Wednesday, April 8, 2020

What is Heartburn: Causes, symptoms, and treatment


What is heartburn


Heartburn causes chest irritation and pain, which often worsens after dinner or at bedtime in the evening. Sometimes it is common to have a heartburn complaint and there is no alarm bell. Some lifestyle changes and taking over-the-counter medicines can relieve it. If this condition persists for a long period of time, then it can be a sign of some serious illness.

Heartburn complaints are very common at the time of pregnancy. Many people complain about it after eating food, but it can also occur while sleeping. Some people may have this problem after eating any food item or drinking some beverage.




What are the symptoms of heartburn?




  1. Burning pain or pain in the chest after eating or at night
  2. Pain that worsens when lying down or bending over
  3. Chronic cough
  4. Stomach pain or burning in the upper abdomen
  5. Difficulty swallowing food
  6. Bitter or acidic taste in the mouth
  7. Persistent sore throat



When should I see a doctor?


If you have chest pain and trouble breathing, you should seek medical help immediately without delay.

If you are taking medication for chest irritation more than twice a week, then visit the doctor once.

If you have trouble swallowing food.

Losing weight due to loss of appetite or difficulty in eating
If you are constantly complaining of nausea and vomiting, then you should consult a doctor.







What causes heartburn



Heartburn occurs when the acid present in the stomach comes back into the esophagus. Usually, when you swallow something, the muscles around the bottom of your esophagus (esophagus) carry food and fluids down your stomach. After that these muscles tighten from the back.

If your lower esophageal sprinkler is weak or does not work properly then the stomach acid goes back into the esophagus, causing heartburn. The withdrawal of acid while lying and bending can be severe.

Heartburn can also be complained due to these things of food:

Alcohol: Alcohol may affect the function of the lower esophageal sprinkler.
Fatty food, spicy food, fried food and some acidic foods like orange, grapefruit, tomato etc. can cause heartburn problems.

Coffee, Orange and other acidic juices: These are some of the drinks that can worsen or trigger heartburn.

In some people, garlic, onion, chocolate and mint can also cause heartburn.

Everyone reacts differently to different eating habits. Track what makes your condition worse after eating and make a list. Write down the things you consume in this list. When you eat something and after that your condition gets bad then circle it. After doing this, after some time you will start to understand yourself that which things cause you trouble.

If you have frequent heartburn complaints, it is called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). For this you need to see a doctor. Your doctor may recommend you to treat it. In some cases, surgery may also be required. This disease can also damage the esophagus. There are some changes in the esophagus, which is likely to lead to Barrett's esophagus.







Diagnosis and treatment


The information given is not a substitute for any medical advice. Always consult your doctor for more information.



How is Heartburn diagnosed?


Your doctor may advise you to take the following tests after seeing the symptoms:

X-Ray of Upper Digestive System
Endoscopy
Ambulatory acid test
Esophageal impedance test
How is Heartburn treated?
Your doctor may make some changes in your eating habits to relieve the symptoms of heartburn. Along with this, you can also recommend some of the following over the counter medicines:

Antacids
H2 receptor blockers
Proton pump inhibitors



Home Remedies


How can heartburn be dealt with with the help of lifestyle changes and home remedies?
You can get relief from heartburn complaints by making slight changes in your lifestyle and food habits. Heartburn problem can be overcome by the following:


Follow healthy Reducing weight
Stop Smoking
Avoid eating large amounts of food
Include fat in a limited amount of diet.


Do not eat before bedtime Keeping fit through exercise

If you often have heartburn complaints at night while sleeping, then you should make a space between your mattress and bed box with extra pillows to lift your body above your waist. You will feel relieved by doing so.

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