Heartburn, also called pyrosis, is a condition wherein there is a painful or burning sensation in the esophagus, just below the breastbone because of gastric acid regurgitation. The pain is described to rise to the chest and may even radiate to the neck, throat, or angle of the jaw. The pain worsens when you bend over, lie down, or eat. It may also be more frequent or worse in the evenings.
A common misconception is that heartburn affects the heart. The truth of the matter is, this medical condition is not, in any way, related to the heart. One reason why it was called heartburn is because the pain is usually felt on the breastbone where the heart is situated. Another reason is because the hydrochloric acid from the stomach goes back up to the esophagus because of a problem with the cardiac sphincter, a valve in the stomach, which does not have anything to do with the heart.
What causes heartburn?
To understand what causes heartburn, one must understand how the upper digestive tract works. When you swallow, the cardiac sphincter relaxes to let foods and liquids into the stomach. Then it closes again to prevent food from coming back up. If the cardiac valve weakens of relaxes abnormally, gastric acid may flow back up to the esophagus, causing a burning sensation, or heartburn.
Here are factors that may trigger or make heartburn worse:
o Food. (fatty foods, spicy foods, chocolate, caffeine, onions, tomato sauce, carbonated drinks, and mint.)
o Alcoholic beverages.
o Large meals.
o Lying down too soon after eating.
o Medications. (certain sedatives, antidepressants and calcium channel blockers for high blood pressure)
o Cigarette smoking.
o Stress and fatigue.
o Medical condition. (hiatal hernia)
What medical complications may arise from leaving heartburn untreated?
Most heartburn attacks are occasional. However, if your heartburn becomes severe or chronic, your body may already be telling you that you have gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD). People might mistake it as just a prolonged case of acid reflux. Although heartburn is a symptom for GERD, in this case stomach acid, and occasionally bile flows back into the esophagus, causing inflammation and irritation of the esophagus. Continued irritation may cause narrowing of the esophagus, ulceration of the esophagus, and a slightly increased risk of developing esophageal cancer.
How is heartburn treated?
Treatment for mild heartburn is more concentrated on providing relief from the symptom. The use of the following medications is advised:
o Antacids. These medications neutralize digestive acid and provide quick relief for the burning pain.
o H2 receptor blockers. These medications reduce acid production instead of neutralizing the gastric juices.
o Proton pump inhibitors. These medications block acid production to allow enough time for esophageal tissue healing.
For cases of persistent and prolonged heartburn that may have already developed into GERD, prescription-strength medications are required as medical treatment, and for severe cases of GERD, surgery.
Preventive tips
A simple lifestyle change may help prevent experiencing the pains of heartburn over and over. Here are some quick tips to reduce the risk of experiencing heartburn.
o Watch your weight. Excess pounds mean added pressure to the abdomen, pushing up the stomach and causing acid reflux back up to the esophagus.
o Eat smaller meals. Meals in smaller portions reduce pressure on the cardiac sphincter, and it helps prevent the valve from opening and acid from going back into the esophagus.
o Eliminate triggers. Take note of the food that trigger your heartburn and try to stay away from them.
o Avoid lying down immediately after a meal. Leave a window of two to three hours after eating before going to bed.
o Avoid smoking. Ingesting air during smoking aggravates belching and, in turn, acid reflux.
Heartburn isn’t as simple as it sounds, so don’t take it lightly. Your pain tolerance may tell you it’s nothing but a bad base of belching, but it may lead to further medical complications if you leave it unchecked. You are in-charge of your own body, so keep close watch and maintain a healthy lifes.
High Blood PressureTag Archives
Dealing with and Preventing Heartburn
Food Avoid Acid Reflux – Gerd Pravachol – Symptoms Female Heartburn
Food Avoid Acid Reflux
Heartburn medications are readily available for the most common causes of heartburn like over eating and too much acid in the diet Many people are ever grateful for the comfort that antacids provide and are satisfied that everything is under control. And yet this temporary relief is not a heartburn cure. This should give cause to consider since there are alternatives to be found in natural heartburn remedies. Unfortunately you won’t find many medical professionals that prescribe these because they were never learned in med school.
Jeff Martin – certified nutritionist and former heartburn sufferer teaches you his acid reflux freedom step by step success system jam-packed with a valuable information on how to naturally and permanently eliminate your heartburn from the ROOT and achieve LASTING freedom from digestive disorders.
Click Here Now To Learn How To End Heartburn For Good >>
If you are a heartburn sufferer then you may ask yourself this question on a daily basis. We know that the uncomfortable feeling caused by heartburn can really wear on you and even cause some serious stomach problems if this is not cared for properly. Don’t let yourself go on suffering read the rest of this article and get to the bottom of it right now!
Acid reflux is a serious medical condition which if left untreated can lead to esophageal cancer. It can be treated with anti acids and diets or with natural cure for acid reflux. Natural remedies usually consists of several different methods like combination of proper diet and herbal products.
This holiday season people tend to eat more indiscriminately and after this time a great number of cardiac arrest high blood pressure victims heart attack and different kinds of attacks will be on the news. Here are some ways to prevent heartburn.
If you suffer from acid reflux or heartburn you may be interested to know that an all natural acid reflux home remedy is what is in the ‘Reflux Remedy Report.’ If you feel like you have heartburn more than twice a week or if your heartburn gets worse if you lie down or bend over its possible that you do suffer from acid reflux disease. You may also be spending a ton of money on either over the counter or prescription medications in an effort to get rid of your pain. You probably know that all these medications taken on a daily basis can’t be very good for you but maybe you aren’t quite sure what you can do to cure your problem.
Our stomach contains natural acids. This acid is required for breaking down food substances which sorts them to the right places. While we are eating the presence of proper stomach acid is required for proper digestion of the food.
You don’t have to spend so much for your acid reflux treatment. There are so many natural treatments that are available even in your home that are recommended by most experts. You can use these remedies to provide you some quick relief on your acid reflux problem.