| Heartburn information is readily available from your | | | | The more pressure on the balloon, the more likelihood |
| physician. Heartburn information is readily available in | | | | that water will be forced out of the balloon. The |
| books and on the Internet. Heartburn information, | | | | more pressure on the stomach, the greater the |
| right and wrong, is available from family and friends. | | | | likelihood that the LES will open and acid will flow |
| Heartburn information tells why it happens, if it is | | | | back into the esophagus. |
| accurate heartburn information. It explains the root | | | | A recent study measured pressure within the |
| cause of heartburn, and helps you understand that | | | | stomach to see how it was affected by excess |
| the burning pain is only a symptom of heartburn, not | | | | body weight (obesity). The study found, essentially, |
| the cause. Heartburn information tells you how to | | | | that each increase of 10 to 20 pounds of weight was |
| treat not only the symptoms, but also the cause. | | | | linked to a 10 percent increase in stomach pressure. |
| When heartburn information says why it happens, it | | | | In other words, a person who gained 10 to 20 |
| should go on to answer this question: Will losing | | | | pounds was putting about 10 percent more pressure |
| several pounds of weight from my waistline lower | | | | on his or her stomach. This, in turn, increased the |
| heartburn risks? | | | | pressure on the LES ring of muscle. |
| That is not the only question it should answer, but it | | | | In 2006, an analysis was made of 20 studies on this |
| is an important one, especially in our modern society. | | | | subject. Those studies were extensive, including |
| Daily warnings are being sounded about the growing | | | | more than 18,000 patients. The analysis, in the U.S., |
| problem of obesity, and when heartburn information | | | | showed that being overweight increased by more |
| says why it happens, it should include the matter of | | | | than 50 percent a person's odds of developing GERD |
| excess body fat. | | | | - a serious disease resulting from chronic heartburn. |
| Heartburn Information - Root Cause | | | | Obesity with heartburn more than doubled the odds |
| A muscular problem is at the root of all heartburn. | | | | of developing GERD. |
| The muscle involved is, in shorthand, the LES. The | | | | When heartburn information tells why it happens, it |
| LES (lower esophageal sphincter) is a ring of muscular | | | | must include this vital fact. Heartburn is greatly |
| tissue between the stomach and the esophagus. A | | | | aggravated by excess body weight. i.e., obesity. |
| healthy, strong, LES relaxes to allow swallowed food | | | | Lose Both Weight and Heartburn |
| to enter the stomach. It then squeezes tight to keep | | | | In light of the studies mentioned, it is only common |
| that food and stomach acids where they belong. | | | | sense to conclude that many who lose weight will |
| The LES can be compared to fingers pinching shut | | | | also lose heartburn. If the reverse of the above cited |
| the connection between a straw and a balloon full of | | | | weight-gain-to-pressure ratio is true, then a loss of 10 |
| water. If the fingers relax, water can slosh back up | | | | to 20 pounds of weight would reduce pressure on |
| into the straw. If the LES relaxes at the wrong time, | | | | the stomach by about 10 percent. |
| acid can slosh (reflux) back into the esophagus, | | | | Heartburn relief for many can be as simple as |
| causing a burning sensation. | | | | reaching and maintaining a healthy weight. This is the |
| Heartburn and Obesity | | | | treatment for many diseases, and it requires no |
| The link between heartburn and obesity has long | | | | medication, but somehow, we are reluctant to |
| been established, but more recent research is | | | | discipline ourselves to accomplish it. |
| beginning to explain that link. | | | | CAUTION: The author is not a professional physician, |
| Pressure within the stomach can force open the LES | | | | and offers this information for educational purposes |
| in much the same way you could squeeze that full | | | | only. If you have heartburn regularly, please seek |
| balloon, and force back the fingers holding its top. | | | | advice from your health care provider. |