The Hows Of Heartburn - Los Angeles Times

The hows of heartburn - Los Angeles Times: "Spicy or greasy foods, onions, chocolate -- all can take a painful, post-meal toll in the form of heartburn or acid indigestion. When these problems occur often, as they do for millions of Americans, they become known as gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. Whether the discomfort is occasional or chronic, choosing food and drink more carefully can ease the symptoms. So too, perhaps, can a supplement most commonly associated with sleep. At the root of the problem is a bit of faulty plumbing. When the muscle at the bottom of the esophagus -- the lower esophageal sphincter -- relaxes too much, stomach contents can back up into the esophagus, irritating it and leading not just to heartburn, irritation and acid regurgitation, but also coughing, hoarseness and chest pain"