Do you suffer from heartburn?

This heartburn disturbs your peace of mind, prevents you from enjoying your favorite meal, or restful sleep, and causes you to feel uncomfortable.

So if you would like to know more information about heartburn, what its causes are, and how it can be treated, follow this article with me.

What is heartburn?

Heartburn is a burning sensation in the chest behind the sternum, which irritates the esophagus (the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach).

This occurs due to esophageal reflux, which results from a weak lower esophageal sphincter and not closing properly, allowing stomach acids to return to the esophagus.

This muscle acts as a valve that allows food to descend into the stomach, then closes to prevent food and acid from refluxing into the esophagus again.

Heartburn may be an occasional condition for many people, or it may occur repeatedly and become a chronic condition for others.

However, it should be noted that if heartburn is accompanied by other symptoms, such as severe chest pain, it may be a heart attack, and you must seek immediate help from a doctor.

Causes of heartburn

A weak lower esophageal sphincter valve is the main cause of heartburn, but there are several factors that may contribute to increasing your risk of developing it, such as: 

1. Hiatal hernia: It occurs when the upper part of the stomach pierces the diaphragm.
2. Pregnancy: Heartburn is common during the last trimester of pregnancy.
3. التدخين.
4. Obesity, or زيادة الوزن.
5. Medicines, such as: 

• Aspirin.
• Ibuprofen.
• Tranquilizers.
• Antibiotics.
• Blood pressure medications.

1. Bacterial infection in the stomach.
2. Stress and anxiety.
3. Eat large meals often.
4. Eat right before bed.
5. Lying down or bending over after eating.
6. You suffer from constipation.
7. Increased certain hormones, such as estrogen or progesterone.
8. Stomach ulcer.
9. Some types of food, such as the following: 

• Tomatoes
• Coffee, or products containing caffeine.
• Chocolate.
• Spicy foods.
• Citrus.
• Garlic and onions.
• Mint.
• Fatty foods.

Learn: Everything you want to know about Gastroscopy And the procedure steps in detail

Symptoms of heartburn

Heartburn results in an annoying, burning pain in the middle of the chest, and may be accompanied by the following symptoms: 

• Frequent cough or hiccups.
• sore throat.
• رائحة فم كريهة.
• Pressure or pain behind the sternum.
• Difficulty swallowing.
• hoarseness.
• Sour or bitter taste in the mouth.
• Pain worsens after lying down or bending over.
• laryngitis.
• Aggravation الربو.
• Bloating and nausea.
• Feeling like food is stuck in the middle of the chest or throat.

How is heartburn diagnosed?

Your doctor diagnoses heartburn based on your symptoms and medical history.

Therefore, your doctor may ask you to undergo the following tests to diagnose esophageal reflux, including: 

1.X-rays: 

Your doctor will advise you to drink a chalky white solution called barium, which coats the lining of the upper digestive tract.

Then you will undergo an X-ray to examine your esophagus, stomach and upper intestine.

2.Endoscopy: 

Endoscopy involves inserting a small, lighted camera at the end of a long tube down your throat, and your doctor will give you a relaxing medication, to examine your upper digestive tract (from the esophagus to the stomach to the upper part of the small intestine).

This procedure is used to search for the following: 

• Esophagitis.
• Hiatal hernia.
• Barrett's esophagus.
• The presence of an ulcer in the stomach lining.

1. Esophageal manometry: 

The doctor will insert a tube through your nose and into your esophagus to measure esophageal contractions when you swallow.

1. Monitoring esophageal pH: 

The doctor performs this procedure by implanting a wireless capsule in the esophagus during upper endoscopy, to measure when stomach acid returns to the esophagus, and for how long it refluxes.

The capsule transmits the readings to a receiver that you wear on your waist belt.

1. Mobile acidity probe test: 

This test measures stomach acidity for up to 48 hours, using wireless sensors.

Book your consultation now at مركز أمراض الجهاز الهضمي At Al Mousa Specialist Hospital.

Ways to treat heartburn

You can use over-the-counter medications; 

• Antacids: 

These medications help neutralize stomach acidity, in order to relieve the pain of heartburn, and they work excellently if you suffer from occasional heartburn.

 They also contain ingredients that may treat other symptoms, such as: 

• Simethicone helps treat gas.
• Magnesium contributes to alleviating mild constipation.

Stomach acidity medications include the following:

• Gaviscon.
• Mylanta.
• rolaids.
• Alka-seltzer.
• Tams.

However, it must be noted that frequent use of these medications may lead to some side effects.

• Alginate:

Alginates are natural sugars derived from seaweed and help prevent acid reflux by forming an insulating foam layer over stomach acid.

You can take alginate alone if you cannot take antacids due to another condition.

• Histamine (H2) blockers: 

These medications reduce the amount of acid in the stomach by blocking the chemical (histamine) that stimulates the body to produce it.

These medications do not work as quickly as antacids, but their effects may last longer. They include the following: 

• Cimetidine.
• Famotidine.
• Nizatidine.

It should be noted that if your body adapts to these medications, they may stop working effectively.

• Proton pump inhibitors: 

It is one of the most powerful medications used to treat stomach acidity, and your doctor may prescribe it for you if you suffer from severe heartburn.

It also contributes to the following: 

• Promote healing of damaged tissue in the esophagus.
• It is the only treatment for esophageal ulcers

Examples of proton pump inhibitors include: 

• Omeprazole.
• Lansoprazole.
• Esomeprazole.

We must note that these medications should not be used in the long term.

• Surgery: 

Surgery may sometimes be necessary to treat heartburn symptoms. 

• Other treatments didn't help.
• If the lower esophageal sphincter does not work properly.
• Heartburn is caused by esophageal reflux.
• If you have esophageal cancer.

Read also: Gastric balloon.. Everything you need to know about the advantages and disadvantages

When do you visit the doctor?

Heartburn is a common condition, and many people suffer from it from time to time. 

1. If you suffer from heartburn more than twice a week.
2. If your symptoms do not improve with treatment.

You can also visit a doctor if you develop the following symptoms: 

1. Difficulty swallowing.
2. Pain when swallowing.
3. ضيق في التنفس.
4. vertigo.
5. Dark or bloody stools.
6. Pain extending from the back to the shoulder.
7. Sweating with chest pain.

How can heartburn be prevented?

The doctor may advise you on some instructions that you must follow, in order to prevent heartburn, such as: 

• Avoid foods and drinks that may make symptoms worse, such as acidic foods, high-fat foods, and soft drinks.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Do not eat late at night.
• Eat smaller meals throughout the day.
• Eat slowly.
• التوقف عن التدخين.
• Avoid wearing tight clothes.
• Wait a few hours after eating to lie down.

Tips for living with heartburn

If you want to stop or prevent heartburn, you should follow the following tips: 

1. Loosen the waist belt, because pressure on the abdomen contributes to esophageal reflux.
2. Try to lose weight if you are obese.
3. Find ways to relax.
4. Eat small amounts of food throughout the day to help your stomach reduce acid production.
5. Sleeping on the left side.
6. Do not go to bed with a full stomach.
7. Do not stop taking any prescribed medication without consulting your doctor first.
8. Avoid trigger foods.

Complications of heartburn

Although occasional heartburn is annoying, it doesn't cause any harm.

If GERD is left untreated, it may lead to additional health problems, such as: 

• Inflammation or ulceration of the esophagus.
• Difficulties in swallowing due to narrowing of the esophagus.
• Barrett's esophagus. Long-term cough.
• Tightness in the chest.
• Sore throat.
• Intestinal dysplasia.

Frequently asked questions about heartburn

If you suffer from heartburn and want to treat it, you may have many questions on your mind, such as: 

What is the difference between heartburn and heartburn?

Acidity is a condition that results from increased acid production in the stomach. Heartburn is a symptom of this condition and causes uncomfortable chest pain.

Does milk relieve heartburn?

Milk and dairy products may help relieve heartburn in some cases, because they contain high levels of calcium, which reduces stomach acidity.

Low-fat milk is the best choice to relieve heartburn, because foods rich in fat may make symptoms worse.

Does irritable bowel syndrome cause heartburn?

Yes, it may cause Irritable bowel syndrome Other symptoms, such as heartburn.

In conclusion, I now realize, dear reader, what heartburn is?

I also learned about ways to treat it, and how it can be prevented.

So, if you suffer from heartburn and want to get rid of it, you should go to Al Mousa Specialist Hospital, so that the best doctors can help you diagnose your condition and determine the appropriate treatment for you.

Sources

Heartburn: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment – webmd

Heartburn – clevelandclinic