Beware of Heartburn

Heartburn is a mystery to both patients and their physicians.
Nobody knows what really causes it. Researchers have learned that “for some reason” the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) does not function properly, allowing the stomach’s contents to flow back into the esophagus. They don’t know, however, why the LES fails to fulfill its duty. What researchers and doctors do know is that heartburn can be a serious matter.

Danger

According to the American College of Gastroenterology, 60 million plus people in the United States endure a heartburn episode about once a month. Those who suffer heartburn every day number more than 15 million. Some of these heartburn sufferers are in danger of developing a more serious problem.

* GERD: A percentage of those who suffer heartburn will develop gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD Symptoms include that familiar burning chest pain that most recognize as heartburn. They also include difficulty swallowing; excessive throat clearing that is not simply a nervous reaction; and regurgitation of bitter or sour liquid.

* Esophageal Strictures: When the tube leading to the stomach narrows or closes, and remains that way long-term, it is referred to as an esophageal stricture. It is thought that persistent heartburn can produce this serious condition, which may require surgery.

* Barrett’s Esophagus: This precancerous condition can be another dangerous outcome of persistent, serious heartburn. In rare cases, people with persistent heartburn will continue further from Barrett’s esophagus and develop true cancer of the esophagus.

More information about the potential dangers of heartburn is available from the United States National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

Preventative Steps

There are steps you can take to fight heartburn before it progresses to a serious state. Here are several heartburn preventative steps to try.

* Avoid clothing that fits tightly, especially around the waist.

* Eat smaller meals, increasing the number of meals if necessary.

* In the evening, do not eat for three to four hours before sleeping.

* Quit smoking, as tobacco smoke can trigger heartburn.

* Reach, and maintain a healthy weight for your body type and height.

* Resist the temptation to lie down, or bend at the waist after meals. Either can cause stomach juices to flow back into your esophagus.

* Steer clear of lifting heavy things that might put strain on muscles around the waist.

* Test your reaction to possible heartburn food triggers such as caffeine, chocolate, fatty foods, peppermint, spicy foods, and tomato sauces.

If you experience heartburn more than twice a week, talk to your physician about it. The above information is for educational purposes only, and should not be taken as profession medical advice.