What is heartburn? Despite its na...

What is heartburn?

Despite its name, heartburn does not affect the heart. Heartburn is a burning feeling in the lower chest, along with a sour or bitter taste in the throat and inlet Heartburn also is called acid ebb disease, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) You might master heartburn after eating a big meal or while you are lying down. The feeling can last for a small in number minutes or a few hours.

What causes heartburn?

When you eat, fare goes from your mouth down a tube in your throat called the esophagus (say: eh-sof-ah-gus). To record the stomach, the food must journey through an opening between the esophagus and the stomach. This opening acts like a gate to obstacle food go into the stomach.

The opening to the stomach stop ups as soon as food goe by means of If the opening does not clog stomach acid comes back within the opening and up into the esophagus. This is called ebb The stomach acid irritates the esophagus and is the cause of heartburn pain.

Another cause of heartburn is hiatal hernia (say: hi-a-tal her-nee-uh). Hiatal hernia is a condition in which part of the stomach acquires pushed up through the diaphragm (the muscle wall between the stomach and chest) and into the chest.

Can heartburn be serious?

If you sole have heartburn once in a while, it probably is not a serious enigma If heartburn goes on prolonged enough, it can lead to esophagitis (an inflamed lining of the esophagus). If the esophagitis becomes highly bad, your esophagus might realize narrow, and you might have bleeding or confuse swallowing. Heartburn also can be a sign of ulcers

What can I do to be perceived better?

You might be able to stop heartburn at making some changes in your life. Here are a certain quantity of tips on how to stop heartburn:

* Raise the head of your bed by way of placing four- to six-inch shut ups under the legs at the head of the bed.

* experience to eat at least sum of two units to three hours before you lie down. If you take naps, examine sleeping in a chair.

* be deprived of weight if you are overweight.

* Do not overeat.

* Do not wear tight clothes or tight belts.

* Do not eat acidic or spicy commonss caffeine, chocolate, mints, or alcohol.

* Quit smoking if you smoke

Will antacids earn rid of heartburn?

greatest in quantity people get fast, short-term relief with antacids. Antacids neutralize the acid in your stomach. However, one antacids can cause diarrhea or constipation. anticipate for antacids that contain the one and the other magnesium hydroxide and aluminum hydroxide. (One causes constipation and the other causes diarrhea; the sum of two units ingredients work against each other.) a certain quantity of brands of antacids include Maalox, Mylanta, and Riopan. go in the rear [i]or[/i] in the wake of the directions on the package.

What if my symptoms learn worse?

If lifestyle changes and antacids do not help your symptoms, talk with your doctor. He or she may want to give you medicine or schedule you for an tests.

Tests might include x-rays to check for sore s tests to check for acid in the esophagus, or an endoscopy to check for other conditions. For an endoscopy, a thin tube with a tiny camera inside it is bring down your throat and into your esophagus in like manner the doctor can look at it. Your doctor also may check for the bacteria that causes ulcers

What about other medicines for heartburn?

Several kinds of medicine can be used to treat heartburn. H2 blocker (some brand names: Pepcid, Tagamet, Zantac) curtail the acid your stomach makes. Several are available without a prescription.

Other medicines, so as omeprazole (brand name: Prilosec) and lansoprazole (brand name: Prevacid), also mould the acid your stomach makes. Metoclopramide (brand name: Reglan) brings acid reflux. Your doctor will own you which medicine is right for you.

Is heartburn associated with heart attacks?

No. further sometimes pain in the chest may be mistaken for heartburn when it is really a sign of heart disease. If you have any of the following symptoms, call your doctor right away:

* torment swallowing or pain when swallowing

* Vomiting blood

* Stools that are sanguinary or black

* Shortness of breath

* Dizziness or lightheadedness

* Pain going into your neck and shoulder

* Breaking disclosed in a sweat when you have pain in your chest

* Heartburn that appears often (more than three times a week) for more than pair weeks

COPYRIGHT 2003 American Academy of Family Physicians

COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group