by Christobel Rajesh

Created on: October 21, 2008

Heartburn is an uncomfortable sensation that occurs beneath the sternum when the acidic contents of the stomach refluxes into the esophagus. It is more common in older adults. It is not a disease but it is a symptom that reflects a disease concerning the stomach or esophagus. It is surveyed that 1 of 25 Americans complain of heartburn every week. It is a temporary problem that resolves by its own when simple measures are taken to allivate it. On the other hand, they can become a permanent problem when not cared.

Causes of heartburn includes overeating, eating at irregular intervals (not eating on time), getting to bed soon after eating, an incompetent lower esophageal sphincter, hiatal hernia, acid-peptic disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease, side effects of certain medications, and in some organic diseases like bulimia, anorexia nervosa.

Symptoms of heartburn vary from person to person. Some just have a bloated feeling in the stomach and is relieved when they just take a walk after the meal. But for others it is more severe that it is even misunderstood as chestpain. It presents with burning pain or burning sensation in the esophagus (as well as at the back of the throat for few others), regurgitation (back flow of food), sense of fullness after eating (bloating), and sometimes accompanies with sweating and fainting.

Here are some tips to avoid heartburn:

* Eating small meals.

* Eating at regular intervals and not taking a long break between meals.

* Chew the food well and never gulp. As heartburn is a common problem of the elderly, it's better they eat foods that are easily chewable and easily digestable.

* Avoid heavy spices.

* Sit for sometime or take a walk after meals.

* No food or drink 2 hours before bedtime. Or in other words, don't recline or lie down immediately after eating.

* If you are bedridden for any reason, elevate of head end of the bed to have your food. Also be in that position for a while after meals.

* Decrease lower esophageal sphincter pressure or anything that causes esophageal irritation. This is acheived by
1. Eating a low fat and high fiber diet.
2. Avoiding caffine, tobacco and peppermint.
3. Reducing weight if you are overweight.

* Avoid medication that causes heartburn. If you suspect any medication that is causing this adverse effect, then stop the medicine and talk to your doctor immediately.

Heartburn can be prevented if you follow the above mentioned tips. They can be treated both medically or surgically depending up on the status of the disease process. Medications like antacids, gastric acid pump receptors, prokinetic agents that accelerate gastric emptying can help relieving this symptom. Surgical management called fundoplication (wrapping a portion of the gastric fundus around the sphincter area of the esophagus) is found to be useful for the treatment of heartburn.

Heartburn symptoms are sometimes mistaken for heart attack symptoms. But heart attack symptoms cannot afford to be mistaken. It is always better to understand your body symptoms and act accordingly. Any recurring problems even minor ones like heartburns should be immediately brought to the physician's notice.

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