HEARTBURN: What You Don't Know



 

     Heartburn is a burning sensation in the chest, behind the breastbone. Heartburn pain is often worse when one is lying down or bending over. It is also known as acid indigestion. The pain also often at times may rise in the chest and radiate to the neck region, throat or angle of the jaw. Heartburn is commonly used interchangeably with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) rather than just to describe a burning in one's chest.

CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS:

     Acid indigestion occurs when stomach acid backs up into the oesophagus. Normally, it can be observed that when food is ingested, the lower oesophageal sphincter (a circular band of muscle around the bottom part of the oesophagus) relaxes in order to allow food to flow into the stomach after which it closes again. However, if the lower oesophageal sphincter relaxes abnormally or weakens, stomach acid can flow back up into the oesophagus, causing heartburn.

     Heartburn can happen to any individual irrespective of age or sex. Mostly, it occurs in adults more than young children. This is because adults mainly ingest solid and spicy food which may not really digest well enough due to the ageing of their systems. Young ones on the other hand have systems which can still digest their food intake with ease.

     The major symptom of Heartburn is a burning sensation in the chest which occurs after a meal and may occur at night. This pain may be worse while lying down or bending over.  



 

 

 

REMEDIES:

     Actually, you can make some changes in order to have a heartburn relief. Some of the changes are;

1. MAINTAINING A HEALTHY WEIGHT: Excess pounds put pressure on the abdomen. This pushes up the stomach causing acid to move up back to the oesophagus.

2. AVOIDING TIGHT-FITTING CLOTHING: Clothes that fit tightly around the waist applies pressure on the abdomen and lowers the oesophageal sphincter which then causes stomach acid to flow back into the oesophagus.

3. AVOIDING FOODS THAT TRIGGER HEARTBURN: Some foods that trigger heartburn include; fatty foods, fried foods, tomato sauce, alcohol, pepper, chocolate, garlic mint, onion and caffeine. Everyone is unique to his/her specific triggers.

4. EATING SMALLERR QUANTITY OF MEALS: Overeating should be avoided in order to avoid heartburn.

5. LYING DOWN IMMEDIATELY AFTER A MEAL SHOULD BE AVOIDED.

6. ABSTINENCE FROM SMOKING: So many people will wonder how smoking is related to acid indigestion. Smoking actually decreases the oesophageal sphincter's ability to function properly.

 

     Conclusively, Heartburn is common and should not be a cause of alarm when it occurs. Most people can manage the discomfort coupled with some medications. But frequent occurrence could be a symptom of a disease and therefore requires a doctor's attention.

 

CREDIT:wikipedia.org