What Causes Heartburn?
Understanding the Root Issues Behind the Burn
Heartburn is one of the most common digestive complaints, affecting millions of people every year. Characterized by a burning sensation behind the breastbone, it often strikes after meals or while lying down. While occasional heartburn may seem harmless, chronic symptoms can signal deeper issues within the digestive system and lead to more serious health problems.
At Giaquinto Chiropractic & Digestion Center in Naperville, we look beyond the symptoms to uncover and correct the root causes of digestive distress, including heartburn and acid reflux. Let’s explore the primary causes of heartburn and how a functional, holistic approach can help address the root causes rather than simply mask the symptoms.
1. Low Stomach Acid (Hypochlorhydria)
Contrary to popular belief, most people suffering from heartburn don’t have too much stomach acid—they often have too little. Stomach acid (hydrochloric acid) is essential for activating enzymes in the stomach for the purpose of breaking down food and triggering the valve between the esophagus and stomach (the lower esophageal sphincter, or LES) to close tightly. When acid levels are too low, digestion slows and food sits in the stomach longer than it should, fermenting and creating gas. This pressure can force the LES to open, allowing acid to reflux into the esophagus, causing a burning sensation.
2. Weak or Dysfunctional Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES)
The LES acts like a one-way valve that lets food into the stomach while preventing acid from coming back up into the esophagus. If this valve becomes weak or doesn’t close properly, stomach acid can escape into the esophagus. Common contributors to LES dysfunction include weak digestion, overeating, lying down after meals, and certain medications or foods (like caffeine, chocolate, alcohol, and spicy dishes).
3. Hiatal Hernia
A hiatal hernia occurs when part of the stomach pushes up through the diaphragm into the chest cavity. This structural issue can compromise the LES and allow acid to reflux more easily. People with hiatal hernias often experience food feeling stuck behind their sternum. Hiatal hernias are common and can be triggered by chronic coughing, straining during bowel movements, heavy lifting, or trauma.
4. Poor Eating Habits
What you eat—and how you eat—plays a big role in heartburn. Eating too quickly and not chewing your food thoroughly (taking a bite of food, chewing it 3 times and swallowing the food whole), overeating, or consuming processed, acidic, or fatty foods can stress your digestive system. Carbonated drinks and eating too close to bedtime can also trigger reflux by increasing intra-abdominal pressure and compromising digestion.
5. Lifestyle Factors
Lifestyle factors play a significant role in the development of heartburn. Obesity is a major risk factor, as excess weight puts pressure on the abdomen, forcing stomach acid upwards. Smoking is another detrimental habit; nicotine can relax the LES and increase acid secretion. Drinking too much alcoholic beverages can also relax the LES and stimulate acid production, contributing to heartburn.
6. Stress and the Gut-Brain Connection
Stress doesn’t just affect your mind—it affects your entire digestive system. Chronic stress can lead to sympathetic dominance, decreased vagal tone to the gut, reduce stomach acid production, impair digestion, and weaken the mucosal lining that protects your esophagus. This creates a perfect storm for heartburn. The gut and brain are closely connected via the vagus nerve, meaning emotional stress can quickly translate to gut related physical symptoms.
7. Spinal Subluxations and Nerve Interference
Few people realize that spinal health can directly affect digestion. Nerves that regulate the stomach, esophagus, and diaphragm exit the spine through the thoracic region (mid-back). If there are subluxations—misalignments in the spine that cause nerve interference—these nerves may not function optimally, disrupting digestion, weakening the LES, or reducing stomach acid production. Chiropractic care helps restore proper nerve flow, supporting normal digestive function and reducing the frequency of heartburn.
In conclusion, heartburn is a multifaceted condition with a variety of contributing factors. Dietary choices, lifestyle habits and an out of balanced nervous system leading to compromised digestion are at the forefront of the cause of heartburn.
For more information, check out Dr. Keith’s lectures on Digestion:
Natural Heartburn Relief in Naperville
If you're tired of relying on antacids or prescriptions that only cover up the symptoms, it's time for a new approach. At Giaquinto Chiropractic & Digestion Center, we specialize in identifying the root causes of heartburn, reflux, and other digestive disorders.