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Heartburn information is readily available from your physician. Heartburn information is readily available in books and on the Internet. Heartburn information, right and wrong, is available from family and friends.

Heartburn information tells why it happens, if it is accurate heartburn information. It explains the root cause of heartburn, and helps you understand that the burning pain is only a symptom of heartburn, not the cause. Heartburn information tells you how to treat not only the symptoms, but also the cause.

When heartburn information says why it happens, it should go on to answer this question: Will losing several pounds of weight from my waistline lower heartburn risks?

That is not the only question it should answer, but it is an important one, especially in our modern society. Daily warnings are being sounded about the growing problem of obesity, and when heartburn information says why it happens, it should include the matter of excess body fat.

Heartburn Information ' Root Cause

A muscular problem is at the root of all heartburn. The muscle involved is, in shorthand, the LES. The LES (lower esophageal sphincter) is a ring of muscular tissue between the stomach and the esophagus. A healthy, strong, LES relaxes to allow swallowed food to enter the stomach. It then squeezes tight to keep that food and stomach acids where they belong.

The LES can be compared to fingers pinching shut the connection between a straw and a balloon full of water. If the fingers relax, water can slosh back up into the straw. If the LES relaxes at the wrong time, acid can slosh (reflux) back into the esophagus, causing a burning sensation.

Heartburn and Obesity

The link between heartburn and obesity has long been established, but more recent research is beginning to explain that link.

Pressure within the stomach can force open the LES in much the same way you could squeeze that full balloon, and force back the fingers holding its top. The more pressure on the balloon, the more likelihood that water will be forced out of the balloon. The more pressure on the stomach, the greater the likelihood that the LES will open and acid will flow back into the esophagus.

A recent study measured pressure within the stomach to see how it was affected by excess body weight (obesity). The study found, essentially, that each increase of 10 to 20 pounds of weight was linked to a 10 percent increase in stomach pressure. In other words, a person who gained 10 to 20 pounds was putting about 10 percent more pressure on his or her stomach. This, in turn, increased the pressure on the LES ring of muscle.

In 2006, an analysis was made of 20 studies on this subject. Those studies were extensive, including more than 18,000 patients. The analysis, in the U.S., showed that being overweight increased by more than 50 percent a person's odds of developing GERD ' a serious disease resulting from chronic heartburn.

Obesity with heartburn more than doubled the odds of developing GERD.

When heartburn information tells why it happens, it must include this vital fact. Heartburn is greatly aggravated by excess body weight. i.e., obesity.

Lose Both Weight and Heartburn

In light of the studies mentioned, it is only common sense to conclude that many who lose weight will also lose heartburn. If the reverse of the above cited weight-gain-to-pressure ratio is true, then a loss of 10 to 20 pounds of weight would reduce pressure on the stomach by about 10 percent.

Heartburn relief for many can be as simple as reaching and maintaining a healthy weight. This is the treatment for many diseases, and it requires no medication, but somehow, we are reluctant to discipline ourselves to accomplish it.

CAUTION: The author is not a professional physician, and offers this information for educational purposes only. If you have heartburn regularly, please seek advice from your health care provider.