Learn How to Avoid Triggers for Heartburn

By Tracy Simons | Silver Cross Hospital

Over 60 million Americans get heartburn at least once a month. Some heartburn triggers are obvious: greasy fries, spicy salsa, or even stress. However the root cause of heartburn isn’t just food. If you have constant heartburn, it’s time to track down the real problem to avoid such discomfort.

Silver Cross Hospital is offering a lecture on why it’s important to find relief from chronic heartburn to prevent the acid reflux from escalating into a more serious health condition.

Dr. Ashish Shah, gastroenterologist, will present a free program on Healing Heartburn & Barrett’s Esophagus on Tuesday, February 23 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Silver Cross Hospital, Pavilion A, Conference Center, 1890 Silver Cross Blvd., New Lenox. Dr. Shah will discuss the latest endoscopic treatments to eliminate chronic heartburn and preventing Barrett’s Esophagus, which can lead to cancer. FREE. Register to attend at www.silvercross.org or call 1-888-660-HEAL (4325).

What Is Heartburn?

Despite its name, heartburn has nothing to do with the heart. Some of the symptoms, however, are similar to those of a heart attack or heart disease. Heartburn is a painful, burning sensation in the chest after a heavy meal, lying on your back or lifting. It occurs when the sphincter doesn’t close completely. Acid from the stomach comes back up into the esophagus, causing the burning sensation.

Other symptoms may include chronic cough or sore throat, persistent hiccups, feeling of having a lump in the throat, and trouble swallowing. Pregnant women often experience heartburn as the growing fetus increases intra-abdominal pressure.

Heartburn that won’t go away needs medical attention because it may be a symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), medication induced esophagitis, Barrett’s esophagus, cancer of the esophagus, ulcers, or other gastrointestinal problems.

“So, if you suffer severe or chronic heartburn or chest pain, it’s vital you find out if your problem is digestive or cardiac,” says Ashish Shah, M.D., gastroenterologist and Medical Director of the Advanced Endoscopy Center at Silver Cross Hospital.

Unexpected Heartburn Triggers

Less obvious heartburn triggers, include the following:

• Smoking: Smoking can weaken the valve between the stomach and esophagus (so stomach acid flows back into the esophagus); cause fat-digesting bile salts to migrate from the small intestine to the stomach; and cut down on saliva, which normally flushes stomach acid out of the esophagus and contains a natural acid-fighter, bicarbonate.
• Pills: When used regularly, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen can trigger heartburn. Some prescription drugs can too, including antibiotics, calcium channel blockers (for high blood pressure), bronchodilators such as albuterol (for asthma and COPD), osteoporosis drugs, and some sedatives. Consult your doctor if you think your medication is causing heartburn.
• Fish oil supplements: Fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids and has been a natural way to manage heart disease and depression. However, it can also cause heartburn.
• Peppermint: Peppermint tea and peppermint candies are often used to settle upset stomachs—but these remedies can backfire on people with GERD. The soothing and numbing effect of menthol tends to relax the valve that separates the stomach and esophagus (known as the lower esophageal sphincter), which can cause stomach acids to drift up the esophagus more easily, aggravating heartburn.
• Being overweight: The more you weigh, the more likely you are to have heartburn. Poor diet, excess body fat in the abdomen, and chemicals released by body fat have all been cited as possible causes.