Juliet Cohen asked:


Heartburn or pyrosis is a painful or burning sensation in the esophagus. Heartburn is a form of indigestion. Heartburn is a burning feeling in the lower chest, along with a sour or bitter taste in the throat and mouth. It usually occurs after eating a big meal or while lying down. Heartburn is also identified as one of the causes of chronic cough, and may even mimic asthma. Heartburn is linked to eating habits and posture. It happens when acid from your stomach gets forced upwards into the oesophagus ,This is called acid reflux. About 30% of adults experience occasional heartburn, while 10% experience heartburn every day.

About 25% of pregnant women have heartburn or related symptoms. Heartburn is an irritation of the esophagus caused by acid that refluxes from the stomach. Some other factors that can make heartburn worse include certain foods, such as fatty foods, spicy foods, chocolate, caffeine, onions, tomato sauce, carbonated beverages and mint, alcohol ,large meals ,lying down too soon after eating and certain medications, including sedatives, antidepressants and calcium channel blockers for high blood pressure. Cigarette smoking is main cause of heartburn.The primary symptom of heartburn is a burning pain in your chest, under your breastbone.

This pain may decay when you bend over, lie down or eat. It may also be more frequent or worse at night. Most people can control the irritation of heartburn with lifestyle modifications and over-the-counter medications. Several kinds of medicine can be used to treat heartburn. H2 blockers (Pepcid, Tagamet, Zantac) reduce the amount of acid your stomach makes. Other medicines, such as omeprazole (Prilosec) and lansoprazole (Prevacid), also reduce how much acid the stomach makes. Metoclopramide (Reglan) reduces acid reflux. If the heartburn continues, you may need prescription surgery.

Heartburn Treatment and Prevention Tips

1. Smoking may increase stomach acid.

2. Antispasmodic drugs and motility stimulants may be prescribed.

3. Alginates are useful when there is reflux of stomach acid.

4. Eat smaller meals reduces pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter.

5. Acid suppressants, such as histamine H2-antagonists also helpful.

6. Antacids, such as maalox, rolaids and Tums, neutralize stomach acid and can provide quick relief.



Beverly

Dean Caporella asked:


Most people will suffer heartburn symptoms at some stage in their lives. Heartburn is an uncomfortable experience and for some, it can be chronic.

Recognizing heartburn symptoms is a bit like “closing the gate after the horse has bolted.” A burning sensation or heat rising up from the abdomen in waves into a persons throat will signal a heartburn attack. A sour taste in the mouth follows and then a period of discomfort.

Heartburn symptom will usually occur about 30 minutes after a meal and the worse thing a sufferer can do is to lie down. Standing upright or taking antacids can often provide relief. Heartburn symptom can vary from mild to chronic. Mild symptom can be easily treated at home however, if symptoms persist then it’s wise to seek a medical opinion.

So what can you do to prevent heartburn? Commonsense says some lifestyle change may be required. Recognize what preceded a heartburn symptom. In my case for example, I found heartburn symptom would occur following too much coffee. A self confessed coffee addict, I suddenly realised the onset of heartburn symptom followed the consumption of one too many gourmet coffees. I then cut down my coffee consumption by about 90 per cent and haven’t had a problem since. Obviously my case is was treated as mild heartburn symptom but I was aware enough to firstly recognize what brought it on and then to do something about it.

It may be a good idea to keep a record before and after you make any changes to your lifestyle. These can be discussed with your doctor, particularly any improvements you notice so you can then set about re-adjusting.

Diet is another area to look at when recognizing heartburn symptom. In most instances, heartburn symptom sufferers can relate an episode to one or more types of food. Once you identify these you can set about reorganizing your diet. There are known categories of foods that don’t go hand in hand with heartburn and for chronic sufferers in particular, a major dietry change may be required.

There are a number of treatments for heartburn symptom including antacids but treatment can vary in relation to the seriousness of any related heartburn attack. Again, your physician can provide information on these. In my instance, I identified what brought on my heartburn symptom and acted accordingly.

Heartburn symptom doesn’t have to rule your life. With heartburn, prevention is sometimes better than cure. Take some commonsense steps such as isolating instances and dietry intake preceding an attack and you will be well on the way to getting on top of any future heartburn symptom threat.



Luis

Paul Courtney asked:


Is Chronic Heartburn A Sign Of Other Problems?

For heartburn symptoms to be deemed chronic, it would have to occur more than three times a week for a period of two or three weeks. If you are suffering from continual heartburn it is important to check if there have been any alterations in diet, excessive consumption of alcohol,increased stress or the taking of strong medications on a regular basis.

For chronic heartburn to be confirmed a substantial change must have occured, if the person’s diet or other aspects of their lifestyle have not changed, it could be a sign of other medical problems. It is important to be aware of the circumstances as persons using self-treatment to combat chronic heartburn may be masking the symptoms of these more serious problems

Typically, heartburn is caused by the contents in the stomach being pushed back into the esophagus, causing the acid in the stomach to irritate its sensitive lining. There are many causes of this such as:

- gastrointestinal reflux disease,

- a hiatal hernia

- or a blockage in the stomach.

When a person suffers from chronic heartburn it is advisable to check with a doctor to rule out any of these major problems.

Usually, when a person suffers from heartburn, it is not uncommon if dietary habits are inconsistent or they eat or drink something that is high in acidic content the digestive system works overtime producing excessive acids. In these cases and over the counter medication will usually quell the burning sensation and it will disappear once the substance has been processed. However, If it continues for several days during a week or two, chronic heartburn may be diagnosed and will be treated with prescription medications.

Extinguishing The Fire In The Belly

For those suffering from chronic heartburn, they are also at risk for developing ulcers in the esophagus as well as in the stomach. Many times, it is the result of the stomach being fooled into thinking more acid is needed to help with the digestive process that exacerbates the situation. Many believe falsely that drinking milk can calm an acid stomach when in reality milk may actually trigger the stomach’s acid pumps to produce more due to the added content in the stomach.

Anybody suffering from chronic heartburn will need to change their lifestyle to help eliminate the problem. This usually requires a change of diet(ie staying away from rich fatty foods that require a lot of digestion and sticking to more fresh fruit and vegetables that are much easier to digest). If it is determined the heartburn is being caused by prescription medication, the doctor may alter the dosage of the medication or change to another type if one is available. The patient may also be prescribed anti-acid medication until the offending medication is better accepted by the person and the side effects disappear.

Acid indigestion, as it is often called, can be an extremely uncomfortable feeling. It can also offer similar symptoms of a heart attack and should never be ignored. When a person is suffering from chronic heartburn, getting help from a doctor or other medical professional is recommended to prevent additional damage to the esophagus or to learn if it is hiding another, potentially dangerous, condition.

As with most other bodily functions, it is important to act swiftly to determine what the problem is, what causes the problem and what needs to be done to cure the problem before it gets worse, but more importantly why suffer at all when with a little thought and preventative action this discomfort can be completely avoided and other complications associated with it will never arise..

Author’s Biography: Paul Courtney contributes articles to various publications pertaining to Alternative and Herbal Medicine, for more information please visit http://www.heartburncurer.com



Marilyn

Anna Hart asked:


Heartburn information is readily available from your physician. Heartburn information is readily available in books and on the Internet. Heartburn information, right and wrong, is available from family and friends.

Heartburn information tells why it happens, if it is accurate heartburn information. It explains the root cause of heartburn, and helps you understand that the burning pain is only a symptom of heartburn, not the cause. Heartburn information tells you how to treat not only the symptoms, but also the cause.

When heartburn information says why it happens, it should go on to answer this question: Will losing several pounds of weight from my waistline lower heartburn risks?

That is not the only question it should answer, but it is an important one, especially in our modern society. Daily warnings are being sounded about the growing problem of obesity, and when heartburn information says why it happens, it should include the matter of excess body fat.

Heartburn Information – Root Cause

A muscular problem is at the root of all heartburn. The muscle involved is, in shorthand, the LES. The LES (lower esophageal sphincter) is a ring of muscular tissue between the stomach and the esophagus. A healthy, strong, LES relaxes to allow swallowed food to enter the stomach. It then squeezes tight to keep that food and stomach acids where they belong.

The LES can be compared to fingers pinching shut the connection between a straw and a balloon full of water. If the fingers relax, water can slosh back up into the straw. If the LES relaxes at the wrong time, acid can slosh (reflux) back into the esophagus, causing a burning sensation.

Heartburn and Obesity

The link between heartburn and obesity has long been established, but more recent research is beginning to explain that link.

Pressure within the stomach can force open the LES in much the same way you could squeeze that full balloon, and force back the fingers holding its top. The more pressure on the balloon, the more likelihood that water will be forced out of the balloon. The more pressure on the stomach, the greater the likelihood that the LES will open and acid will flow back into the esophagus.

A recent study measured pressure within the stomach to see how it was affected by excess body weight (obesity). The study found, essentially, that each increase of 10 to 20 pounds of weight was linked to a 10 percent increase in stomach pressure. In other words, a person who gained 10 to 20 pounds was putting about 10 percent more pressure on his or her stomach. This, in turn, increased the pressure on the LES ring of muscle.

In 2006, an analysis was made of 20 studies on this subject. Those studies were extensive, including more than 18,000 patients. The analysis, in the U.S., showed that being overweight increased by more than 50 percent a person’s odds of developing GERD – a serious disease resulting from chronic heartburn.

Obesity with heartburn more than doubled the odds of developing GERD.

When heartburn information tells why it happens, it must include this vital fact. Heartburn is greatly aggravated by excess body weight. i.e., obesity.

Lose Both Weight and Heartburn

In light of the studies mentioned, it is only common sense to conclude that many who lose weight will also lose heartburn. If the reverse of the above cited weight-gain-to-pressure ratio is true, then a loss of 10 to 20 pounds of weight would reduce pressure on the stomach by about 10 percent.

Heartburn relief for many can be as simple as reaching and maintaining a healthy weight. This is the treatment for many diseases, and it requires no medication, but somehow, we are reluctant to discipline ourselves to accomplish it.

CAUTION: The author is not a professional physician, and offers this information for educational purposes only. If you have heartburn regularly, please seek advice from your health care provider.



Bernice

peterhutch asked:


The symptoms of duodenal ulcers include heartburn, stomach pain relieved by eating or taking antacids, weight gain, and a burning sensation at the back of the throat. The patient is most likely to feel discomfort two to four hours after meals, or after having citrus juice, coffee, or aspirin. About fifty percent of patients with duodenal ulcers awake during the night with pain, usually between midnight and three a.m. If an ulcer is bleeding, the patient may have vomit containing bright red blood or digested blood that looks like brown coffee grounds and black, tarry bowel movements.

Stomach is called a gastric ulcer; of the duodenum, a duodenal ulcer; and of the esophagus, an esophageal ulcer. An ulcer occurs when the lining of these organs is corroded by the acidic digestive juices which are secreted by the stomach cells. Peptic ulcer disease is common, affecting millions of Americans yearly. The medical cost of treating peptic ulcer and its complications runs in the billions of dollars annually. Recent medical advances have increased our understanding of ulcer formation. Improved and expanded treatment options are now available.

A peptic ulcer is erosion in the lining of the stomach or duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). The word “peptic” refers to pepsin, a stomach enzyme that breaks down proteins. If a peptic ulcer is located in the stomach it is called a gastric ulcer. Small ulcers may not cause any symptoms. Large ulcers can cause serious bleeding. Most ulcers occur in the first layer of the inner lining. A hole that goes all the way through is called a perforation of the intestinal lining. A perforation is a medical emergency.

Duodenal ulcers usually occur in younger people, while gastric ulcers occur in older age groups. It is still not clear what, if any, role stress plays in the development of ulcers. Alcohol and diet are not felt to play a very important role in the formation of ulcers. Some ulcers are caused by an organism called Helicobacter pylori, some are due to medications, and a few are caused by stomach or intestinal cancer. Therefore, treatment and long-term outcome depends on the cause of the ulcer.

The understanding of the etiology of duodenal ulcer has changed dramatically in the latter part of the 20th century. Historically, duodenal ulcer was thought to be a disease related to diet and environmental stress alone. Subsequent studies revealed the importance of pepsin and acid secretion in the pathogenesis of duodenal ulcer. The most revolutionary change in the knowledge of duodenal ulcer was the discovery in 1982 that the bacterium H pylori was present in most patients.

The most common symptom of a duodenum is a gnawing or burning pain in the abdomen between the breastbone and navel. Duodenal ulcers typically cause symptoms 2 to 5 hours after meals, when the stomach is empty, and can be relieved by eating. Gastric ulcers, on the other hand, are classically made worse by eating. You may experience pain soon after meals, and food won’t improve symptoms. For each, the duration of pain can be from a few minutes to a few hours.

If a person does not receive treatment for ulcers, it could lead to a bleeding ulcer (the ulcer has eaten into blood vessels and the blood has seeped into the digestive tract), a perforated ulcer (the ulcer has eaten a hole in the wall of the stomach or duodenum and bacteria and partially digested food has spilled into the hole, causing inflammation) or a narrowing and obstruction of the intestinal opening preventing food from leaving the stomach and entering the small intestine.



Paula

Jeff W. Martin asked:


Will Aciphex help any victims of heartburn to find real relief? In the following article, an ex heartburn sufferer relates the unpleasant facts about Aciphex, after having measured it against many alternative solutions, and all this for an Over The Counter medicament against heartburn known by millions. Sales per annum of Aciphex already topped $1.3 billion (figures from 2006).

Although healthy people can sometimes get heartburn also, chronic heartburn (every two or three days) may suggest acid reflux, also known as GERD – gastro esophageal reflux disease. About 20% of adults in developed western countries must endure recurring heartburn. The name heartburn simply describes the burning sensation of pain in the throat or the chest, often brought on after a meal.

The acid reflux at the root of the pain of heartburn is triggered by the weakness of the esophageal sphincter. It can lead to inflammation of the inner esophagus (esophagitis) and difficulties in swallowing, bleeding, esophageal passage constriction, Barrett’s esophagus, and sometimes cancer. GERD is the medical condition generated by the incorrect functioning of a muscle between the esophagus and the stomach. Called the lower esophageal sphincter, this muscle’s function is to block off the esophagus from the stomach to stop acidic content from moving back into the esophagus.

Aciphex tries to reduce stomach acidity as a way to reduce acid reflux symptoms such as heartburn. There are however at least two factors provoking acid reflux. Besides acidity being too high in the stomach, the other one is depleted strength of esophageal sphincter.

Halting the production of stomach acid is the hallmark of the group of PPIs (Proton Pump Inhibitors). PPIs do this by “dismantling” the proton pump, which is what the stomach uses to fabricate acid. Aciphex is a member of the PPI group, developed to treat acid reflux symptoms, and which also contains Prevacid, Protonix and Prilosec.

Nonetheless, the real reason for acid reflux lies elsewhere. Aciphex is only concentrating on the feeling of heartburn. When the real reason is neglected, it will continue to produce the symptom and this may even result in drug dependency and even bigger problems of acid reflux. Even if it may be true that almost instant relief is brought by Aciphex and other PPIs, downsides are also part of the equation? In particular, because gastric acid aids digestion and kills certain invasive bacteria and viruses, deliberately stifling its production may be unwise.

A surprising conclusion was derived from the role of gastric acid which normally extends to disabling pathogens that enter the mouth, the esophagus and then the stomach. Without stomach acid, these microbes can then make their way back up the esophagus and contaminate the lungs to cause pneumonia. Not only this but other side effects almost as undesirable also come about. This information comes from medical research carried out in 2004 in Holland.

One of the other side effects noted from the artificial prevention of stomach acid was the simultaneous prevention of the body to correctly absorb calcium. Incorrect calcium balance in the body can lead to osteoporosis because of incorrect mineral bone density. UK research showed a 44% greater chance of breaking a hip, for sufferers over the age of 50 who had been using PPIs for over a year, compared to acid reflux sufferers not using PPIs. The types of PPIs referred to included Nexium, Prilosec, Aciphex, Protonix and Prevacid.

The right holistic approach will allow you to put GERD behind you forever and safely prevent it from ever coming back. Were you aware that heartburn and its painful sensations can now be a thing of the past without having to take Aciphex or any similar medicament?



Sally

Heather Colman asked:


Do you suffer from acid reflux or frequent heartburn? The burning sensation at the back of your throat or down by the breat bone can be quite painful. Most physicians will first recommend lifestyle modifications for treatment of acid reflux. Preventative measures are the preferred method of relief.

Lifestyle Modifications

* Avoid soft drinks that contain caffeine. Other foods to avoid are chocolate, peppermint, spicy foods, acidic foods like oranges, canned tomatoes, onions, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels and sprouts.

* Milk and milk-based products contain calcium and fat, so should be avoided before bedtime.

* Avoiding food for 2 hours before bedtime and not lying down after a meal are frequently recommended lifestyle modifications.

* Elevation to the head of the bed is the next-easiest to implement. Products are also available as seen on tv that will elevate the head of your bed through the use of an inflatable mattress lifter. This is an ideal low cost solution for relief from acid reflux.

You can also accomplish the correct elevation by placing cinder blocks as noted above or with other items: plastic or wooden bed risers which support bed posts or legs, a bed wedge pillow.

The height of the elevation is critical and must be within the range of 6 to 8 inches in order to be as effective as possible in hindering the backflow of gastric fluids. Elevating the bed is also known as “positional therapy”.

Drug treatments

A number of drugs are registered for the treatment of acid reflux, and they are among the most-often-prescribed forms of medication in most Western countries. They can be used in combination with other drugs, although some antacids can impede the function of other medications.

* Antacids before meals or symptomatically after symptoms begin can increase the pH and reduce gastric acidity. Alginic acid may coat the mucosa as well as increase the pH and decrease reflux.

* Gastric H2 receptor blockers such as ranitidine or famotidine can reduce gastric secretion of acid. These drugs are technically antihistamines. They relieve complaints in about 50% of all acid reflux patients.

* Proton pump inhibitors such as omeprazole are the most effective in reducing gastric acid secretion, as they stop the secretion of acid at the source of acid production, i.e. the proton pump.

To maximize effectiveness of this medication the drug should be taken a half hour before meals. Prokinetics strengthen the lower esophageal sphincter and speed up gastric emptying. Cisapride, a member of this class, was withdrawn from the market for causing Long QT syndrome.

If one implements pharmacologic therapy in combination with food avoidance before bedtime and elevation of the head of the bed over 95% of patients will have complete relief.

Surgical treatment

The standard surgical treatment, sometimes preferred over longtime use of medication, is the Nissen fundoplication. The upper part of the stomach is wrapped around the lower esophageal sphincter to strengthen the sphincter and prevent acid reflux and to repair a hiatal hernia. The procedure is often done laparoscopically.

An obsolete treatment is vagotomy, the surgical removal of vagus nerve branches that innervate the stomach lining. This treatment has been largely replaced by medication.

Disclaimer The information presented here should not be interpreted as medical advice. If you or someone you know suffers from acid reflux, please seek professional medical advice for the latest treatment options.



Samantha

Andrew Bicknell asked:


Most of us experience heartburn on occasion, but those who suffer from chronic heartburn may have much more serious disease known as acid reflux disease or GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease). It is a condition that has become much more common with an increasing number of people showing up in their doctor’s office being diagnosed with it. Acid reflux is just what it sounds like, the digestive acids in the stomach reflux, or flow back into, the esophagus causing discomfort, pain and damage to the esophageal membranes.

The first symptom most adults suffer from GERD is simply heartburn. It normally feels like a burning sensation or pressure beneath or behind the heart. As acid reflux progresses the symptoms can progress to a bitter taste in the back of the throat, pain or burning in the throat, and problems swallowing. If for any reason you think you have acid reflux or are experiencing the chest pain, which could be signs of heart disease, associated with it it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible.

Acid reflux disease, if left untreated, can cause life altering and eventually life threatening problems. The gastric acids can damage the lining of the esophagus causing inflammation known as esophagitis. It can also damage the larynx causing voice problems and hoarseness, chronic cough, choking, and post meal nausea and vomiting.

As the lower portion of the esophagus becomes increasingly damaged by stomach acid Barrett’s esophagus will begin to develop. This is a condition in which the cellular structure of the esophagus begins to change and is considered a pre-malignant condition that increases the risk of esophageal cancer development.

The cause of acid reflux may not be what you think it is. Many people believe that their symptoms are caused by the overproduction of stomach acids, and while this does play a role the actual reason the acid is able to regurgitate back up into the esophagus is the failure one or combination of three components of the esophagus; the anti-reflux barrier (ARB), the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), and the gastroesophageal valve (GEV). These three barriers function is to keep stomach acids from refluxing back up into the throat and when they are weakened or fail they are no longer able to prevent this from happening.

The treatment of acid reflux disease consists of several options, or a combination of treatments. One of the first things patients are asked to do is change their diet and avoid those foods that set off the production of excess acid. This may involve keeping a food log for several weeks that will help identify foods that make the condition worse. There are also a number of over-the-counter and prescription medications available that help control acid production. Your doctor is the best source of information when it comes to choosing the correct medications for this disease. In extreme cases surgery can be performed to fix the problem.

If you think you have acid reflux disease it is important that you speak with your doctor so that you can get the proper treatment. What may be mildly annoying symptoms today could turn into something much more serious without the proper diagnosis and treatment.



Leslie