If you get heartburn every day and don't know why, keep reading to find what the possible causes may be.
What is heartburn?
Referred to as pyrosis in medical jargon, heartburn feels like a tightness or burning sensation in the lower and upper chest. The sensation can make its way upwards and eventually result in acid in the throat; this is called gastro esophageal reflux. The main culprit is a surplus of acid in the stomach.
Heartburn causes
Your eating habits
If you notice you're getting heartburn every day, the first thing to investigate are your eating habits. Heartburn can be caused by the ingestion of fatty and spicy foods, or acidic food and drinks, such as alcohol, coffee, tea, and carbonated drinks. Eating too fast, overeating, and having excess body fat also increase the risk of heartburn.
Your stress level
Are you stressed a little, a lot, or ridiculously so? Then you don’t need to keep asking yourself why you get heartburn every day. Slow down a little, and learn some deep breathing and relaxation techniques; relaxing can help you keep away the fire that sometimes smolders in your gut.
Your medications
Heartburn is often found on the list of side effects of many medications, especially anti-inflammatories. Your pharmacist can help you avoid these side effects.
Heartburn relief
Between now and the moment your doctor tells you why you get heartburn every day, you may just need a little help. There are several over-the-counter medications that are designed to extinguish the fire that rages in your stomach.
When to consult a doctor
Despite your new eating habits, your improved stress management, and your pharmacist’s advice, are you still asking yourself why you get heartburn every day? Make an appointment with your doctor. In fact, your heartburn may only be symptomatic of a more serious problem.
Consult a doctor about your heartburn in any of the following situations:
- your heartburn lasts more than two weeks
- you’ve had a stomach ulcer or there is a history of stomach ulcers in your family
- you’re older than 60
- you’ve had blood in your stool
- you have heart, lung, liver, or kidney problems
- you suffer from a chronic disease
- you feel pain in one of your arms, in your neck, or the shoulder
Your doctor will run some tests in view of solving these painful symptoms to help you treat the problem.
