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Heartburn is usually a painful, burning feeling in the chest caused by acidic stomach juices. It is sometimes referred to as acid indigestion. It has nothing to do with the heart. It is referred to as heartburn, because of the location of the pain.
People with heartburn have many different symptoms. Some common symptoms people report are:
a burning chest pain
a feeling that food is coming back into the mouth or not going down
an acid or bitter taste at the back of the throat
an increase in severity of pain when lying down or bending over
a cough
Heartburn occurs when the harsh, stomach acids used to break down food refluxes or flows backward into the esophagus. The esophagus is the "tube" that carries food from the mouth to the stomach. The stomach is protected from these strong acids, but the esophagus is not. The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is a valve that keeps stomach acid in the stomach. When it is not working properly stomach acid leaves the stomach and enters the esophagus causing heartburn.
Changing daily habits or what one eats can prevent heartburn. Avoiding acidic foods or foods high in fat can help. Certain foods are known to cause heartburn. These foods include:
Acidic fruits (orange juice, lemons/lemonade, tomatoes, grapefruit juice)
Raw onions, french fries, mashed potatoes
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Sour cream, milkshake, ice cream, cottage cheese
Chocolate, corn chips, potato chips, brownies, donuts,
Liquor, wine, coffee, tea, carbonated beverages
Spicy foods, peppermint, spearmint,
Changing daily activities to be more heartburn-friendly can greatly reduce heartburn. These lifestyle changes include:
Avoid eating right before going to bed
Do not lie down for 2 hours after eating
Avoid smoking
Lose weight (if overweight)
Eat smaller amounts of food at a time
Eat slower and chew food more
Exercise
Elevate the head of the bed with blocks of wood by 6 inches (especially helpful in patients who experience night-time symptoms)
Avoid tight fitting clothing or tight belts
Antacids neutralize the acid in your stomach and are available without a prescription. They provide fast, short-term relief, lasting for 30 minutes to 2 hours. Examples of antacids are Tumsâ, Mylantaâ, Rolaidsâ, and Maaloxâ.
H2-receptor blockers reduce the amount of acid your stomach makes and are available without a prescription. They relieve heartburn in about 1 hour. They last longer than antacids, working for 6-10 hours. Examples of H2-receptor blockers are: Pep
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cidâ (famotidine), Tagametâ (cimetidine), and Zantacâ (ranitidine). Many times you can find a combination of an antacid and an H2-receptor blocker. This works well because it combines the benefits of both classes by providing immediate heartburn relief and lasting for many hours.
Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) stop your body from making harsh stomach acids. All of these medications require a prescription, except one. These medications take several days to start working. Many times an antacid is occasionally needed while on a PPI. PPIs should only be used after other treatments have failed or if heartburn occurs several days during one week. Examples of PPIs are: Prevacidâ, Nexiumâ, Aciphexâ, Protonixâ, and Prilosec OTCâ (available over-the-counter).
For more information on heartburn talk to your local healthcare provider or visit www.heartburnalliance.com.
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