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

Juliet Cohen asked:


Barrett’s oesophagus is a condition in which abnormal cells develop on the inner lining of the lower part of the gullet (oesophagus). Barrett’s oesophagus is estimated to affect about 700,000 adults in the United States. While Barrett’s oesophagus may cause no symptoms itself, a small number of people with this condition develop a relatively rare but often deadly type of cancer of the oesophagus called ooesophageal adenocarcinoma. Barrett’s oesophagus is not a cancerous condition, but over a long period of time it can occasionally lead to cancer developing in the lower part of the oesophagus. Approximately 1-2 out of every 200 people in the UK have Barrett’s oesophagus; however, very few people with this condition go on to develop cancer (about 1 in 100 each year). It is associated with the very common condition gastroooesophageal reflux disease (GORD).

Causes of Barrett’s Oesophagus

The common Causes of Barrett’s Oesophagus :

A high fat diet that is low in fruit and vegetables can increase your risk of getting many types of cancer. The risk increases if you are also obese (very overweight).

Cancer of the oesophagus is most common in people over the age of 50

Long-term exposure to certain chemicals and pollutants – this can irritate the oesophagus and increase your risk of developing cancer.

Symptoms of Barrett’s Oesophagus

Some Symptoms of Barrett’s Oesophagus :

Vomiting

Painful swallowing

Difficulty swallowing

Persistent heartburn

Weight loss

A sensation of fullness during eating.

Treatment of Barrett’s Oesophagus

An anti-reflux operation can be performed, usually if the medications are ineffective. If cancerous cells or severe dysplasia has been detected, the lower oesophagus will need to be surgically removed

It is essential, once Barrett’s oesophagus has been diagnosed, that treatment is given which eliminates acid reflux. The typical medications used are lansoprazole, omeprazole and pantoprazole. These are very effective at eliminating symptoms of reflux. Specialists treating this condition may need to check the effectiveness of any medications, using 24-hour pH monitoring.



Douglas