Reasons And Therapy For Serious Heartburn

By Alan Paton

Heartburn is a burning pain beginning behind the breastbone and radiating upwards. The hydrochloric acid from the belly leaks into the esophagus and causes heartburn. Occasional heartburn due to rich food or other life-style causes is assessed as mild or episodic. Heartburn occurring twice or more in a week is moderate or frequent. Everyday Problems even with a proper diet and way of living is harsh or persistent. Five to fifteen % of heartburn sufferers suffer with persistent heartburn.

Lingering heartburn is caused by the lower esophagus sphincter muscle tone becoming weak, or eroded by stomach acid, and the one-way valve is unable to seal the acid inside the gut. It could also be due to other factors like motility problems, high stress, the lining of esophagus becoming delicate, and continuous medicine for other chronic conditions.

In some extraordinary cases, the mere act of bending down will bring acid into the esophagus. If the protracted condition prevails for long, it may lead to hard conditions like trouble in swallowing, coarseness of the throat, chronic laryngitis, respiratory Problems like asthma or pneumonia, dreadful cough, and others.

Before prolonged heartburn is diagnosed it is important to rule out more significant illnesses which cause heartburn only as a symptom. These include hiatal hernia, GERD, peptic ulcer, gall bladder illness, gastritis and a tear in the esophagus. Enquiry for these ailments wants intensive gear and consultants.

Chronic heartburn is treated with strict life changes, which include modifying eating and sleeping habits, avoiding stress, stopping smoking, reducing weight, avoiding strain on the gut, and exercising.

Over The Counter medication with antacids, H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors may be employed as short- and medium-term relief from heartburn. But the major target of the physician will be to prescribe and manage it in the long run.

Treatment for chronic heartburn involves total commitment from the patient to comply with the physician's recommendation and take the prescribed medicine till the doctor stops it. If all else fails to beat chronic heartburn, surgery might be the final resort. This is done to tighten the LES muscles and prevent acid from dripping into the esophagus. - 32390

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