Information for Heartburn Sufferers

We all hear people talk about heartburn and see adverts on tv for products that are supposed to help solve the problem. When we visit a greasy diner, as most of us do once in a while, and we eat all the wrong food like chili, fries and burgers, onions, and cheese we sometimes later find ourselves with a burning pain in our chest and we wonder what is wrong. The intense pain might just be heartburn.

Anyone who has ever suffered from acid reflux knows the discomfort and how unpleasant it can be and we all worry about our health. The condition of acid reflux occurs when the LES, or lower esophageal sphincter, does not close as it should do normally. GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease is a more serious form of GER (gastroesophageal reflux), which is more common and this problem allows the contents and acid gases from the stomach come up into the esophagus. This is what causes the discomfort that you feel.

Some of the variety of heartburn symptoms you may experience include burning sensation in the chest, which may spread upwards to the neck. Your chest may hurt when you lie down and you may also experience hot, bitter stomach acid coming up into the throat. These symptoms can sometimes be mistaken for a heart attack. If you do experience unexplained chest pain, it's prudent and very sensible to seek medical attention just to be on the safe side. You need to know it isn't a heart problem so if you have any doubts at all, visit a doctor for a diagnosis and any treatment they think you need. If it is heartburn or acid reflux there are some actions you can take that might reduce the frequency of attacks.

So what might be some of the causes of heartburn, or acid reflux? Your diet can play a very large role and can lead to all sorts of other digestive problems. A lot of people experience discomfort after eating spicy or acidic foods and there are a variety of foods which can sometimes aggravate the problem. These would include caffeinated beverages, tomatoes, chocolate, alcohol, and fried foods.

You may experience the problem because the lower esophageal sphincter, or LES, lacks proper muscle tone. Another reported cause is dysfunction with the way that the esophagus operates and one more possible cause is that certain prescription medications are said to affect its operation.

So, there seem to be several possible causes and you will want to find ways to treat the causes and symptoms of this problem. Watching what food you eat is one of the easiest ways to reduce the incidence and discomfort of acid reflux.

Get into good dietary habits and eat smaller, more frequent meals rather than large ones and try to include more healthy food and cut down on those processed greasy foods. Antacids in tablet, chewable or liquid form can offer fast relief from uncomfortable symptoms and can be purchased over the counter at your local pharmacy or supermarket but these should only be needed for the occasional bout of acid reflux.

You should consult with your doctor before deciding to take antacids, especially if you take prescription medications because of interaction risk. There are also prescription medications that can help with chronic conditions.

Heartburn and acid reflux doesn't always have to be part of your life and your doctor can help you devise a plan that may include lifestyle changes, dietary modifications and medications to alleviate the uncomfortable symptoms. You should take these suggestions seriously as they are usually very effective. By following the instructions of your doctor to the letter, you will often find you are able to live your life free from the pain and discomfort of indigestion and acid reflux heartburn.



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