Repeated heartburn is caused by a common physiological dysfunction in the digestive system. It means that acid will frequently rise up into the food pipe, or oesophagus, because the valve (oesophageal sphincter) between the stomach and the food pipe is unable to close properly.

 

• When you eat, tiny pumps in your stomach start to produce digestive acid. Your stomach has a natural protective lining against this highly-erosive digestive acid.

• When food passes through the food pipe into the stomach, the oesophageal sphincter between the food pipe and the stomach opens to allow the food to pass and then closes to prevent gastric acid from flowing back into the food pipe.
 

• When this valve fails to contract properly, gastric acid flows back into the food pipe. This is called acid reflux. Gastric acid is highly erosive and irritates the delicate lining of the food pipe.

• The immediate sensation of acid reflux is heartburn. It causes an uncomfortable burning pain behind the breastbone, usually after a meal.

• For many people heartburn becomes a frequent, painful and debilitating problem, which over time, can severely damage the food pipe and increase the risk of more serious diseases.

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