HeartburnSite.com – Page 2 – Heartburn and Acid Reflux Help

Common Heartburn Symptoms Everyone Gets

Many people throughout the world suffer from heartburn. Not only is it annoying, but it can also cause a number of medical issues. To get a diagnosis and stop heartburn from affecting you, you ought to know the symptoms. Here are some of the most common heartburn symptoms.

A burning feeling in the chest is perhaps the most common symptom of heartburn. This is caused from the stomach acid rising from the stomach into your esophagus. It commonly occurs after consuming a meal and can last anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours.

You may feel burning in your throat if you have heartburn. The burning sensation is caused by irritation from the acid rising through the esophagus into the throat. Swallowing may cause the pain to become more intense.

If you have heartburn, you may experience a bitter taste in your mouth. When the acid comes up through the esophagus and reaches the throat, this is when the taste occurs. The taste is often describes as being sour and bitter.

Troubles with swallowing are common for those who have heartburn. This is because food does not properly pass through the esophagus into the stomach. You may feel as though something is stuck in your throat or that you are shocking.

You should, however, see a doctor if you experience this symptom often, as it could be a sign of something worse than heartburn.

Coughing could be an issue if you have heartburn. Many assume they have or are developing a cold when the cough. However, it could be backed up acid trying to get out of the throat. Studies have shown that 41% of cases of chronic cough in people who do not smoke are because of heartburn and GERD.

Symptoms similar to asthma such as difficulty breathing and wheezing can happen if you have heartburn. When excess acid gets into esophagus and finds it way into the lungs, it can make it hard to breathe.

You may feel as though your throat is closing and you try to gasp for air. Since this is a very serious symptom, your doctor may prescribe you a breathing medication.

Symptoms of heartburn are quite tough to identify in children and infants. These symptoms may vary from the typical adult symptoms. In children, it usually exhibits itself with repeated vomiting, coughing, effortless spitting up, as well as other respiratory problems.

Inconsolable crying, refusing food, failure to increase or gain adequate weight, and bad breath are also some of the common symptoms that appear in children. No single symptom is universal to all children that suffer from heartburn.

Babies have immature digestive tract and this is normally the cause, but most infants will stop having acid reflux before they reach their first birthday. However, some will not outgrow acid reflux and will continue to experience it even in their teenage years.

You have just been provided with the most common symptoms of heartburn. Though many do not believe it, heartburn can cause other health problems. If you have these symptoms and think you may have heartburn, see your doctor.

Treatments for Heartburn During Pregnancy

By Mikael G.J.

One of the most joyous occasions in life is the expectation of having a new child. For the pregnant woman, there are a large number of changes that occur in her body. The new life causes hormonal and other alterations that can sometimes be difficult to cope with.

One of the most troublesome of these is heartburn. Even women who have never experienced it before may find that pregnancy causes incredible heartburn. While there are ways to treat it, the options for a pregnant woman are limited.

Every person has a lower esophageal sphincter, which is a valve between the esophagus and the stomach. It is located just below the rib cage and slightly off center. It opens each time a person swallows their food and whenever an individual needs to belch.

When functioning normally, it provides a barrier between the stomach and the upper portion of the digestive system. There are, however, a number of things that can interfere with proper functioning. One of the temporary causes of this is pregnancy. For a woman experiencing heartburn for the first time during pregnancy, it can be alarming.

Though the term heartburn sounds like it relates to the heart, it really just refers to stomach acid pushing past the lower esophageal sphincter or LES causing a burning sensation in the throat.

The symptoms can be similar to heart issues, which is the reason for the name. Anyone experiencing heartburn should confirm with a doctor that this is the cause of their discomfort and not a more serious heart related issue.

There are several reasons that the LES may not be functioning properly. If it does not close completely, small amounts of stomach acid leech into the esophagus.

While over indulgence and certain foods can trigger this, pregnancy is one of the causes that can not be controlled. The reason that pregnant women suffer from heartburn is that the fetus puts pressure on the entire abdominal area. The pressure on the stomach can push food and digestive acids upward.

There are certain things that a woman can do to minimize her heartburn during pregnancy. For one, it is a good idea to monitor diet.

Some foods are triggers for heartburn. Meals that contain a great deal of fat are more likely to trigger symptoms than those comprised of healthier foods.

However, there are still many healthy selections that can relax the LES and increase the risk of heartburn. This includes citrus fruits, tomatoes, and chocolate. While all of these are fine in moderate consumption, a pregnant woman suffering from heartburn may want to find alternatives that are not triggers.

There are other causes that should be avoided by pregnant women anyway. This includes alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking.

If you are pregnant and dependent upon either of these substances, you need to discuss it with your physician. They will be able to assist you with getting rid of the habit while protecting your unborn child. Your overall level of health will be improved, including your heartburn.

If you are experiencing heartburn, you want to make certain that anything you take for it is safe for your unborn child. Many medications that are available are not.

Therefore, you need to find natural remedies that will help you. One of them is fresh ginger. You can purchase it at virtually any produce department. Simply cut a small piece off and eat it. If you like, you can grate it and put on your meal. It will decrease the severity of your symptoms.

There are so many joys associated with pregnancy. However, heartburn is not one of them. You need to find ways to minimize the effects it has on you while pregnant.

Paying attention to the foods you consume will prove beneficial. If you find that certain meals trigger it more, eliminate them from your diet.

Pregnancy lasts for a short period of time. Do everything that you can to take care of yourself and your unborn child. Remember that no matter how bad your symptoms, the heartburn will eventually pass.

Is Heartburn Different From Acid Reflux?

By Mikael G.J.

When you get that burning sensation in your esophagus, do you know what is causing it? You need to know exactly what your condition is before you can treat it, but acid reflux and heartburn have many of the same symptoms. The important differences lie in how often the discomfort occurs.

The technical cause for heartburn is when stomach acid migrates up from the stomach, and the most common reasons that people experience it include eating too much, tight clothing and advancing pregnancy.

All of these circumstances constrict the stomach, resulting in some stomach acid rising into the esophagus and the uncomfortable, burning sensation that follows.

The normal function of the esophagus is to carry food that has been chewed and swallowed to the stomach. Food enters the stomach by passing through an esophageal sphincter muscle at the lower end of the esophagus, and the muscle should then close so the food stays in the stomach.

If this lower esophageal sphincter muscle does not function properly, too much pressure on the stomach can force acid back through the valve. This defective valve is why some people experience heartburn more more frequently than others. Certain studies found a connection between stress and heartburn or acid reflux.

The technical term for acid reflux is gastrointestinal reflux disease, and is more commonly referred to as GERD. This condition is more serious than the occasional heartburn some people have since it occurs on a more regular basis, and at least once or twice in a week. Also, over-the-counter medication such as antacids are not effective in relieving the discomfort.

Frequent bouts of GERD can damage the esophageal lining if the condition is not treated, and this can lead to ulcers, bleeding, scar tissue and even esophageal cancer. The most obvious difference between heartburn and GERD is how often the burning sensation occurs.

If someone is suffering from GERD, it is essential that they begin proper treatment promptly. A healthcare provider should be consulted if heartburn is a problem more than two times a week on average.

Proper treatment of GERD includes prescription medications and lifestyle modifications. Substantial weight loss which can be accomplished through diet changes to include foods that are less rich and lower in fat.

Smokers should also quit smoking, and if GERD continues to be a problem, surgery is sometimes necessary to strengthen the lower esophageal sphincter muscle.

The Causes Of GERD Are Not What You Think

By Mikael G.J.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition that is highly common in the United States. When one has this condition, the valve separating the esophagus from the stomach allows acid into the unprotected esophagus, often causing an unpleasant sensation.

Between 10-20% of people experience weekly symptoms, and $13 billion in prescription pharmaceuticals were spent treating this condition. The identification of the causes of GERD is a matter of some controversy right now which has significant implications in how the disease is treated.

Most people believe that GERD is caused by too much stomach acid. The vast majority of medicines that are given to people to treat GERD lower stomach acid.

While these are effective, there is a lot of evidence that the exact opposite scenario is true. Too little stomach acid could be causing GERD, and treating it with most prescription pharmaceuticals could make the condition worse in the long run.

The first thing someone should notice with regards to the too much stomach acid hypothesis is that most people experience dramatic drops in stomach acid when they age.

As a result, one would expect that GERD would become less and less of a problem if the high stomach acid cause hypothesis were correct. However, the exact opposite is observed. The incidence of GERD actually increases as one ages.

Why are young people not getting GERD in huge numbers given their large amounts of stomach acid? The main reason is that the valve separating the stomach from the esophagus normally works.

If it fails at all, then it does not matter if you have a little stomach acid or a lot. It is going to cause a problem. The reason why is the esophagus just is not protected against the corrosive effects of the acid.

This fact also explains why many people get systemic relief from pharmaceuticals. By dramatically decreasing the stomach acid that is flowing into the esophagus, one will get less symptoms. However, if the valve is not functioning well, there will always be small amounts of acid corroding the esophagus.

Recent evidence indicates that even silent GERD, that is when symptoms are not noticed, is dangerous and can even lead to a much greater risk of esophageal cancer.

The underlying dysfunction of the valve is believed to result from the unnatural expansion of pressure in the stomach, which pushes stomach juices out of the valve.

There appear to be two things that cause this increase in pressure. The first is an overgrowth of bacteria in the gut, and the second is the accumulation of improperly digested carbohydrates.

Both of these underlying issues actually can be the result of lower stomach acids. Bacteria cannot survive well in the stomach when the pH drops below 3. If one weakens the acid of the stomach, then this bacteria will overgrow causing increased stomach pressure.

The presence of undigested carbohydrates also helps to feed such bacteria. The reason that the carbohydrates are undigested also largely relates to the fact that the stomach acid is not powerful enough to quickly reduce them.

As a result, when people consume medicines such as proton pump inhibitors, they could be temporarily relieving their GERD symptoms while weakening their stomach acid, which is only making the underlying problem worse.

In contrast, many physicians have found that providing hydrochloric acid supplementation to boost the acid content of the stomach actually resolves the disease.

Thus, understanding the causes of GERD has very important implications towards changing our current treatment paradigm. If you currently suffer from GERD, you should seriously consider going off the prescription medications and taking actions to increase the acid content of your stomach.

Is There A Connection With Stress And Heartburn

By Mikael G.J.

Did you know that work-related stress or a hectic lifestyle are common reasons for heartburn? There are no scientific studies proving the connection between stress and heartburn but people who suffer from heartburn know how stress can trigger this condition.

Adopting a routine and taking the time to eat, exercise and even, meditate triggers the release of endorphins in our system. These chemicals make us feel good and actually help with digestion. The presence of endorphins in our system makes us less likely to feel stressed, even when we come across difficult situations.

Being sleep-deprived makes you more likely to feel stressed. If you do not get eight hours of sleep each night, you will be more likely to experience heartburn and other stress-related symptoms. Make some changes to your schedule so you can get enough sleep and don’t hesitate to take naps if you need to.

Learn to relax, for instance, by testing different meditation techniques. Whenever you experience stress, take a break from what you are doing. You could do some breathing exercises or envision a calm place where you would rather be. Listening to relaxation music is another good way of taking a break.

Having a hectic lifestyle can keep you from making the right nutritional choices. You will be more likely to eat lunch at a fast food restaurant if you do not take a full hour for lunch. Try preparing healthy lunches at home to avoid fulls too rich in fat that could upset your stomach.

Stay away from alcohol, caffeine and tobacco. These substances can trigger heartburn and make you feel more stressed. Having a cigarette or a glass of wine can help relieve your stress on the short term but these substances introduce toxins in your system, which will make you feel stressed on the long term.

If you suffer from heartburn on a regular basis, start a journal. Write down what you eat or what you do to find out what triggers your heartburn. You might have to completely avoid some foods or get rid of some bad habits that usually trigger heartburn. This can help you see if there is a relationship between stress and heartburn when it comes to you.

These tips should help you get rid of your heartburn problem. Generally speaking, adopting a healthier lifestyle should reduce the frequency and the severity of your heartburn symptoms. Do your best to adopt a regular schedule, exercise, relax and eat healthy foods and you should see a real improvement.