Heart Burn

Heartburn, also called acid indigestion; pyrosis; stomach acid or acid stomach, is described as a burning chest pain that begins behind the breastbone and moves upward to the neck and throat. Most people suffer from heartburn at one time or another. This condition may last as long as two to three hours and usually occurs, or is worse, after eating. Smoking, caffeine and alcohol may increase the level of acid in the stomach, causing even more heartburn. Heartburn pain can also be mistaken for a heart attack or heart disease. But, there are major differences. Usually heartburn pain is not associated with any physical activity, while exercise can increase the pain resulting from heart disease or the onset of a heart attack and rest may temporarily relieve the pain. Chest pain from hiatus hernia and/or esophageal spasms may be extremely difficult to distinguish from chest pain of cardiac origin. The symptoms of pain spreading from below the sternum (breastbone) to the neck, jaw, and arms can mimic the symptoms of coronary artery disease. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is best to immediately seek medical care to evaluate your problem. Heartburn affects 60 million Americans every month and 15 million people have heartburn every single day.

• Vomiting of black, coffee ground-like, or bloody material. 
• The stools are black in color (like tar)
• The problem becomes frequent or is prolonged.

Quit Smoking-After a meal, when the stomach is full, smoking increases the chances of suffering from heartburn.
Lose those extra pounds-Fat takes longer to digest than anything else, which gives acid even more time to head back up before digestion is complete. Plan meals around veggies and lean cuts of meat and fish, and avoid foods like cheeseburgers and fries.
Sensible diet during pregnancy- it is common for pregnant women to suffer from heartburn. Eating sensibly and keeping the weight increase within the recommended limits can keep heartburn kept in check.
Avoid bending forward (posture)- Avoid bending from the waist or stooping just after meals. Instead, try and bend from the knees, keeping the back straight. Meals are better taken while sitting on an upright chair rather than slumped in front of the television.
Sleeping- Let the evening meal digest well before you going to bed. Raising the head of the bed on blocks by 6 inches can also reduce nighttime symptoms. Gravity helps to keep the acid in the stomach where it should be. Sleeping on their left side helps some people
Reduce citrus intake-Another common cause of heartburn for many people is citrus fruits (such as oranges or grapefruit) and tomatoes. These should be reduced.

The normal causes of heartburn are:

Gastro esophageal reflux disease-The typical cause of heartburn is when acid from the stomach backs up into the esophagus. The Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES), a muscle located at the bottom of the esophagus, opens to let food in and closes to keep it in the stomach. When this muscle relaxes too often or for too long, acid refluxes back into the esophagus, causing heartburn.

Esophageal spasm- Due to the irregular contractions of the muscles in the esophagus, the spasms do not propel food effectively to the stomach thus leading to heartburn.

Factors that can lead to heartburn are:

There are several causes for getting heartburn. Eating foods that are heavily spiced can lead to heartburn. Also eating food that are greasy and high in fat can be a factor due to more acid being produced. Going long periods without food can cause heartburn due to the stomach producing acid that is not needed. Normally a person can tell when they get this kind of heartburn and simply eating will cure it. Eating any kind of food fast does not give the stomach much time to take care of the food and could also produce an abundance of acid.

• Eat fresh fruits with a high enzyme content such as fresh papaya and pineapple, which help boost digestion. 
• Drink water instead of milk. Water neutralizes acid more than milk. 
• Don’t eat fried foods, fatty foods, citrus fruits, coffee, alcohol, spicy foods, chocolate and tomato-based foods. 
• Avoid onions although certain varieties of onion such as the walla and maui are milder. 
• Rich dairy products, buttered popcorn and carbonated beverages also cause heartburns.

• Don’t use sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) as a home remedy. It can upset the acid/alkaline balance of the body and create a dangerous situation.
• Antacids can be effective but can contain undesirable ingredients not suitable for people with heart disease or high blood pressure. There is also thought that continued use of antacids can actually cause further stomach acid secretion.
• Eat slowly, chew thoroughly and relax during mealtime. 
• Calcium carbonate contains Tums. It can be purchased as a powder and can function as an antacid.
• Don’t smoke. Nicotine adversely affects the tone of the esophageal sphincter muscle and can directly contribute to heartburn. 
• Be careful while taking other medication and make sure that they are not a cause of your heartburn.
  
  

Mind body consideration is very important for heartburn. This includes paying special attention to the diet. Other times a person could avoid eating heavy meals at night and not snacking before bed. Elevating the bed one to two inches could also reduce the risk of acid rising. Taking over the counter antacids is also a very common cure. Steering clear of caffeine right before bedtime or before lying down is a good idea and cutting caffeine intake down.