Almost everyone suffers from heartburn occasionally; but...
Almost everyone suffers from heartburn occasionally; but if occasionally means two or three times a week, it may be more serious.*
Heartburn has little to do with your heart. It results when stomach acids back up into your esophagus, the muscular tube between your mouth and stomach, causing a burning pain in your chest. Reflux pain can sometimes be so severe that it can be mistaken for a heart attack.
* Most times, heartburn is just the result of eating and drinking too much of the wrong things. But if you suffer heartburn regularly, you might have gastroesophageal reflux disorder, or GERD, which can severely damage your esophagus and can predispose you to throat cancer. Stomach acid can sometimes reach the vocal cords and cause hoarseness or spill into the lungs, causing asthma-like symptoms.
* Experts say more than 60 million Americans experience heartburn at least once a month and about 25 million suffer from it daily. Twenty-five percent of pregnant women suffer heartburn daily; more than 50% experience it occasionally.
* To avoid heartburn, doctors usually recommend eating smaller portions of food and waiting two to three hours before lying down after meals. Elevating the head of your bed can also reduce heartburn by allowing gravity to inhibit reflux from reaching your esophagus. Also, avoiding such things as chocolate, peppermint, fatty foods, coffee, alcohol, citrus fruits and juices, tomato products and pepper can help. Obesity and smoking can exacerbate heartburn symptoms, as can wearing tight belts.
* For those who prefer a natural heartburn remedy, try a cup of chamomile tea. Antacids, such as Tums, Maalox and Mylanta, work by neutralizing acid in the esophagus and stomach. Acid blockers, such as Pepcid AC, Tagamet HB and Zantac, work by stopping the body from producing stomach acid. Acid blockers need about 30 minutes before they start to work. Antacids work more quickly. Doctors can now also prescribe a new type of medication called proton pump inhibitors. And for the most serious cases, videoscopic surgery may be an option.