What is Heartburn?
Heartburn is the popular term for acid reflux and is a painful condition caused by excess stomach acid in the esophagus. Most sufferers get it after a meal or when they go to bed. It can affect all aspects of one’s life and can take the enjoyment out of life. It can also interfere with a good night’s rest.
Heartburn happens when acid from the stomach is pushed up into the esophagus. The esophagus has rings at the bottom which act like a sphincter, preventing acid from entering from the stomach. When the rings are too relaxed, the acid can get up inside the esophagus, irritating it.
It’s a good idea to take stock of what the causes of a particular case of heartburn are. It can be due to eating habits or to a disease or medical problem that keeps the reflux from coming back. Ulcers and hiatal hernias can be triggers for developing heartburn. Diagnosing these conditions require a doctor’s help. It’s better to act on the condition than to just let it go. Letting it go can result in irreparable damage to the esophagus or even cancer of the esophagus.
Heartburn can be for some an occasional thing—a flare up that happens when they eat a particular food. Some find that acidic or spicy foods trigger the condition and they must limit the amount which is consumed. Changes during pregnancy can result in heartburn. Many of these changes and symptoms will go away once the pregnancy is over.
People who have never had heartburn often wonder if they would know how to recognize it. To be honest, it’s fairly easy to know when you’re having heartburn. The severity varies from person to person and most people experience some kind of burning feeling in their chest, upper abdomen or throat.
The heartburn remedies you take to control or prevent the disease depends upon how severe the symptoms are and how often you get them. If it is a once a month thing, you may need only to just alter your dietary habits. Having it several times per week might mean you need to take prescription medications or have surgery.
Prescription and OTC (over-the-counter) medications are available for this condition. There are also lifestyle changes that need to be made in order to have full control over heartburn. Losing weight also helps. Heartburn is something nobody just has to live with. Just find the basis for the problem and take care of it in order to feel better.
