Heartburn Facts

Heartburn Hangover – Why Alcohol Causes Heartburn

Most of us have had the not-so-great experience of waking one morning to a pounding headache and nausea, realizing that that we could have stopped a few drinks short of this misery. Excessive alcohol consumption can have a triple-impacting effect on the digestive system that leads to nausea, indigestion, and what we know as a “heartburn hangover”.

Just like a hangover headache, a heartburn hangover is an unfortunate effect of drinking too much alcohol. This is actually the result of a few different mechanisms at work and the ingredients in most alcoholic beverages.

Heartburn, and heartburn hangover, is the result of acid reflux. Acid reflux is a condition in which the natural acids in the stomach rise up into the esophagus causing the irritation. Most people will experience acid reflux and heartburn a few times through their life.

Heartburn after drinking alcohol happens because of alcohols effect on the body’s physical functions, as well as the chemical reactions that happen in the stomach. These reactions can be a result of the alcohol itself or something the alcohol has been mixed with, as we will explore below.

How Alcohol Affects the Digestive System

Normally, a round muscle known as the LES (lower esophageal sphincter) is closed and the acid is prevented from entering the base of the wind pipe. When we drink alcohol, the lower esophageal sphincter relaxes and allows that acid to enter the tube. Once the LES is open, we are vulnerable to a number of the other effects of these beverages.

Not only does alcohol cause the LES barrier to malfunction, it is a depressant and makes most of us want to go to sleep when we reach a certain threshold of intoxication. Add to this that we often drink alcohol in the evening and go to sleep with alcohol still in the stomach, and we have another recipe for heartburn.

Laying down can cause stomach acids to move toward the esophagus and if we lie down shortly after drinking alcohol, there might be a large amount of liquid ready to flow into it. Additionally, laying down causes the organs in the body cavity to shift slight, this increases gastric pressure. Gastric pressure can force liquids from the stomach into the esophagus. Many people with chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) experience heartburn in the middle of the night for this reason.

The Role of Alcohol Mixers in a Heartburn Hangover

To gain an understanding of how a heartburn hangover can be made worse, we need to first take a look at what types of liquids are most likely to cause heartburn in general. Acidic fruits, caffeine, and carbonated beverages are all commonly offending foods for people who suffer frequent heartburn. They react with stomach acids and cause acid reflux to occur more often.

Now let’s look at the most popular alcoholic drink mixers. Fruit juices including grapefruit juice, orange juice, lemon juice, and lime juice are present in traditional mixed cocktails. “Screwdrivers” are a mixture of vodka and orange juice. “Greyhounds” are a mixture of grapefruit juice and gin or vodka. Lemon and lime juices, along with tequila, are used when concocting a margarita.

Carbonated sodas are another popular mixer for alcohol-based beverages. The classic “Jack and Coke” or “Seven and Seven” contain liquor and carbonated soda. Finally, caffeine is becoming a popular additive in alcoholic beverages for its properties of keeping us alert and awake. Energy drinks mixed with alcohol not only entice us to drink more by making us feel more alert and therefore sober, they can cause severe heartburn hangover because they contain caffeine, fruit juice, carbonation, and alcohol.

If you are suffering from a heartburn hangover, check out our top heartburn remedies that are featured on our homepage.

Medical Term for Heartburn and Other Related Terms

Pyrosis (“burning” in Greek), is the medical term used to describe a burning sensation behind or just below the breastbone. It is a symptom of stomach acids that have found their way into the esophagus and is more commonly known as “heartburn”. After all, this site is about heartburn remedies.

Other medical terms associated with heartburn are used in the medical field so that doctors and specialists can convey a person’s exact condition or symptom in a concise manner.

Other Medical Terms that Are Related to Heartburn (Pyrosis)

Attempting to decode some medical terms can feel like you’re trying to read Greek with no previous experience in the language. In many cases, the words really are Greek or at least a Latin variation based on a Greek word. Medical experts use these terms for simplicity in their own reporting and when we take a closer look at many of them, the language begins to make sense.

Esophagus – The esophagus is the tube that we use to get food from our mouth to our stomach. It begins at the top of the throat (just behind the back of the mouth) and ends at the very top of the stomach. This is the organ that becomes irritated and burns when it comes into contact with stomach acids.

Gastric – Gastric is a medical term that refers to something related to the stomach. A related word, “gastro”, is a prefix that comes at the beginning of many medical terms that refer to an area of the gastric system.

Reflux – Reflux is a medical term that refers to what happens when heartburn is felt. It refers to the process by which stomach acids have entered into the esophagus.

Gastroesophageal Reflux – If we put all of the terms above together we get a variation and a medical term that means “acids have entered into the esophagus from the stomach”. Gastroesophageal reflux is a medical term that combines the word “gastric” and “esophageal” and “reflux” to indicate a relation between the digestive system as a whole and the esophagus by itself.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease – Also known as GERD, this is a condition in which the acids in the stomach frequently enter the esophagus. GERD is the most common reason for chronic heartburn (pyrosis) and often requires changes in diet and lifestyle, along with special medications.

Dyspepsia – Dyspepsia is a medical term that refers to upset stomach or general nausea. Upset stomach is a symptom of GERD and often occurs along with heartburn in people who experience occasional acid reflux, as well.

Eructation – Eructation is a medical term referring to another common symptom that can come with heartburn: belching. In literal terms, belching is the act of expelling gasses from the stomach but passing them from the stomach, up the esophagus, and out of the mouth.

Gastric Distention – Gastric Distention is a medical term that means bloating in the stomach. In GERD and acid reflux cases, this is usually caused by gastric pressure or gasses that have accumulated in the stomach. Eructating, belching, these gasses usually helps with bloating.

Are Heartburn and Joint Pain Ever Linked?

A person taking any one of the thousands of synthetic drugs on the market to treat an illness are subject to that medication’s side-effects. Because heartburn and joint pain may seem to be two very unrelated ailments, it’s easy to ignore that they could be connected through a common bond: a medication.

One of the more direct links is found in the medications that are used to treat heartburn; they can cause joint pain. Likewise, medications used to treat arthritis can cause heartburn. Finally, there is a very common condition that has the potential to cause joint pain and heartburn.

Common Medications that Link Heartburn and Joint Pain

Some medications that are used to treat heartburn cause joint pain. Joint pain as a result of heartburn treatment is a likely cause for those experiencing heartburn and joint pain, especially after starting a new medication.

Omeprazole (Prilosec) is a very common, over-the-counter remedy for heartburn and acid reflux. It is a proton-pump inhibitor that works on heartburn by preventing the ducts that pump acids into the stomach from working properly. (It also can cause the frequent urge to urinate, which can lead to dehydration that increases the severity of heartburn and joint pain.)

Famotidine is another popular heartburn medication that causes joint pain as a side effect, along with muscle cramps and headache. It too can lead to dehydration that aggravates heartburn and joint pain through side effects like vomiting and diarrhea. This medication is an H2 Blocker that lessens the amount of acid produced by the stomach.

Medications for treating joint pain can cause heartburn, too. Celebrex is used for osteoporosis and arthritis. One of the side-effects of Celebrex is upper gastrointestinal reactions, including gastroesophageal reflux, also known as heartburn.

A Very Common Condition Linking Heartburn and Joint Pain

One of the most common human ailments the world over, dehydration, can cause both heartburn and joint pain – especially if the condition persists for an extended period of time.

Dehydration is a lack of fluid (water) in the body and if it becomes severe enough, it causes death. It is uncommon for an individual to die of dehydration in this day and age, but it is not uncommon for a person to be dehydrated without realizing it.

Dehydration occurs when we spend too much of the fluid in our body and fail to replenish it. This can happen by sweating too much, during a sporting event or at the gym for example. It can also happen to people with diabetes and those who use diuretics because of excessive urination.

Fevers, vomiting, and diarrhea can also lead to dehydration. People who are sick with a common cold or flu become dehydrated for these reasons, in addition to avoiding liquids because of nausea or lack of appetite.

While heartburn and joint pain are not common symptoms of short-term dehydration, they can become a problem for those who are dehydrated much of the time. (Such as with diabetes when the patient does nothing to rehydrate the body.)

Joint pain can occur when the body uses liquids between the joints after all of the other reserves in the body are depleted. (Headaches and muscle pain will be common, as well.) Heartburn can be severe when no fluid is retained in the stomach because the stomach acids become heavily concentrated.

More common symptoms of dehydration are dry, sticky mouth and feeling tired most of the time.

Heartburn on an Empty Stomach

Heartburn can occur any time the acids in the stomach enter into the esophagus. This can occur because of food, because of beverages, or because there is simply too much acid in the stomach.

Heartburn symptoms can also occur because the lower esophageal sphincter is not closing properly and allowing acid into the throat or because gastric pressure is forcing acids up into the esophagus. The stomach can be completely full (too full) or completely empty when heartburn happens.

Changes to your diet and habits also have an impact on acid reflux and heartburn. If you are accustomed to exercising on a regular basis and suddenly stop the routine, it can cause heartburn at times when you would not expect it.

The lining of the stomach secretes acids that are used to help digest foods. Since this is the job of the stomach, the lining in the stomach is usually unaffected by the acids. (In some cases, bacteria and medications can weaken the lining and cause ulcers to forms.) The esophagus is not protected from these acids, leaving us vulnerable to feel the sensation known as heartburn when the stomach acids rise.

When we do not eat for long periods of time, this acid becomes concentrated. This can make heartburn much worse because it is not diluted with food. Chances are, if you experience heartburn on an empty stomach you are also feeling dyspepsia – a general ill feeling in the stomach area. It might be accompanied by nausea and indigestion, as well.

All of these are signals that the acids in your stomach are wreaking havoc on your digestive system.

Relieving Heartburn on an Empty Stomach

It might seem obvious, but eating something is the fastest way to relieve this type of heartburn. Many people have this problem and if it is something that happens often between meals, consider eating more frequently. This can be accomplished without weight gain by simply spreading the calories out over the course of your day. (Some fitness experts believe this can even help with weight loss and kick starts the metabolism.)

Other things you might try include eating foods that are heartburn friendly. Certain foods are well known for causing heartburn. By figuring out what causes you to have heartburn, whether it is because of an empty stomach or the consumption of spicy foods, can help to eliminate it as much as possible.

Remember that a lot of beverages can cause heartburn as well. Alcohol and coffee, as well as carbonated sodas and citrus drinks, can cause significant heartburn in some people. Water is the best beverage to drink on an empty stomach.

Citrus juice like orange juice, grapefruit juice, and lime or lemon mixes can be especially harmful on an empty stomach since it is so high in acid contents. Tomato juice is another highly acidic beverage that can cause heartburn on an empty stomach and should therefore be avoided.

If you do experience heartburn on an empty stomach and decide to eat something to relieve the symptom, avoid heartburn triggering foods. A leafy vegetable, raw fiber, raw yogurt, and other less seasoned foods are the best things to eat if your stomach is already empty. Consuming a fatty hamburger will only increase the amount of acid in your stomach.

Two Common Causes for Heartburn in Young Adults

Heartburn in young adults is a sign of acid reflux and is commonly due to medications or the consumption of foods that relax the muscles that keep acids that are produced in the stomach from entering the throat (esophagus).

Certain foods can cause the over production of acids while relaxing these muscles, but this is more common in people who have reached a more mature stage of life. Alternatively, a person can develop chronic acid reflux during adolescence, a disease known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD),

More commonly however, heartburn in young adults is attributed to alcohol consumption and medication side effects. Regardless of the cause of heartburn however, the reason young adults might experience heartburn is similar to those who have acid reflux symptoms at any age.

How Heartburn in Young Adults Happens

Heartburn in young adults is the result of increased acid production and a weakened LES. The LES, or lower esophageal sphincter, is the muscle that prevents stomach acid from entering the esophagus.

When we eat certain foods or take certain medications there are two primary reasons it can cause heartburn; the substance relaxes the LES or causes an increased production of stomach acids. Some substances cause both to occur and this is usually the case with heartburn in young adults.

Substances that relax the LES muscle include chocolate, alcohol, and some medications.

Substances that cause a higher production of acid in the stomach include medications, citrus fruits, carbonated drinks of any kind, and alcohol.

Consuming any of these substances can lead to heartburn in young adults. When consumed in combination, such as citrus mixed drinks, the risk of acid reflux increases.

Why Alcohol Consumption Causes Heartburn in Young Adults

By understanding what types of things commonly cause heartburn in young adults, we can easily see how alcoholic beverages can cause heartburn in young adults.

The first (and perhaps most important) component of heartburn is a relaxed LES. All alcoholic beverages cause this muscle to relax. With the LES open, any extra production of stomach acid can cause heartburn if it is allowed to enter the esophagus.

The second component is increased stomach acid. Since many of the most common alcoholic beverages include items that directly increase the risk of stomach acid production, heartburn in young adults who drink these beverages can be inevitable for some.

Citrus is a common component in alcohol based cocktails. Margarita mixers are made from lime, vodka is often mixed with orange juice, and grapefruit juice is commonly used as a mixer, as well. These three citrus fruits makes up the base for hundred of mixed drinks alone.

Carbonated soda is another very common mixer for alcoholic beverages. To add to the likelihood of heartburn, many carbonated sodas used as drinks mixers are flavored with lemon and lime (citrus). Carbonation also causes gastric pressure, another reason for stomach acids to be pushed up and into the esophagus. Carbonation is the reason beer makes us burp and the reason it is so filling for some people.

Why Medications can Cause Heartburn in Young Adults

Not all medications cause heartburn in young adults. Those that do are likely to cause heartburn in mature adults, as well. Some of the most common types of medications to cause this side effect include over the counter pain medication and analgesics like ibuprofen and aspirin.

It should be noted here that these two drugs are often taken for the residual effect of alcohol consumption, as well. With alcohol still in the stomach and the LES relaxed, these two items can cause a triple-threat of sorts for heartburn in young adults that drink alcohol.

Tricyclic antidepressants, antibiotics, potassium and iron supplements, and even sedatives can carry the side effects related to acid reflux.

Less likely to be a cause for heartburn in young adults simply because they are less likely to need them, but still worth mentioning are medications that control blood pressure and some supplements that target bone strength.

Why Heartburn in Young Adults is Less Common

In most people, heartburn is caused by short term acid reflux, a chronic acid reflux disease like GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), or certain foods that cause higher amounts of acid to be excreted by the stomach. These acids in the stomach that are meant to help us digest food can find their way into the esophagus as a direct result of a relaxed or weakened LES.
As we age, stomach acids erode the health of the LES and it becomes weaker, so heartburn in older adults occurs more frequently than heartburn in younger adults will occur.

Heartburn and Gas Are Common Symptoms of Acid Reflux and Ulcers

Heartburn and gas are common symptoms of digestive problems related to acid reflux. They may also be related to the development of stomach ulcers. These two symptoms are very common among the general population and most people experience both a few times in their lives or more.

While not usually a cause for significant concern, heartburn symptoms and gas can be uncomfortable or painful. Heartburn happens when stomach acids rise up into the esophagus, a part of the body that is not protected from acids. When this happens, we feel a burning sensation in the chest. Gas can be just as painful, especially in cases where it is difficult to belch.

There are two types of digestive gasses; the kind that develops in the stomach and the kind that develops in the intestines. Gas that is associated with heartburn develops in the stomach and can make us feel bloated and full. This is called gastric pressure and it is the same force that can cause stomach acids to rise up and cause heartburn.

People who experience gas and heartburn often regurgitate stomach acids as well. Regurgitation happens when the acids that cause heartburn make it all the way up the esophagus and into the mouth. It causes a sour taste in on the tongue and can leave a sore throat behind in its wake.

What Causes Gas with Heartburn?

Heartburn is always caused by acid reflux. This may happen because of food we have eating, some beverage we have consumed, or because the stomach is producing too much acid. Another common cause of heartburn that was mentioned above is gastric pressure – which includes the accumulation of gasses in the stomach.

Gas can also accumulate when we drink carbonated beverages like sodas or sparkling water and juices. Swallowing too much air while we are eating or drinking will cause air to be trapped in the stomach as well. (This can happen if we try to eat too quickly.)

Gastric pressures in the stomach are usually cause by the digestion of food. As the food breaks down, it releases carbon dioxide and other gasses into the stomach. When the pressure becomes more than the lower esophageal muscles (LES) can handle, we belch.

The LES is responsible for keep the contents of our stomach in our stomach. But when gas builds up, the LES opens to let it out. If there is a high amount of stomach acids present, they may come out with the gas. Since the gas is forced to rise all the way out of our esophagus, any acids in front of the gas are going to come up too –this is regurgitation.

Another common cause of gas is a bacterium that causes peptic ulcers and gastritis (swelling of the stomach lining). Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and peptic ulcers are often present at the same time.
The bacteria, known as h. pylori, survive in the acid environment of the stomach by creating ammonia to neutralize nearby stomach acids. It created ammonia by converting a naturally occurring urea into ammonia. During this process, carbon dioxide is produced. This gas can also lead to excessive belching, which can be a sign of h. pylori infection.

Gas with heartburn is most commonly a product of our diet, however. Fatty foods that are rich in animal proteins are harder to digest and remain in the stomach for a longer period of time than other types of food. While they are there, the stomach is creating as much acid as it takes to digest the substances.

If the LES opens during this period, we can experience heartburn. This type of food also causes gasses to be released as it is broken down into something that can pass through the stomach to the intestines, which leads to a rise in gas.

Don’t Know What to do About Heartburn? Answer these 3 Questions

Heartburn is a common symptom of acid reflux that we will all experience at least once in our lifetime. For some of us, acid reflux is a part of our daily lives or happens frequently enough to prompt us to find out what to do about heartburn.

Whether you have heartburn only occasionally or find that you are constantly chewing antacids to battle the burn, there are many ways to treat and prevent heartburn. Before deciding what to about heartburn it is important to understand the mechanics of acid reflux – the condition that causes us to feel heartburn in the first place.

Acid reflux occurs when the secretions in the stomach that help us digest food (acid) are able to make their way from the stomach and into the throat (reflux).

Normally, a muscle known as the LES (lower esophageal sphincter) that is located right where the stomach and esophagus meet prevents this from happening. The LES remains closed until we swallow food or drink when it opens only briefly to allow the contents into the stomach.

The LES relaxes several times a day on its own and if it relaxes at a time when the production of stomach acids are high, like after eating an orange fruit, acid reflux may occur. Also, certain conditions can cause the LES to be relaxed more often or prevent it from closing completely including pregnancy, hiatal hernia, and esophagitis.

In any event, what you choose to do about heartburn should be based on a few factors that may make your treatment more effective.

1. How often do you feel heartburn?

Occasionally: If you only experience heartburn occasionally, but it seems to be severe when it does happen you may have the most success with antacids. Also, consider the foods that you have eaten. Figuring out that your problem is lined to a certain food you only eat occasionally makes it easy to figure out what to do about heartburn. (See trigger foods below.)

Frequently: If you find that you have heartburn frequently, you may be suffering from a condition known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD can be severe in some cases and a visit to the doctor for prescription medication may be necessary. However, the majority of people that experience frequent heartburn find that making simple changes to their diet is most effective. If you have tried this already and still don’t know what to do about heartburn that keeps occurring, there may be another reason for your heartburn symptoms.

2. When do you usually experience heartburn?

Heartburn can be more likely to occur under certain conditions. You can figure out what to do about heartburn if any of these apply to you by changing your habits. Remember, it’s often about trial and error. If a prevention method doesn’t work, your heartburn may be caused by something else.

Heartburn when lying down – this can happen for purely physical reasons. If you just finished eating, you can bet that your stomach is producing acids to digest the food. If you lie down while that is happening then gravity alone can allow the acids into the esophagus. To make matters worse, your organs shift slightly when you are lying down which can increase pressure in the stomach. Gastric pressure forces the LES open. What to do about heartburn in this case is simple: remain upright after eating to allow time for digestion. If you fancy a nap after eating like many of us do, try to nap in a recliner or with your upper body propped up.

Heartburn after eating – barring any medical condition such as GERD and any medications that may carry heartburn as a side-effect you may experience heartburn after every meal by overeating and wearing tight clothing. Both of these circumstances (and pregnancy) cause increased gastric pressure that can force the LES open or force acids into the throat. What to do about heartburn caused by gastric pressure? Simply loosening your clothing and eating smaller meals, even if more frequently, can help to alleviate your symptoms.

Heartburn before eating or on an empty stomach – the stomach is always producing fluids to digest food. If you experience heartburn without eating anything it may be because of a concentration of acids and a relaxed LES. Because there is no food to dilute the acid, even the smallest amount of reflux on an empty stomach can be painful. What to do about heartburn for this reason is probably obvious: eat something and make sure it’s not one of your trigger foods. If you find that this happens a lot when you have an empty stomach, try to eat small meals or snacks throughout the day.

3. Do you eat a lot of well-known trigger foods?

Trigger foods are those which cause acid reflux. The most common offending foods are citrus fruits, fatty foods (including whole milk dairy products), spicy foods (heavily seasoned), and caffeine or carbonated drinks. Carbonated drinks increase gastric pressure, as well.

Acid reflux can also occur when we have consumed something that causes the LES to relax. Foods like chocolate and drinks containing alcohol can cause the LES to become relaxed and lead to acid reflux.

What to do About Heartburn that is Severe

It is reasonable to seek assistance with daily heartburn because of the discomfort is causes. It is important to treat heartburn for medical reasons too, however. Over time, heartburn can cause significant damage to your esophagus and leads to even more heartburn and even throat cancer in some cases. Though it is an uncomfortable symptom of acid reflux, heartburn is not as harmful if it only occurs occasionally.

How Long Does Heartburn Last?

“How long does heartburn last?” is a common question among sufferers of acid reflux and other conditions that cause heartburn. Heartburn symptoms may last for only a few minutes or it may last for several hours. It can reoccur over a period of several days following a spicy meal or occur many times over a period of years depending on its cause.

The trigger for heartburn greatly affects the number of times one will experience bouts of heartburn. Conditions that trigger heartburn such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or hiatal hernia can cause episodes that last for several hours each. Food triggered heartburn in people with no other condition that predisposes them to acid reflux generally lasts just a few minutes or up to a few hours when those foods are consumed.

How long does heartburn last after eating a trigger food?

Foods that are acidic such as citrus fruits and those that contain caffeine such as coffee or chocolate can cause temporary heartburn. Other types of food and drink that are known to cause bouts of heartburn include alcohol, spicy foods, and fatty foods – to name a few. Heartburn brought on by foods usually lasts only as long as it takes the body to digest the food and clear it from the stomach area. It may take just a few moments or several hours for the heartburn to subside.

How long does heartburn last after over-eating?

Over indulging on your favorite spicy Mexican dish, that hearty winter chili, or having more than a few citrus and alcohol rich margaritas with dinner is another common trigger that can cause heartburn that seems to last. Over-eating may cause heartburn to linger on for several hours because it simply takes longer to digest more food. Over-eating also causes the stomach to stretch, which can make it impossible for the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to close, a muscle that prevents acid from entering the esophagus. Add a chocolate dessert and you have a triple threat for heartburn because chocolate is known to relax the LES.

How long does heartburn last if it’s triggered by hiatal hernia?

Most cases of heartburn occur because of a hiatal hernia in which a portion of the stomach extends up and into the esophagus. Where the stomach normally meets the esophagus, a muscle known as the LES works to keep food that has entered the stomach, as well as the acids in the stomach, from entering the esophagus.

Hiatal hernia weakens the lower esophageal sphincter, allowing food and stomach acids to easily back up into the esophagus and cause the symptoms of acid reflux, which includes heartburn. Hiatal hernia is often asymptomatic (showing no symptoms at all). For those that do experience symptoms however, acid reflux that causes heartburn is a very common complaint. Heartburn cause by hiatal hernia can last for several hours and generally subsides after food has been digested.

How long does heartburn last during pregnancy?

Heartburn occurs during pregnancy because of gastric pressure in the stomach that weakens the LES and allows food and stomach acids up and into the esophagus. As the uterus becomes larger, other organs are moved within the body cavity to accommodate the growing fetus. This applies pressure to the contents in the stomach. Additionally, hormonal changes cause acid reflux to occur more often as well. Heartburn during pregnancy will last from several minutes to several hours for the length of the pregnancy. Symptoms typically subside after birth.

How long does heartburn last if it’s a side-effect of medication?

Certain medications cause acid reflux and heartburn symptoms. In many prescriptions medications, this can be a temporary side effect that passes with time. However, heartburn that continues to occur may prompt you to discuss alternatives with your doctor. In either case, heartburn caused by medication may last for hours or days, depending on how your stomach reacts to the drug.

How long does heartburn last in people with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)?

GERD is a life-long condition that can be minimized by making appropriate lifestyle and diet choices. Just like food and medication triggered acid reflux, GERD is triggered by what we put into our stomach, how much we eat, and other variables that can cause temporary reflux. GERD simply refers to a chronic condition in which acid reflux or heartburn occurs on a regular basis following exposure to a trigger. Heartburn caused by GERD will last the same amount of time per episode, depending on the trigger. Episodes of heartburn can reoccur any time acid reflux occurs.

Top 4 Reasons for Heartburn

Acid reflux, and the heartburn that accompanies it, is a very uncomfortable condition which tens of millions of people around the world suffer from each day. In this article, you will find out what the top 4 reasons for heartburn are so you can avoid these in the future.

While we know that we get acid reflux when stomach acid leaves the stomach and enters the esophagus, and this occurs when the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (the band of smooth muscle which normally seals the junction between the stomach and esophagus) is not functioning properly.

The real question is – what causes this malfunction in the first place? What are the real underlying reasons for acid reflux?

Reason for Heartburn #1 – Obesity

The primary reason for the number of heartburn and GERD cases exploding in the last 20 years is due to the growth in obesity. Out of all the lifestyle factors linked to heartburn, obesity has by far and away the strongest link between acid reflux and heartburn.

Obesity causes more than just heart problems as it is one of the major heartburn causes. If you are overweight and you are getting acid reflux, that might be your body’s way of telling you it is time to lose weight.

Reason for Heartburn #2 – Diet

I do not think it comes to a surprise to anyone that the foods you eat may be triggering heartburn. However, you may be surprised to know that the perfect acid reflux diet is not just based on eating the “good” foods and avoiding the “bad” foods.

Everyone responds to foods differently, so a list of foods that are “safe” or “bad” will not be applicable across the board. There are huge variations between individual people. Some people get heartburn when eating fatty food while others get heartburn from sugary foods. Some people can handle spicy food and cannot have diary, whereas others are the exact opposite.

Perhaps the biggest way diet leads to acid reflux is in the amount of food you eat. Most people do not respond favorably to being very full. Overeating causes the stomach to expand, which increases the pressure inside of it, which leads to more pressure against the Lower Esophageal Sphincter as food tries to push its way out the top of the stomach and cause acid reflux.

On the plus side, adding in certain nutrients may actually reduce heartburn. Using supplements like fish oil in addition to make sure your salt is iodized may improve acid reflux over time. As mentioned in our article on heartburn every morning, a high protein meal can also help reduce acid reflux.

Reason for Heartburn #3 – Smoking, Alcohol, and Caffeine

These three substances are the vice of many (personally I love coffee – in fact I am drinking a cup as I write this!) but all three of them can lead to heartburn. There are some ways we can manage our vices and still reduce acid reflux.

Having a drink or two with dinner on Friday nights is not likely to give you heartburn that night, let alone all week. Alcohol becomes more of a contributor to acid reflux when drinking is regularly (a few drinks every day), excessive (a 8+ drink binge), or both.

Smoking will likely always be a problem and causes heartburn on two fronts: through nicotine (which is thought to stimulate acid production) and through cigarette smoke, which triggers inflammation.

Understand that nicotine is not a healthy substance and if you are a smoker you should look to quit immediately. However, if you have no intentions of quitting smoking, consider picking up an electronic cigarette. You can get these online and they are fairly inexpensive. While you will still get the side effects of nicotine, the lack of cigarette smoke will cut down on inflammation in the body and may help reduce heartburn related to smoking.

If I drink coffee on an empty stomach, I get acid reflux. However, I cannot give up on coffee so easily. I have found that adding in a positive factor, in this case a protein shake (protein tightens the LES), I can drink coffee with no issues. This may be something you want to try if you are not ready to give up on coffee.

Reason for Heartburn #4 – Medication, Illness, or Injury

While these may not seem related, these are three of the top causes of heartburn that appears “out of the blue”. It is not uncommon for example to get acid reflux as a side effect from medication. Alternatively, some people experience reflux after getting sick, particularly with a stomach virus, food poisoning, or the flu. A third option would be to have some sort of internal injury such as a hiatal hernia, which increases your chance of getting reflux significantly.

If you have no history of heartburn then all of a sudden you start getting very regular heartburn, you need to see a doctor and mention this immediately. Make note of any medications you may have started recently, including over the counter medications and even supplements.

Reasons for Heartburn Conclusion

There are a lot of reasons why people get acid reflux, but this top 4 list covers the usual suspects. You can reduce heartburn significantly just by losing weight (should you be overweight), getting your diet and vices under control, and paying attention to any sudden changes in your health. See a doctor if you get acid reflux two times per week or more.

Acid Reflux and Back Pain – Is Back Pain a Heartburn Symptom?

If you have heartburn and back pain, then you need to read this article, as it just may be the only place online where you will find the answer to the connection between these two problems.

Until today, I had never heard of back pain mentioned as one of the symptoms of heartburn, a reader has brought it to my attention that many sites list back pain as one of the heartburn symptoms.

After thoroughly reviewing the research, right now there is no evidence that suggests that acid reflux can lead to back pain, at least not with any regularity. I suspect someone inaccurately reported this on a personal website or blog, and then others simply accepted it as truth without investigating the claim.

Fortunately, there are three reasons why you might experience both heartburn-like symptoms and back pain at the same time, which may help answer why you are experiencing both acid reflux and back pain.

Possible Scenario #1 – It’s Not Heartburn!

In many cases, what is perceived as acid reflux could be something different altogether. The number one contender which matches up with heartburn-like symptoms and back pain is gallbladder disease, such as gallstones.

Gallstones are infamous for their uncanny ability to refer pain to other parts of the body. One group of researchers reported that 63% of gallstone patients experienced back pain (1). Out of the 220 studied patients, 66% of the patients reported general stomach pain, whereas 3% reported pain behind the sternum (1).

Furthermore, 77% of studied patients said their pain came late in the evening or at night (1). Acid reflux pains also typically occur at night. It is very possible that nighttime sternum or general stomach pain could easily be confused for heartburn.

Given the high correlation of gallbladder disease and back pain, people who are experiencing “acid reflux” and back pain at the same time may be indeed the result of gallbladder disease instead of reflux. If you experience these two symptoms, you should make an appointment with your doctor so that he (or she) can sort things out.

Possible Scenario #2 – Posture-Related Heartburn

Another possible reason that heartburn and back pain may occur together is due to poor posture. One group of researchers found that elderly patients with extreme kyphosis (rounding of the upper spine) were very likely to experience heartburn (2). In the particular study, the researchers were able to use the same medication to treat both back pain and acid reflux, though the medicine seemed to reduce the production of stomach acid as a side effect (2).

However, the correlation between the two suggests that it is possible (but certainly yet to be proven) that abnormal postures might lead to both heartburn and back pain (2). This is most likely to occur in the elderly population or in those with osteoporosis (2).

Possible Scenario #3 – Correlation But Not Causation

The final reason why acid reflux and back pain may be connected is simply due to correlation rather than causation. If you are unfamiliar with this term, if two things are correlated, it means that the two events seem to occur together, but may not directly influence each other. Both events could simply have the same causative factor.

There is one factor that is a strong causative factor for both acid reflux and back pain: obesity. Both adults and children who are obese are much more likely to develop both heartburn and back pain (3, 4).

As a result, people who have both acid reflux and back pain may just be feeling the effects of obesity. Obesity puts undue stress on the back and stomach, which may cause both acid reflux and back pain and causes many more problems than people realize (3).

Note: For those that do not understand correlation versus causation, read this quick analogy. Both drownings and ice cream consumption are correlated – as ice cream consumption increases, so does the number of people who drown. Correlation simply refers to the numbers increase or decrease at the same time.

This is just causation (which means one thing actually causes another thing to happen), as eating ice cream does not lead to people drowning. However, both have the same underlying factor: summer-time and warm weather. Warm weather causes people to both want to eat ice cream and go swimming.

Heartburn and Back Pain – The Bottom Line

Note that some heartburn remedies recommended on this site aid digestion and could even reduce gallbladder symptoms, but will not fix the problem. Additionally, certain foods can trigger gallbladder pain attacks (1).

Because of the high number of similarities between these two conditions, it is not surprising that people may mix up these up or associate acid reflux with back pain.

The bottom line is that acid reflux does not cause back pain. If you are experiencing both heartburn and back pain, see a doctor, as this is not a normal condition and may not be acid reflux at all! Of course, referred pain is within the realm of possibility, but if that is the case it is best to hear that coming from your doctor rather than just assuming it is the case (since it is rare if it occurs at all).

If your doctor tells you really do just have both acid reflux and back pain, consider a weight loss plan (if you are overweight), as well as working your posture, as these two things are likely to help out both your acid reflux and your back pain.

References

1. Berhane T, Vetrhus M, Hausken T, Olafsson S, Søndenaa K. Pain attacks in non-complicated and complicated gallstone disease have a characteristic pattern and are accompanied by dyspepsia in most patients: the results of a prospective study. Scand J Gastroenterol. 2006 Jan;41(1):93-101.

2. Yamane, Y., et al. Elcatonin is effective for lower back pain and the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease in elderly osteoporotic patients with kyphosis. Geriatr Gerontol Int. 2011 Apr;11(2):215-20.

3. Wiklund I. Review of the quality of life and burden of illness in gastroesophageal reflux disease. Dig Dis. 2004;22(2):108-14.

4. Lazorick, S., et al. Prevention and Treatment of Childhood Obesity: Care Received by a State Medicaid Population. Clin Pediatr (Phila). 2011 Apr 27 (Epub ahead of print).