Heartburn (GERD)
What Is Heartburn?
Persistent acid reflux that happens more than twice a week is called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), more commonly known as heartburn.
Heartburn is a burning pain in your chest, just behind your breastbone. The pain is often worse after eating, in the evening, or when lying down or bending over.
Occasional heartburn is common and no cause for alarm. Most people can manage the discomfort of heartburn on their own with lifestyle changes and over-the-counter medications.
Heartburn that is more frequent or interferes with your daily routine may be a symptom of a more serious condition that requires medical care.
Symptoms of heartburn can include:
· A burning pain in the chest that usually occurs after eating and may occur at night
· Pain that worsens when lying down or bending over
· Bitter or acidic taste in the mouth
· Bloating
· Bloody or black stools or bloody vomiting
· Burping
· Dysphagia -- the sensation of food being stuck in your throat
· Hiccups that don't let up
· Nausea
- Weight loss for no known reason
- Wheezing, dry cough, hoarseness, or chronic sore throat
Common Causes of heartburn:
These are other common risk factors for acid reflux disease:
- Eating large meals or lying down right after a meal
- Being overweight or obese
- Eating a heavy meal and lying on your back or bending over at the waist
- Snacking close to bedtime
- Eating certain foods, such as citrus, tomato, chocolate, mint, garlic, onions, or spicy or fatty foods
- Drinking certain beverages, such as alcohol, carbonated drinks, coffee, or tea
- Smoking
- Being pregnant
- Taking aspirin, ibuprofen, certain muscle relaxers, or blood pressure medications
Possible remedies of heartburn:
- following a healthful diet, with a limited fat intake
- avoid eating before lying down and sit up straight while eating
- avoiding heavy lifting and straining
- monitoring and avoiding triggers, such as alcohol, caffeine, spicy food, full cream milk, gassy foods, such as soft drinks, and acidic food, such as tomato, lemon, or orange juices
- reducing weight, if appropriate
- avoiding smoking
- keeping fit through exercise
- eating small meals, more often
- having a review of existing medications
Apart from lifestyle alterations, heartburn can be reduced by using drugs such as: