Heart Burn is a very misleading description because it is
a medical condition of gastro-intestinal system & has nothing to do with
heart, though some of the symptoms are similar to those of heart disease.
Heartburn typically involves a "hot or burning feeling rising up from the
centre of the abdomen area into the chest under breastbone or sternum. The pain
often intensifies as you bend over or lie down.
Foods
We Consume
When you eat, food goes from mouth down the esophagus
into your stomach. In between the esophagus & the stomach is an opening
called lower esophageal sphincter. When a meal is eaten, this muscular valve
normally closes quickly to prevent stomach acids from backing up into the
esophagus. Heartburn arises when this valve relaxes abnormally & highly
acidic contents of stomach re-enter esophagus & cause burning &
inflammation of sensitive esophageal tissues.
The exact cause of Gastro Esophageal Re-flux Disease
(GERD) is not known but there are certain pointers which exacerbate heart burn.
The dietary triggers prompting symptoms of acid re-flux include tomato products,
alcohol, citrus, chocolate, peppermint, black pepper, soda, coffee &
caffeinated products & fatty or spicy foods which are more likely to irritate
lower esophageal sphincter & make heartburn worse. Being overweight, eating
big meals, wearing clothes that are tight around waist, also raise your risk
for heartburn as do certain medications. Stress and lack of sleep can increase
acid production & cause heartburn. And smoking, which relaxes lower
esophageal sphincter & stimulates stomach acid, is a major contributor for
acid re-flux.
Associate
GERD Triggers
Hiatal hernia increases chances of GERD due to mechanical
& motility factors. High blood calcium levels which increase acidity can
also trigger re-flux. Gallstones which can obstruct flow of bile into duodenum
may affect neutralization of gastric acids & may subsequently lead to acid
re-flux.
Treatments for GERD include some life-style changes,
medications & in very severe cases, surgery. The control of heart burn
varies from individual to individual, but some common recommendations would
include –
·
Avoid coffee of any type (including
decaffeinated), tomatoes & tomato products, citrus fruits & juices,
chocolate, mints, caffeinated beverages, alcoholic drinks & fatty foods
·
Do not lie down for at least 3 hours after
eating a meal
·
Stop smoking
·
Lose weight if you are overweight & avoid
wearing tight fitting garments
·
Use brick blocks to elevate the head of bed
between 4 & 6 inches or use of a firm wedge to elevate your trunk &
head can be substituted to prevent the acid re-flux
Over the counter medicines like antacids relieve mild or
occasional heart burn. More frequent episodes need to be taken care of by
seeing a gastroenterologist. When drugs & lifestyle changes aren't enough, surgery
for GERD may be needed as treatment.
