|
|
 |
Heartburn
|
 |
Nearly everyone has occasional bouts of heartburn, that burning sensation in your
chest or throat, but if you experience it often, a couple times a week or more,
it may be a symptom of a serious condition. Heartburn often happens after overeating,
when bending over, or when lying down.
What causes heartburn?
Should I seek medical care for my heartburn?
What exams and tests are done to treat heartburn?
How is heartburn treated?
What serious diseases or conditions can cause heartburn?
How can I treat heartburn at home?
What medications are available to treat heartburn?
|
|
What Causes Heartburn?
Heartburn happens when the acid in your stomach backs up into your esophagus,
the muscular tube that runs from your mouth to your stomach. At the entrance
to the stomach is a tight muscle that acts like a one-way gate when food is
swallowed, but sometimes this gate lets stomach acid pass, back up. This is
called reflux, and the stomach acids can irritate the esophagus and give you
heartburn and a bitter or sour taste in the mouth.
back to the top |
Should I Seek Medical Care for My Heartburn?
Your stomach has a special layer of mucous that protects it from the harsh
acids it contains. The rest of your body does not, and if heartburn is frequent
or chronic, the tissues of your esophagus can be damaged. Medical care is especially
urgent if you are throwing up blood or you have bloody bowel movements. If your
heartburn causes severe pain, dizziness, or you are passing out, if you have
difficulties swallowing or have dehydration or sudden and unintentional weight
loss, contact your gastroenterologist, Dr. Shamsi, immediately. These can all
be symptoms of serious conditions that require prompt medical care.
back to the top
What Exams and Tests are Done to Treat Heartburn?
You already know if you're suffering from heartburn, so there's usually no need
for any test to determine that. Most often you will be advised to make some changes
in your diet, to modify your lifestyle, or sample some over-the-counter medications
to see if any of those can eliminate the problem. If those don't offer relief,
an upper GI endoscopy may be indicated, which lets Dr. Shamsi examine your esophagus,
stomach, and even the top of your lower intestine. In addition, you may undergo
an upper GI series in which you drink a liquid that can be seen by X-rays. The
muscle between the esophagus and stomach can also be tested to see how strong
it is, or a capsule the size of a small bean that can measure the amount of acid
in your system may be introduced. This device will transmit its readings to a
beeper sized receiver you wear on your belt before it passes harmlessly from your
system in 48 hours or so and the data on the receiver is studied.
How is Heartburn Treated?
Heartburn can often be relieved through medications such as antacids and acid
blockers as well as changes in diet or lifestyle, although surgery is occasionally
necessary.
back to the top
What Serious Diseases or Conditions Can Cause Heartburn?
If heartburn is continuous, it may be a symptom of a more serious disease such
as gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD. Some stomach hernias can also create
heartburn, as can gastritis, and other diseases and conditions. Peptic ulcers,
or those caused by the H. pylori bacteria, often produce heartburn as a symptom.
To properly diagnose and treat any of these conditions, an examination by your
gastroenterologist, Dr. Shamsi, is necessary.
back to the top
How Can I Treat Heartburn at Home?
Mild cases of heartburn, or occasional ones, can often be relieved by such simple
means as avoiding large meals, caffeine, and fatty or fried foods that lower pressure
on the muscle between the stomach and esophagus. To avoid damaging that muscle,
spicy foods, citrus fruits, and tomato products should be avoided. Any tight clothing,
or activities such as lifting or straining, especially after eating, may help
prevent heartburn.
A high-protein, low-fat diet often helps, and if you are overweight, losing some
of that extra weight can help, as can quitting smoking and limiting your use of
alcohol. Try not to lie down for three hours after eating, or even use blocks
or wedges to raise the head of your bed a few inches.
Antacids can reduce the amount of acid your stomach makes and they can produce
fast, temporary relief from heartburn. Unfortunately, depending on their makeup,
they can also cause diarrhea or constipation, which can worsen whatever is causing
your heartburn. It is better to choose an antacid that contains both magnesium
hydroxide and aluminum hydroxide instead of one or the other. Those containing
calcium carbonate neutralize stomach acid better than most.
back to the top
What Medications are Available to Treat Heartburn?
If antacids and changes to your lifestyle are unsuccessful in treating your heartburn,
and it is not a symptom of another, treatable disease or condition, Dr. Shamsi
may prescribe other, more powerful medications. Some of these, the histamine-2
blockers, decrease the amount of acid your stomach makes. Others empty the stomach
of food and acid more quickly so less can back up into the esophagus, and others
prevent the stomach from secreting very much acid at all.
back to the top
|
|
|
|
|