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Understanding Heartburn: Symptoms, Causes, Prevention, and Treatment
Heartburn is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is characterized by a burning sensation in the chest, often accompanied by a sour taste in the mouth. This discomfort can range from mild to severe, impacting daily life and overall well-being.
What is Heartburn?
Heartburn is a burning sensation in the chest that can transmit to the throat and neck. It can indicate various health conditions, including
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Acid reflux, or
- Pregnancy.
Heartburn feels like an intense burning behind your breastbone, right in the centre of your chest. It can last from a few minutes to a few hours.
If you have heartburn, you're not alone. Lots of people also taste something bitter or sour in their throat, especially after eating or lying down too soon.
What causes heartburn?
The following are some of the causes of heartburn:
- Heartburn develops when stomach acid moves up into the oesophagus, the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach.
- Swallowing relaxes muscles around the lower oesophagal sphincter, letting food pass into the stomach.
- If the lower oesophagal sphincter weakens or relaxes too much, stomach acid can flow back up (acid reflux) and cause heartburn.
- Acid reflux can worsen when bending over or lying down.
What are the symptoms of heartburn?
Here are some signs and symptoms of heartburn:
- Nausea
- A burning feeling or a feeling of warmth
- Chest pain that gets worse while bending over or lying down
- Sour taste in the mouth
Additional unusual symptoms of acid reflux may involve:
- Chest pain similar to angina (noncardiac chest pain)
- Chronic cough
- Sore throat
- Stomach bloating and overfullness
- Laryngitis
- Difficulty swallowing or feeling like there’s a lump in your throat
- Hiccups
- Worsening asthma
How can I prevent heartburn?
Dietary and lifestyle changes can often help avoid and manage heartburn. These changes include:
- Avoid going to bed with a full stomach: Take at least three to four hours before going to bed, which allows the stomach to empty and reduces the possibility of overnight heartburn.
- Avoiding overeating: Reducing the size of meal portions can help reduce the risk of heartburn. You can replace four or five small meals with three larger ones. Additionally, eating slowly can prevent heartburn.
- Wearing loose-fitting clothes: Tight clothes can sometimes cause heartburn. Wearing loose-fitting clothes could prevent it
- Avoiding certain foods: Many people are known to experience heartburn when eating certain foods, such as fried or spicy foods. The doctor may also advise you to avoid alcohol.
- Maintaining a healthy weight: Weight loss can help to relieve heartburn.
- Not smoking: Nicotine might weaken the lower oesophagal sphincter (the valve that separates the stomach and oesophagus). Quitting smoking can improve the strength of this valve and overall health.
- Sleeping on your left side: This might speed up the removal of acid from the stomach and oesophagus and aid digestion.
- Planning your exercise to avoid heartburn: After eating, you should wait at least two hours before exercising. You risk causing heartburn if you exercise sooner. Additionally, you should drink water before and during exercise to avoid dehydration.
What is the treatment for heartburn?
The treatment for heartburn typically involves:
- Medicines for infections, like antibiotics or antivirals.
- Creams or sarilumab for reducing inflammation.
- Therapies and mild medicines for easing functional heartburn.
- Surgery to fix a hernia causing heartburn.
If medication doesn't work for your GERD, or if you prefer not to rely on long-term medication, your healthcare provider may recommend a procedure like:
- Nissen fundoplication: A minor surgical procedure that tightens the junction between the stomach and esophagus, effectively treating GERD.
- Transoral incisionless fundoplication: Similar to Nissen fundoplication but performed nonsurgically through an endoscope.
Conclusion
Heartburn is a common condition caused by stomach acid refluxing into the esophagus, leading to discomfort and burning sensations. By understanding its symptoms, causes, and preventive measures, individuals can effectively manage heartburn and improve their quality of life.
Consulting with a healthcare professional is recommended for persistent or severe cases of heartburn to determine the best treatment plan.
Ready to take control of your health journey? Book your appointment now and start your path towards wellness today!
Book an AppointmentFrequently Asked Questions
Antacids like Tums or Maalox offer quick relief from heartburn. They work fast, provide short-term relief, and are an excellent first choice for occasional heartburn.
Drinking water can help with heartburn by diluting stomach acid. This reduces the burning feeling in your chest and helps push stomach acid back down where it belongs.
Milk can sometimes help with heartburn, but it varies. Skimmed milk, which has less fat, protein, and calcium, might ease symptoms. However, full-fat milk could make heartburn worse. You should try low-fat or skim milk, or even a milk substitute, to see what works best for you.
Sudden heartburn can be triggered by various factors such as spicy or fatty foods, stress, large meals, or certain medications. Making dietary adjustments, managing stress, and avoiding known triggers can help prevent sudden episodes of heartburn
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