocolate.
• Alcohol.
• Drinks containing alcohol.
• Big meals.
● There are some factors that increase the injury, which are as follows:
Smoking.
• Overweight.
• Stress.
Not getting enough sleep.
• Wear tight clothes and belts.
● Important tips to relieve heartburn, here are some tips that work effectively in relieving heartburn as follows:
• Eat smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day.• Try to lose weight if you are overweight.
• Relax as much as possible.
• Raise one end of the bed by 10-20 cm by placing something under the bed or under the mattress. The head and chest should be above waist level; So that the acid does not pass into the throat from the stomach.
• Stay away from foods and drinks that irritate the condition.
• Don't eat 3-4 hours before bedtime.
• Do not wear clothes that are tight on the waist.
• Quit smoking completely.
• Do not stop taking the medications prescribed to you by the doctor before you consult him.