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Heartburn - A Digestive Problem...Not The Heart!
INTRODUCTION: Heartburn is a digestive condition that occurs when stomach acid comes into contact with the lining of the esophagus, creating irritation. It has absolutely nothing to do with the heart even though the discomfort may be confused with heart pain and vice versa and is the most common sign of a problem called gastroesophageal reflux or acid reflux. It is occasionly called acid indigestion and normally occurs after meals and is a daily happening for about 10 percent of Americans and up to 50 percent of pregnant women.
SYMPTOMS: Symptoms of acid indigestion and a heart attack may feel the same. One of the most common symptoms is spitting up. Heartburn symptoms are just flat-out uncomfortable and quite painful. However, many people will only experience the milder symptoms. Pay attention and treat it, especially if you feel symptoms often.
The good news is that making changes to certain habits will go a long way to stopping acid indigestion and other symptoms of GERD.
Heartburn is normally easy to diagnose from the signs you describe to your MD. If there is any question about the diagnosis, you can have the following tests to check for ulcers or other conditions that might produce your symptoms: barium swallow x-ray study of the esophagus, complete upper GI (gastrointestinal) barium x-ray study of the esophagus, stomach, and upper intestine endoscopy: a technique in which a thin flexible tube with a tiny camera is placed in your mouth and down into your stomach so your MD can look at your esophagus and stomach.
To aid in reducing the symptoms you can try not to put a lot of pressure on the sphincter muscle. Get emergency care if the following happens with the heartburn and do not go away within 15 minutes of treatment: shortness of breath; perspiring; weakness; or arm, back, or chest pain.
FOODS: To minimize attacks, a sufferer may find some benefit in avoidance of certain foods that relax the opening between the stomach and esophagus, such as chocolate, peppermint, and chamomile tea prior to bedtime.
Restricting diet is extremely important, since 90-95% of sufferers of heartburn or esophageal problems can link their symptoms to certain foods. If the person notices that certain foods seem to make the condition worse, or more frequent, they would be better served to stay away from them, or at least talk to their Physician about products that can help decrease the amount of stomach acid that can create acid reflux.
CONCLUSION: Heartburn usually is due to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), the rise of stomach acid back up into the esophagus. Acid indigestion and reflux are very common, with 10 percent of the population experiencing these symptoms at least once a week and can be brought on or worsened by pregnancy and by many different medications.
It is common condition, and an occasional episode is generally nothing to worry about. Relief in the form of milk can be effective and drinking a small amount of milk regularly over a period of time can start to heal the effects as it washes acid back into the stomach.
A simple and relatively harmless way of treating a one time heartburn is to consume a mixture of a small amount of Sodium bicarbonate an water, which quickly neutralizes the acid that creates the pain.
Chewing gum can produce a short-term relief by stimulating the creation of saliva, which dilutes and flushes out stomach acid. When heartburn occurs often, however, or becomes severe, you should see your MD.
About the Author About The Author: Richard H. Ealom is the Author of this article and the writer of "Free Articles On Sickness and Diseases: How To Prevent and Even Cure Them". Need more Facts Please go to us at our websites@ Diabetes & Cancer Secrets OR Go To Heart Disease & Obesity Secrets. You are allowed to reprint this article provided this box is left unaltered.
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