Heartburn is a commonly faced problem caused due to acid reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It is a burning feeling in the center of your chest, behind your breast bone. It is often treated at home, but sometimes it causes severe discomfort making it difficult to eat and drink. In such conditions, you may need to report to a doctor.
What is Heartburn?
Heartburn is a burning sensation in the chest that frequently occurs with a sour taste in your throat or mouth. Heartburn symptoms might get worse after a heavy lunch or when you try to sleep.
Generally, heartburn symptoms can be treated at home. But, if you are experiencing severe discomfort, then it is recommended to consult a doctor.
Heartburn is a common condition faced by many. But, having frequent and severe heartburn can be an indication of having a chronic acid reflux condition known as GERD.
What Causes Heartburn?
Heartburn typically occurs when contents from the stomach move back into the esophagus. The esophagus is a tube that carries the food and liquids from the mouth to the stomach. At the end of the esophagus, there is a valve, known as the esophageal sphincter. The esophageal sphincter makes sure once the food enters the stomach, it does not travel back to the esophagus (1).
In some individuals, the esophageal sphincter is weak and does not function well. The acidic contents from the stomach may leak back to your esophagus. This gastric juice can irritate the esophagus and causes you heartburn; this condition is called acid reflux.
Frequent Heartburn can cause pressure on the diaphragm and stomach, resulting in hiatal hernia. Hiatal hernia generally occurs when the upper part of the stomach forces through your diaphragm and into your chest cavity (2).
Many women complain of heartburn during pregnancy. This is due to the progesterone hormone that might lower the esophageal sphincter valve. This leads to the contents traveling back into the esophagus, causing irritation and heartburn (3).
Tobacco usage and the intake of high-fat foods may influence the function of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), causing it to relax from the stomach and enable the gastric acid into the esophagus.
Heartburn is also caused by your health conditions or lifestyle habits such as;
- Smoking
- Obesity
- High intake of caffeine, chocolate, or alcohol
- consumption of very spicy foods
- Sleeping immediately after eating
- Over usage of over-the-counter drugs
Heartburn is experienced occasionally by many people. If you are experiencing frequent heartburn, then it is a matter of concern. Heartburn occurring twice a week or more needs medical attention, leading to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Heartburn generally arises with other gastrointestinal problems like GERD and ulcers, which appear like sores on the lining of the esophagus and stomach.
You should consult your physician if you develop:
- Uneasiness while swallowing food or any liquid
- Bloody or dark stools
- Dyspnea or Shortness of breath
- Severe pain generates from your back to your shoulder
- Giddiness and not being steady or shivering
- Nausea
- Excessive sweating with pain
Most of us mistake heartburn symptoms as indicators of a heart attack. Heartburn is not linked with heart attack, but symptoms can be similar.
Symptoms of a heart attack include;
- Acute or severe chest pain
- Breathing difficulties
- Severe pain in jaws and shoulders
How to Treat Heartburn?
If you are experiencing frequent heartburn, numerous home remedies can help you to relieve the symptoms. Changes in your lifestyle can also help you to improve the heartburn symptoms.
Specific lifestyle changes improve your health, promote weight loss, and help to reduce symptoms of heartburn:
- Avoid sleeping immediately after having meals
- Avoid using tobacco products
- Avoid alcohol
- Consume fewer chocolates
- Avoid consumption of carbonated drinks
These acidic foods can worsen your symptoms of heartburn; hence should be avoided.
- Citric fruits like lemon, orange, and grape
- Tomatoes
- Caffeinated drinks like coffee and tea
- peppermint
- Junk foods like chips, fries
If these lifestyle changes are not benefiting, then consult your doctor. Discuss your symptoms and frequency of heartburn; this will help your doctor to analyze and advise medication.
Your doctor may advise these tests:
Abdomen X-ray and Abdominal scan
An x-ray or scan analysis to check if there is any inflammation within the esophagus is done. (4).
An Endoscopy
Gastroenterologists insert a flexible tube with a fiberoptic camera to check the infection on the lining of the esophagus. If there are any inflammations or ulcers, they can be detected easily. This method is also used to obtain biopsies or small tissues to look for cancerous cells (4).
Gastric Juice pH Analysis
If the standard treatment does not work, and the symptoms are atypical, the measurement of acid from within the esophagus can help diagnose (4). Your physician will suggest you the treatment options to reduce and cure your symptoms based on your diagnosis.
Antacids, H2 receptor antagonists are the drugs generally advised to reduce the symptoms of heartburn, which occur occasionally. These medicines help to reduce stomach acid production, and proton inhibitors block acid production. Standard medicine recommended for such condition is:
- Esomeprazole (Nexium)
- Lansoprazole (Prevacid)
- Omeprazole (Prilosec, Zegerid)
- Pantoprazole (Protonix)
- Rabeprazole (Aciphex)
- Dexlansoprazole (Dexilant)
Even though these drugs are helpful, they do have adverse reactions. An antacid may result in constipation or diarrhea. Consult your doctor before taking any antacids, asking them if there are side effects or any drug interactions.
What are the Risks Linked to Heartburn?
Generally, heartburn is not a matter of concern because, in some people, it lasts a few minutes and, in some cases, an hour also. If you notice the symptoms frequently, then you must consider consulting a doctor.
If not appropriately treated, heartburn can lead to a condition called Barrett’s esophagus or esophagitis. Barrett’s esophagus is a condition where the esophagus’s inflammation changes its lining epithelium, which might increase the risk of esophageal cancer (4).
Heartburn, in the long term, can affect your lifestyle. It is recommended to consult a physician and determine the severity of heartburn if you are experiencing it frequently. If neglected, it may lead to several health issues and affect your daily life, limiting your activities.
These tips can help you to prevent heartburn:
- Avoid citric foods on the empty stomach
- Avoid smoking and alcohol
- Avoid late-night consumption of junk food and spicy food
- Add ginger to your daily diet
- Do not go to bed immediately after your meals
- Over-the-counter drugs should be taken 30 mins before the food
- Eating small meals more frequently helps in relaxed digestion
- Keep yourself hydrated, drink more water and fruit juices like watermelon
- Avoid drinking caffeinated drinks, do not consume caffeine drinks before bedtime
Summary
Heartburn is a burning feeling in the esophagus. Heartburn can be treated at home with home remedies. Frequent symptoms of heartburn would lead to GERD. It is estimated that 20% of the population is affected by GERD.
Changing your lifestyle, avoiding certain foods, tobacco, and alcohol, reducing the intake of anti-inflammatory medicines will help you to reduce heartburn symptoms. Take medicine for heartburn only when the doctor prescribes you. Do not neglect the symptoms of heartburn and get treated to relieve the symptoms.