Information for Heartburn Sufferers

Picture a greasy diner that serves the most ghastly array of comfort food possible. Picture yourself eating chili, hot dogs with onions, greasy cheese fries, or a triple decker hamburger slathered with mayonnaise, onions, and cheese. Now picture yourself with a burning pain in your chest. Do you need to call the ambulance? Are you having a heart attack? Are you taking your last breath? Is your life flashing before your eyes? At least you had a great last meal. Now wait a minute. The intense pain might just be heartburn. Do you know the difference? You should. It could save your life.

If you've ever suffered from heartburn, then you know how uncomfortable it can be. This condition occurs when the LES, or lower esophageal sphincter, does not close as it should. Because of this, the contents of the stomach come up into the esophagus. This is what causes the discomfort that you feel. There are a variety of symptoms you may experience.

There may be a burning sensation in the chest, which may spread upwards to the neck. Your chest may hurt when you lie down. In addition, you may experience hot, bitter acid coming up into the throat. Sometimes, these symptoms can be mistaken for a heart attack. If you do experience unexplained chest pain, it's prudent to seek medical attention just to be on the safe side. Your doctor can determine whether or not your pain and discomfort is due to indigestion or a more serious problem.

Now that you know what heartburn, or acid reflux is and what it feels like, let's look at the different reasons why it happens. Diet can play a large role. Some people experience discomfort after eating spicy or acidic foods. Certain other foods can aggravate the problem, including caffeinated beverages, tomatoes, chocolate, alcohol, and fried foods, to name a few. Others experience the problem because the lower esophageal sphincter, or LES, lacks proper muscle tone. Another cause is dysfunction with the operation of the esophagus. Yet another cause can be certain prescription medications.

There are several different ways to treat the causes and symptoms of this problem. Watching what you eat is one of the most simple ways to prevent the discomfort of acid reflux. Eating smaller, more frequent meals as opposed to three large ones can often help as well. 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. 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 chronic conditions, so be sure to ask about them.

Heartburn doesn't have to ruin your life. Your doctor can help you devise a plan that may include lifestyle changes, dietary modifications and medications to alleviate your uncomfortable symptoms. 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.

Copyright 2006 Jim Sterling - All Rights Reserved

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