Heartburn and Acid Reflux

You are trying to relax after eating your favorite meal but something is wrong. You have a burning sensation in your stomach and a sour taste in your mouth. Like 15 million Americans your probably experiencing heartburn. Heartburn is a symptom associated with acid reflux disease.

What causes heartburn?
After chewing, food travels down the esophagus toward the stomach. Before entering the stomach, food must pass through a valve called the lower esophageal sphincter. The valve opens to allow food into the stomach. The valve then closes to keep stomach acid in the stomach. Heartburn (acid reflux) occurs when a weakened valve allows stomach acid to back up into the esophagus. The tissues of the esophagus are not meant to handle acidic conditions. The result is the burning sensation felt when stomach acids come into contact with the tissues of the esophagus.

More on heartburn and acid reflux:

• How to manage heartburn
• Symptoms of heartburn