Q: What causes heartburn?
A: Heartburn is all about geometry—it's all about angles. The swallowing tube (esophagus) enters the stomach at a sharp angle that keeps food from regurgitating back up. When this angle is stretched to be less sharp—more straight—by a hernia or obesity, the acid can flow back up the esophagus. The result is a painful acid burn, which takes a few days to heal. For the 20 percent of Americans who suffer from heartburn, there are things you can do. Raise your head up the bed by putting blocks under the headboard or mattress. (Sleeping on extra pillows does not work since you slide off.) Also, eat at least three hours before bedtime so the food has left your stomach and cannot return towards your mouth. Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and pepper. Fiber helps push the food through and can help reduce symptoms. Finally, lose the extra weight to help take the pressure off—and get the angle back to the point where the acid can't swim back upstream. |
