Heartburn Free
A Quick Guide to Being Heartburn Free
Sometimes the thought of being heartburn free seems more like dream to those of us who love to eat! The good news is that you don’t have to stick to a rabbit’s diet just to avoid the pains of heartburn. This article is going to cover the causes of heartburn as well as tips for treating and avoiding heartburn altogether. By the end of this article, you will be fast on your way to remaining heartburn free!
Heartburn is a condition in which stomach acid finds its way out of the stomach and into the esophagus. This causes irritation and often a burning sensation in the chest and sometimes the throat. The burning sensation is usually found near the area where the rib cages meet, and sometimes toward the left side, where the heart resides. Although heartburn has absolutely nothing to do with the heart, it is simply a coincidence in the location of the pain that heartburn is called such.
The causes of heartburn are numerous, and in some cases, may point to a physical disorder if heartburn becomes a frequent issue. The human body has what is called an esophageal sphincter which is located at the end of the esophagus, just before the opening to the stomach. Its primary function is to keep stomach acid exactly where it belongs—in the stomach. As mentioned earlier, the source of the pain is usually where the rib cages split—which is where the esophageal sphincter is located. This valve opens to allow food into the stomach and to allow burping to occur; however, sometimes the sphincter does not close properly or opens too frequently and stomach acid seeps into the esophagus. The stomach has a lining of mucus that keeps it from being harmed by the acid, but unfortunately the esophagus does not have this protective lining, which results in irritation.
Certain foods, medication, and physical conditions can contribute to heartburn. Certain types of foods, such as tomatoes and other citrus fruits, onions, chocolate, garlic, spicy foods, and fatty or fried foods can cause the esophageal sphincter to loosen or relax. Obviously the more you eat of these foods, the more likely you are to develop heartburn. Heartburn can also develop when the stomach is too full. This can easily be solved by pacing yourself while you eat, or eating smaller portions more frequently throughout the day. Pregnancy and obesity can lead to heartburn because pressure is exerted onto the stomach, in which case smaller, more frequent meals often helps people in these conditions.
There are many popular over the counter medications that most people feel work well against common instances of heartburn. Only about thirty percent of the general American population experience heartburn as a nuisance, and for these people, over the counter medications tends to solve the problem. Ten percent of Americans experience heartburn on a daily basis, and for this, over the counter medications may not be strong enough. Antacids such as Alka-Seltzer, Tums, Gaviscon, and Pepto Bismol are popular heartburn relief medications that can be found at most grocers, drug stores, and even convenience stations.
Heartburn on an occasional basis isn’t really dangerous, however frequent heartburn could be a sign on gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). You may want to consult a doctor about your heartburn so he or she can determine whether or not you suffer from GERD. If you suffer from GERD or experience severe heartburn on occasion, you may ask your doctor about one of the following prescription medications: Axid, Pepcid, Tagamet, or Zantac. Be aware that some of these medications may have side effects, which should be discussed with your doctor.
So don’t feel that you have to completely give up the foods that you love, simply eat them more slowly or take an over the counter antacid before eating them. Being heartburn free is simply a case of finding out the source of your heartburn and moderating yourself or finding the right prescription to counter it.