Heartburn and indigestion are one of today's most common stomach ailments. Some people suffer from it chronically, while others experience heartburn and indigestion only every once in a while. Very often, finding out what causes heartburn and indigestion will help the individual to find the most effective treatment.

But what causes heartburn and indigestion? There are many causes, and generally it all depends on the individual, their diet, and their lifestyle. However, the primary cause to heartburn and indigestion is what is happening with your stomach at the time of the attack. And it is very often the lifestyle and diet choices that the individual makes that causes this chain of event in the stomach to cause these conditions.

These symptoms occurs when reflux is happening in the stomach. The chemicals that are being refluxed, are the stomach acids. When these stomach acids come into contact with the esophagus lining, the feelings of heartburn and indigestion are experienced. The muscle located at the end of the esophagus leading to the stomach is called the lower esophageal sphincter, which is commonly known as the LES. This muscle works to control the opening between the stomach and the esophagus and keep stomach acids where they belong. When this muscle becomes weak, it may not open or close properly, and heartburn and indigestion can be a result of this.

The LES may become weak through a variety of factors. Certain foods and lifestyle choices may all play a role in the weakening of the LES and thus these factors are large contributors. Nicotine may possibly weaken the LES and is said it may be a likely cause of heartburn. Foods that are considered to be fatty or heavily fried also play a large role in heartburn. Consuming foods that contain high fat contents or are fried may also possibly weaken the LES and thus create the symptoms. As is to be expected, the more fatty and fried foods that are consumed, there may be a greater chance heartburn that will be experienced. However, trigger foods for heartburn may differ for each individual.

In the end, determining what causes heartburn and indigestion will be your biggest weapon in treating and preventing it in the future. Keep a close eye on your lifestyle choices and compare these choices to the times when you experience attacks. Discuss this with your health care professional and they shouldeb able to offer good advice on any changes that you are thinking of making.