Frequent Heartburn

Understanding Frequent Heartburn

Heartburn is a burning sensation in the chest caused by acid reflux that millions of people experience every now and then. While most people only experience heartburn once a month or less, some experience what's known as frequent heartburn. As far as heartburn is concerned, it can be designated as frequent if it occurs more than twice per week. If you fall into this category, keep reading to learn more about causes and cures for this problem.

One cause of chronic or severe heartburn might be GERD, which stands for gastroesophageal reflux disease. The most common symptom of GERD is chronic acid reflux which leads to heartburn. While this disease can be effectively treated, it is one that requires treatment to be maintained for years, even for a lifetime. Often, GERD is treated with a prescription medicine known as a PPI or proton pump inhibitor. Once only available with a prescription, Prilosec OTC is the only over the counter proton pump inhibitor out there today. All of the others must be prescribed by your doctor.

What if GERD is not the problem? Sometimes, less common conditions like hiatal hernia or peptic ulcer can also cause chronic acid reflux. If you go to your doctor and do not have any of these conditions, perhaps the problem is dietary in nature. Modifying what, how and when you eat can sometimes provide a great deal of relief for heartburn sufferers.

Eating small meals spaced evenly through the day and avoiding food in the last few hours before going to bed can help prevent acid reflux. Also, it can really help to avoid certain foods. Fatty, spicy foods and acidic foods like citrus and tomato can often trigger acid reflux and heartburn.
Caffeinated drinks, chocolate, and alcohol are also potential culprits. Even smoking cigarettes and wearing tight clothes can be factors in heartburn. In addition to changing your dietary and lifestyle habits, over the counter antacids can often also provide relief.

Always check with your doctor before taking antacids, however, because they can interact with certain medicines. If you suffer from frequent heartburn, your doctor needs to figure out why. Once the cause of the problem is determined, your doctor can decide what kind of treatment will work best for you. Sometimes the solution is diet and lifestyle related, other times you may need a prescription in conjunction with dietary changes.

Banish Heartburn

Heartburn News:

What can I do about my heartburn?
Got a question about a health story in the news or a health topic? Here's your chance to get an answer...

Share Your Experience: What Foods Are Your Biggest Heartburn Trigger?
You may need to avoid certain foods if you suffer from heartburn. What foods are your biggest heartburn trigger? How do you cope with food triggers? Any handy tips or food substitutions? Share your experience with others ! Prev..

U.S. experts back AstraZeneca blood thinner
U.S. advisers backed a potential blockbuster blood thinner from AstraZeneca on Wednesday, a victory for a company seeking new drugs to offset expiring patents on some of its best-selling medicines...

Lemonade adds a citrus kick to a variety of alcohols
Nothing is better in the middle of summer than a nice, cold glass of lemonade. In the spirits world, lemonade also is gaining in popularity as a mixer, probably because it blends well with so many different kinds of alcohol...

Heartburn Home Remedy
Heartburn is a condition that produces a burning sensation behind the ribs and breastbone that spread up to the throat. ...

Lords in Leeds raise new hope
The communicator: Salman Butt, centre, giving former US president GeorgeW Bush, right, a cricket lesson in this file photo...

New Market Research Report: Digestive Remedies - Netherlands
Sales were lower in current value terms when compared with the previous year but remained positive, supported by advertising by larger manufacturers behind well-known brands such as Gaviscon or the rapid growth of smaller products such as H2 blockers...

Night Sweats: Remedies for Night Sweats
For those of you who wake up drenched because of an attack of night sweats, here are some night sweats remedies that you can benefit from...

Seniors Understand Very Little About The Health Overhaul Law, Poll Finds
The Hill : "The majority of the nation's seniors have little understanding of what the Democrats' newly enacted healthcare law actually does, according to poll results released Monday ...

No decision on county budget: Commission to reconvene Aug. 9 after county general election
In spite of a state mandate to fund the school system with a probable tax increase or wheel tax looming over their heads, county commissioners delayed passing the 2010-'11 budget and postponed addressing the subject again until after the upcoming county general election Aug...

Technorati Tags: heartburn, Understanding Frequent Heartburn, Frequent Heartburn