A burning sensation behind the sternum or breast bone, heartburn is usually caused by acid from the stomach leaking up into the esophagus. While the lining of the stomach is made to handle the acidic digestive juices, the esophagus is not. Persistent heart burn can eventually lead to irritation and inflammatory damage to the esophageal lining.
Causes of Heart Burn
An actacid will temporarily alleviate pain by absorbing excess acid, but will also only mask the symptoms of an underlying problem. Heart burn increases with age as well as weight. Acidity is also linked to certain medications, such as Aspirin and anti-inflammatory medications. Minimize the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication such as aspirin, which can damage the mucous lining of the stomach. When taking medications such as aspirin, drink a few sips of water, before washing down the medication with plenty of water.
Treatment of Acid Reflux Begins With Prevention
- Maintain your weight: Obesity and excess weight cause slack muscles and pressure on the stomach. Skipping breakfast or eating a small breakfast can cause overeating in the evening, consequently overworking the digestive system. Exercise to tone stomach muscles and battle the stomach bulge: take a walk after dinner to allow gravity to help keep acids in the stomach.
- Avoid going to bed or lying down after a meal: This prevents backsplash of stomach acids into the esophagus. Have meals at least two hours before bedtime. If you must lay down, use pillows to prop up your upper body.
- Eat more frequent, smaller meals: It is much healthier to eat more frequent and smaller meals and make dinner the lightest meal of the day. Avoid overeating, especially on an empty stomach. Control meal portion sizes and avoid being stuffed. Excess food can back flow into the esophagus and cause unpleasant belching and painful heartburn.
- Avoid trigger foods: Be receptive to the body and avoid foods that make symptoms worse. Rich, fat-laden and greasy foods are often major culprits in acid reflux and other digestive problems. Keep rich desserts and greasy foods such as fried chicken, samosas, chips, burgers and pizza for special occasions. The best way to know exactly where the excess pounds are coming from and what causes your digestive ailments is to write down what is eaten everyday. Other culprits include caffeine in food and drinks such as coffee, sodas and even chocolate. Also avoid high-acid foods such as citrus fruits and juices and spicy foods.
- Quit smoking completely: Smoking triggers a food response in the brain and the body begins to produce gastric acid because it thinks it will be digesting food.
When to See a Doctor for Heart Burn
Even if you maintain your weight and don’t smoke, acidity can strike from time to time. If preventive strategies don’t work, then medications prescribed by a physician can help reduce stomach acid output.
Individuals with frequent bouts of heartburn which is also referred to acid reflux or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), should consult a doctor. Dyspepsia, another type of acidity, is a pain or discomfort in the upper or middle part of the stomach often caused by excess production of stomach acid which may erode the stomach’s own lining causing an ulcer.
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