Heart Burn- How to deal with the discomfort
Apr 12, 2009
YOU could be familiar with the burning sensation in the chest, just below the breastbone that occurs after a meal. It could last a few minutes or several hours.
By Anthony Olwoch
YOU could be familiar with the burning sensation in the chest, just below the breastbone that occurs after a meal. It could last a few minutes or several hours.
Dr. Robert Sidhe of Entebbe Medical Centre says heartburn is a symptom of a condition medically known as gastroesophageal reflux. Heartburn has absolutely nothing to do with the heart. It is an irritation of the esophagus (a tube that connects the mouth to the stomach) caused acid.
A muscular valve, called the lower oesophagus sphincter, located at the point where the oesophagus meets the stomach keeps the acid in the stomach with the help of gravity.
Under normal circumstances, this valve opens to allow belching. When it opens too far or too often, acid refluxes into the oesophagus causing a burning sensation.
“People suffering from heartburn often present with symptoms that include a burning sensation in the chest, chest pain, especially after bending over or lying down, a burning feeling in the throat and a salty or sour hot fluid at the back of the throat,†adds Sidhe. Heartburn is caused by a number of factors.
Dr. Sidhe says some of the foods we eat, drink and prescription medications stimulate increased stomach acid secretion, thus setting the stage for heartburn.
These include: alcohol, caffeine, carbonated beverages, acidic foods and juices (tomatoes, oranges, chocolate, grape fruit, pineapples), aspirin and other anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen.
Smoking and consumption of high fat foods tend to affect the functioning of the lower esophagus sphincter, causing it to relax and allow acid reflux into the esophagus.
Hiatal hernia, a condition in which the stomach lies in the chest instead of abdomen, can affect the way this valve functions and is a risk of acid reflux. Primary diseases of the oesophagus can also present with heartburn as a symptom.
Too much food in the stomach as a result of over eating or too much pressure on the stomach frequently from pregnancy or obesity causes the valve to open.
Stress strains the nerves controlling the oesophogeal valve and can thus cause heartburn. According to a medical author, Dr. Benjamin C. Wedro, heartburn has complications. If ignored, recurrent irritation and inflammation of the oesophagus can lead to ulcers, which are small areas of tissue breakdown.
These can cause serious bleeding. If neglected it can lead to other serious conditionslike Barret’s oesophagus or oesophageal cancer.
Prevention
Adopting a healthy lifestyle will help to safeguard one from this condition.
Eat small quantities and more frequently. Avoid eating just before bedtime.
Avoid aspirin, alcohol and too much caffeine.
Stop smoking.
Elevate the head of the bed or use two or three pillows to allow gravity to keep acid in the stomach and avoid reflux.
Have adequate rest, exercise regularly and minimise stress.
Maintaining a reasonable weight will lessen the pressure exerted on the stomach.
Treatment
Dr. Sidhe says a prescription of antacids, for example magnesium trisilicate taken after meals, at bedtime or when needed will neutralise the stomach acids and relieve the pain especially for people suffering from occasional heartburn.
When there is no relief after taking antacids, it is advisable to seek medical attention from a professional doctor for further treatment.
Dr. Wedro says surgery is an option for patients when intensive medical therapy does not provide adequate relief. It should be noted that milk is not a remedy for heartburn.
The soothing effect felt when drinking is deceptive once in the stomach, fat, calcium and protein from the milk cause an increase in the production of stomach acid and worsens the heartburn.
Eating plenty of fibre from a variety of vegetables, non-citrus fruits and whole grains, promote a healthy digestion and minimise acid reflux.
Use low-fat methods when cooking since high fats in food affect the functioning of the valve.
Herbal chamomile tea is said to have a calming effect on the stomach. Try some after you eat or before bed.
YOU could be familiar with the burning sensation in the chest, just below the breastbone that occurs after a meal. It could last a few minutes or several hours.
Dr. Robert Sidhe of Entebbe Medical Centre says heartburn is a symptom of a condition medically known as gastroesophageal reflux. Heartburn has absolutely nothing to do with the heart. It is an irritation of the esophagus (a tube that connects the mouth to the stomach) caused acid.
A muscular valve, called the lower oesophagus sphincter, located at the point where the oesophagus meets the stomach keeps the acid in the stomach with the help of gravity.
Under normal circumstances, this valve opens to allow belching. When it opens too far or too often, acid refluxes into the oesophagus causing a burning sensation.
“People suffering from heartburn often present with symptoms that include a burning sensation in the chest, chest pain, especially after bending over or lying down, a burning feeling in the throat and a salty or sour hot fluid at the back of the throat,†adds Sidhe. Heartburn is caused by a number of factors.
Dr. Sidhe says some of the foods we eat, drink and prescription medications stimulate increased stomach acid secretion, thus setting the stage for heartburn.
These include: alcohol, caffeine, carbonated beverages, acidic foods and juices (tomatoes, oranges, chocolate, grape fruit, pineapples), aspirin and other anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen.
Smoking and consumption of high fat foods tend to affect the functioning of the lower esophagus sphincter, causing it to relax and allow acid reflux into the esophagus.
Hiatal hernia, a condition in which the stomach lies in the chest instead of abdomen, can affect the way this valve functions and is a risk of acid reflux. Primary diseases of the oesophagus can also present with heartburn as a symptom.
Too much food in the stomach as a result of over eating or too much pressure on the stomach frequently from pregnancy or obesity causes the valve to open.
Stress strains the nerves controlling the oesophogeal valve and can thus cause heartburn. According to a medical author, Dr. Benjamin C. Wedro, heartburn has complications. If ignored, recurrent irritation and inflammation of the oesophagus can lead to ulcers, which are small areas of tissue breakdown.
These can cause serious bleeding. If neglected it can lead to other serious conditionslike Barret’s oesophagus or oesophageal cancer.
Prevention
Adopting a healthy lifestyle will help to safeguard one from this condition.
Eat small quantities and more frequently. Avoid eating just before bedtime.
Avoid aspirin, alcohol and too much caffeine.
Stop smoking.
Elevate the head of the bed or use two or three pillows to allow gravity to keep acid in the stomach and avoid reflux.
Have adequate rest, exercise regularly and minimise stress.
Maintaining a reasonable weight will lessen the pressure exerted on the stomach.
Treatment
Dr. Sidhe says a prescription of antacids, for example magnesium trisilicate taken after meals, at bedtime or when needed will neutralise the stomach acids and relieve the pain especially for people suffering from occasional heartburn.
When there is no relief after taking antacids, it is advisable to seek medical attention from a professional doctor for further treatment.
Dr. Wedro says surgery is an option for patients when intensive medical therapy does not provide adequate relief. It should be noted that milk is not a remedy for heartburn.
The soothing effect felt when drinking is deceptive once in the stomach, fat, calcium and protein from the milk cause an increase in the production of stomach acid and worsens the heartburn.
Eating plenty of fibre from a variety of vegetables, non-citrus fruits and whole grains, promote a healthy digestion and minimise acid reflux.
Use low-fat methods when cooking since high fats in food affect the functioning of the valve.
Herbal chamomile tea is said to have a calming effect on the stomach. Try some after you eat or before bed.