Help for Heartburn

Despite its name, heartburn has nothing to do with the heart. Its symptoms are felt near the heart in the chest and throat, though. Thus the misnomer. Actually, the ailment is an irritation in the esophagus, which occurs when acids seep up, out of the stomach into the esophagus (acid reflux).

Chest pain, however, is a symptom common to both heartburn and heart attack, so it’s important to be able to differentiate between the two conditions. Keep in mind that heart attacks often include pain that radiates to the arms, neck or shoulders, a cold sweat, dizziness/weakness and shortness of breath—all symptoms that aren’t present with heartburn. If you have trouble telling the difference, see a doctor right away.

Occasional heartburn is common and rarely life-threatening, but if persistent and frequent, it could indicate a more serious condition such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)—chronic acid reflux that can lead to complications, including cancer.

Heartburn Symptoms

• Pain and/or burning feeling in the chest, usually after eating
• Trouble swallowing
• Sour, acidic or salty taste in the back of the throat
• Increase in pain when lying down or bending over

Treatment

• Antacids such as Tums help by neutralizing excess stomach acid.
• Acid blockers like Pepcid AC work by reducing the production of stomach acids.
• H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors reduce the production of stomach acids, while promotility agents increase the rate of digestion. These are stronger medications available with a doctor’s prescription.

Various lifestyle choices and circumstances can contribute to heartburn, including overeating, smoking and stress. Certain foods and beverages are also known to be triggers that tend to worsen symptoms. These include:

• Caffeine
• Alcohol
• Chocolate
• Tomatoes
• Peppermint
• Citrus fruits
• Spicy/fatty/fried foods

To reduce heartburn frequency and severity, sufferers should:

• Maintain a healthy weight
• Not smoke
• Avoid foods and beverages that are known triggers
• Eat small, frequent meals—but not near bedtime
• Sleep with the head propped up to help acid drain from the esophagus

Be well!