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| You are in>Health Channels>Common
Ailments>Heartburn |
| Heartburn |
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What is it?
It is also called Gastro-esophageal reflux (GER). It is the regurgitation (a back-flow) of
acidic stomach juices into the oesophagus (the tube leading from throat down to stomach),
causing pain and burning sensation in the upper abdomen, throat or chest. GER is probably
the most common cause of attacks of indigestion. Attacks of GER are usually brief and
relatively mild. back to top |
Who is affected?
Generally people, who are obese, have a high fat diet and those drinking too much coffee
and alcohol and who smoke are at a greater risk. back to top |
What are the symptoms?
Most of the symptoms of heartburn are usually most noticeable immediately after eating a
large meal or when bending over.These include:
- Burning pain or discomfort in the chest
- Acidic taste in the mouth due to the back flow of the acidic fluid of the stomach.
- Persistent cough
- Belching
- Blood in the vomit or faeces
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What are the causes?
Normally, constrictive pressure in the lower oesophageal sphincter prevents stomach acid
from flowing into the oesophagus. If this sphincter is weak, stomach acid can flow back
into the oesophagus. The following conditions increase your likelihood of experiencing
heartburn:
- Diet and drugs that decrease lower oesophageal sphincter pressure.
- Hiatus hernia (especially in children).
- Any condition or position that increases abdominal pressure.
- Heartburn may worsen with vigorous exercise, bending, or lying down, and may be relieved
by antacids or sitting upright.
- Sometimes heartburn is accompanied by painful swallowing followed by a dull chest ache.
- Occasionally, throat pain and spasms develop. If they become chronic, they may mimic
symptoms of angina in the neck, jaws, and arms.
- Surgery on the pylorus (the valve at the bottom of the stomach).
- A hospital stay of 4 or 5 days with tubes running through the nose to the stomach.
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What are the complications?
If GER persist for several years, it can cause scarring of the oesophagus which may
eventually cause a stricture (narrowing). A stricture makes swallowing difficult and may
lead to loss of weight.
Chronic GER may lead to a condition called Barrett's Oesophagus, in which part of the
oesophageal lining is replaced by stomach lining. Those suffering from Barrett's
Oesophagus are at an increased risk of developing cancer of the oesophagus. back to top |
What can I do?
Take antacids to help neutralise stomach acids
- Avoid alcohol, colas and coffee.
- Stop smoking.
- Lose excess weight.
- Eat smaller amounts of food and do not eat late at night.
- After eating, do not exercise or lie down.
- Raise the head of your bed or sleep on extra pillows so that your head is higher than
your feet at night.
- Often, simply staying upright and taking antacids is enough to resolve mild cases of
heartburn.
- Consult a doctor who may suggest barium swallow X-ray and prescribe further medicines.
The doctor may prescribe drugs to strengthen the lower oesophageal sphincter, neutralise
stomach acid, and reduce abdominal pressure.
- If you have recently developed pain in the centre of your chest that seems unrelated to
eating or drinking, you should immediately seek medical help because angina (pain in the
chest which is a far more serious condition) is sometimes mistaken for heartburn.
- Surgery may be necessary for serious, recurrent conditions such as bleeding,
obstruction, severe pain, perforation, incompetent oesophageal sphincter, or hiatus hernia
caused by the backup.
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