Why Does My Esophagus Burn When I Eat Food?

Apr 23, 2011 | By Janelle Commins

Acid reflux is a health condition that can cause a burning sensation in your esophagus often called heartburn. The burning comes from gastric acids in your stomach that are coming back up into your esophagus. Normally, gastric acid should be contained inside the stomach and not leak into your esophagus, but indigestion or conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can cause this discomfort.

What is Acid Reflux?

Normally, foods and beverages pass down through your esophagus into your stomach. You have a ring of muscles at the lower end of your esophagus called the lower esophageal sphincter that acts as "traffic control" to let food pass into your stomach and prevent it from leaking back upward into your esophagus. Sometimes the sphincter does not work properly, and food as well as gastric acid is able to leak upward into the esophagus.

Why Do People Get Acid Reflux?

Occasional reflux of gastric contents is not uncommon; about 7 percent of the U.S. population experiences daily heartburn resulting from reflux of stomach contents and many people occasionally have heartburn. Chronic heartburn can be caused by reduced sphincter pressure, increased abdominal pressure, delayed gastric emptying, a stomach hernia or recurrent vomiting.

How to Manage Acid Reflux

You can change the way you eat or what you eat to help manage your heartburn. Avoid lying down after meals and eating within three hours of sleeping. Avoid wearing tight-fitting garments. Avoid cigarette smoking, which can reduce sphincter pressure. You can also take over-the-counter medications; talk to your physician about which medications may be right for you.

Foods To Avoid

Certain foods can trigger reflux or cause increased secretion of gastric acid. To prevent esophageal reflux, avoid excessive amounts of dietary fat and alcohol. To decrease the acidity of gastric acid, avoid coffee and alcoholic beverages. To prevent pain and irritation, avoid acidic foods like lemon, vinegar and spices.