Sometimes, after you have had a large meal, you experience a burning pain within your chest. This pain can be felt just behind or below your breastbone. What you are experiencing is heartburn. Heartburn is not a condition regarding your heart. Rather it is a digestive disorder. Heartburn occurs particularly when stomach acids flow upwards into the esophagus, and this type of heartburn is also called gastric reflux.
Gastric reflux is due to the back flow or reflux of food juices and stomach acids passing into the esophagus, the tube within our body that connects our throats to the stomach. The oesophagus is separated from the stomach by a valve which is called the lower oesophageal sphincter. Generally the lower esophageal sphincter remains tightly closed after we have eaten, but for a few people the valve becomes weak or it malfunctions.
Thus when the lower esophageal sphincter or LES does not work properly then the digested food acids are able to reflux into the esophagus. These stomach acids are very corrosive and the esophagus is unable to deal with their effects on its' delicate lining. The corrosive acids of the stomach can easily irritate and inflame the sensitive walls of the esophagus. This inflammation is then called gastric reflux.
Gastric reflux can be a result of our lifestyles as well as how we eat. Sometimes eating large amounts of food especially in the night can trigger a Gastric reflux heartburn attack. Being overweight, bending at the waist, lifting heavy objects, being in stressful situations as well as being pregnant can all induce gastric reflux.
Then there are the different types of food that we love to eat, they might have substances in them that can cause the acid levels in our stomach to increase. These foods include oranges, tomatoes and colas. Also drinking beverages like coffee, tea, alcohol and fortified wines and spirits can relax the LES valve and cause the stomach acids to rise and reflux into the esophagus.
Many of us experience gastric reflux without our even realizing it. Usually gastric reflux can be reduced by swallowing your saliva repeatedly.
Gastric reflux if it is not checked and treated can develop into a more severe form. Chronic gastric reflux can have complications leading to the inflammation of the esophagus. There could also be an increased risk of esophageal cancer, anaemia and also esophageal ulcers
As with all heartburn ailments you should consult with your doctor and allow him / her to treat your gastric reflux. You can ask what over the counter drugs will work for your gastric reflux or if you will need prescription strength medication. Your doctor will be able to advise you further on what you should do at home to correct this condition.
Should your gastric reflux be of a more serious condition, then your doctor will be able to let you know what are the medical therapies and medical treatments that are available to help you. Catching and treating the symptoms of gastric reflux early on, can avoid it becoming GERD so don't delay, see your doctor as soon as possible to help you to overcome this painful condition and prevent it from becoming any worse.