Heartburn is often described as a fire in the chest, or feeling like the heart is burning. Heartburn is typically common, and while many people suffer from occasional heartburn, it generally isn’t a great medical concern, just uncomfortable. However, heartburn should not occur more than twice per week. While some people live with daily heartburn, this can lead to esophagus damage.
Heartburn can be incredibly painful and is completely recognizable when it happens. Common symptoms include a feeling as though the chest is on fire, increased chest pain when lying down, coughing, wheezing, sore throat, asthma attacks, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, the regurgitation of food, or burping or bringing up a sour tasting liquid. Some patients who experience heartburn for the first time mistakenly believe they are suffering from a heart attack.
The esophagus is the long tube that allows food the enter the stomach, and the lower half is responsible for relaxing enough to allow the food the flow down while a valve is then supposed to close off the esophagus when not needed. If this valve becomes weak or relaxes too much, there is a sudden flow of digestive juices permitted back up into the esophagus. This action is known as acid reflux and can cause severe irritation of the lining of the esophagus.
Foods can trigger worsening heartburn and add to the irritated esophagus. Foods that are spicy, high in fats, contain caffeine, chocolate, acids, mint, onions, tomato sauce, or carbonated beverages tend to aggravate heartburn. Eating meals that are large or over eating can also aggravate heartburn, as can lying down soon after eating. Alcohol has been known to encourage heartburn. Some medications such as calcium channel blockers, sedatives, some narcotic pain relievers, and tranquilizers can cause heartburn. Patients who experience smoking cessation often report a significant decrease in their occurrence of heartburn.
Pregnancy, obesity, peptic ulcers, hiatal hernias, asthma, diabetes, connective tissue disorders, and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome are risk factors for heartburn. Not all of these risk factors are controllable, although the ones that are should be managed to the best ability of the patient to help manage heartburn as well as other health issues.
Heartburn is simple to diagnose. Patient complaints are typically enough for a physician to diagnose heartburn. Ascertaining how often and how severe the heartburn tends to be can help the physician determine if over the counter medications or a prescription medication is best suited for that patient’s particular heartburn. If there are risk factors and dietary habits which can be altered, this is always the first option.
Tests can help determine if there is any damage to the esophagus or if there are any obstructive or deformity issues that is creating the heartburn. Barium x-rays, endoscopy, ambulatory acid probe test, and esophageal impedance test may be required in determining how to best assist the patient. These tests allow a physician to see in detail the structure of the digestive tract, take measurements of the acid returning into the patient’s esophagus, as well as to do a visual examination of the esophagus.
Serious untreated heartburn can eventually lead to complications other than an irritated esophagus. Complications can include narrowing of the esophagus or ulcers of the esophagus, as well as a cellular change of the esophagus that significantly increases the chances of esophageal cancer.
Most patients begin with over the counter medications with their first case of heartburn. Some over the counter medications treat the heartburn after it has begun, such as antacids, while others are aimed at decreasing the stomach acid before a meal, such as proton pump inhibitors. Some patients require stronger medications such as prescription strength medicines to help control the acid in the stomach from returning through the esophagus. In some severe cases, surgical procedures may be necessary.
Those who develop pneumonia or bronchitis due to acid reflux, esophagitis especially that bleeds, narrowing of the esophagus, signs of precancerous conditions, and those with large hiatal hernias are likely to require surgery to repair the esophagus if possible and alleviate the heartburn and acid reflux.
Heartburn can be extremely uncomfortable. If a patient is experiencing heartburn several days per week and has attempted to lose weight, change their diet, and present precautions in their eating and post-eating habits, they should be encouraged to see their physician for an evaluation.
Heartburn videos
PreOp® Hernia Hiatal Laparoscopic Surgery
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Heartburn and Acid Reflux
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http://www.youtube.com/v/ansL5voUXA4
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Treating Heartburn (Heartburn #3)
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http://www.youtube.com/v/PHnjHClgaXc
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Understanding Heartburn (Heartburn #1)
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http://www.youtube.com/v/Kn1dt8TG1vM
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Stop Prevent Heartburn Naturopathic Digestive Solution
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http://www.youtube.com/v/MEqfPQveyT8
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Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Video Consultation #1 of 4
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http://www.youtube.com/v/6hFeqTX9e3Y
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Acid-Disorder-Reflux 08opale
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http://www.youtube.com/v/I4vOlg5aWUs
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Find out more by viewing the Human Anatomy page:
Digestive system
Endocrine system
Medication commonly used for these disease:
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Pepcid, generically know as famotidine prescription strength tablets, is used for short-term treatment and prevention of ulcers, gastreosphageal reflux disease (GERD) and pathological hypersecretory conditions. Pepcid is a member of the family of medicine more...
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Ranitidine HCL, which is also prescribed as Zantac, is commonly used to decrease acid in the stomach which leads to indigestion, heartburn, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Ranitidine is a member of the family of medications known as histamine 2 block more...
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Maxolon is a brand name for the drug metoclopramide. It is given in tablets or injections and is used to help alleviate the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease, including heartburn, as well as nausea and vomiting. It has also sometimes been used more...
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Famotidine belongs to a group of H2 blockers that inhibits the production of acid in the stomach, and is commonly used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease and peptic ulcer disease. This drug is also given to surgery patients prior to their operation more...
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People with gastrointestinal problems can now find relief with the development of cisapride. The effective actions of the medication have shown to be quite useful for many for years to come. It does have a number of reactions and effects that should also more...
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Zantac is a brand name for the generic drug ranitidine. It is used to treat and prevent heartburn, to heal erosive esophagitis and then to maintain the healed condition, to treat GERD—gastroesophageal refleux disease, for the short-term treatment and mai more...
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