What is heart burn?
GERD is the acronym for Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease. This may seem technical and complicated but it is the health condition in which a muscle at the end of esophagus does not close properly, allowing stomach contents to leak back or reflux, thus irritating or causing heart burn.
Symptoms of heart burn
Some may experience a taste of stomach fluid in the mouth which is acid indigestion and having this symptom for more than twice a week is a symptom of GERD. There will be a burning sensation and discomfort behind the breastbone. Patients having heart burn may experience any one symptom like difficulty in swallowing, chest pain, or inflammatory changes in the esophageal lining. Other typical heart burn symptoms include cough, voice changes, chronic ear pain, nausea or sinusitis. A burning sensation by the side of the esophagus when the liquid is refluxed upwards and a sour taste in the mouth occurs due to GERD. Almost any one or all these symptoms occur after meals and worsen, when the person lies down. One way in which physicians confirm GERD is to offer medications to reduce the acid secretion in the stomach and if this is achieved, the diagnosis of GERD is confirmed.
Causes:
More often than not, heart burn is caused due to relaxation of lower esophageal sphincter (LES) that separates the chest and the stomach. When it relaxes, the food and acid secreted reflux back into the walls of the esophagus causing heart burn.
Prevention:
When the triggers of heart burn are identified, it is easier to prevent or treat GERD. By making slight alterations in the food habits and timings GERD can be prevented. It is a good idea to have adequate time between the evening meal and bedtime. Certain types of foods are also found to aggravate GERD. This includes, chocolate, most of the fast foods, milk, fatty foods, oils, peppermint, and creamed foods. Eating smaller meals rather than one large meal at a longer interval is also good. It is also advisable to limit caffeinated drinks, like soft drinks, tea and coffee. Citrus fruits and their juices also contribute to heart burn. One simple way of avoiding GERD is to elevate the body while sleeping and lying on the left side instead of right.
Treatment:
There are many over- the- counter medicines to treat GERD such as antacids and histamines. Antacids must be taken one hour after the meal or before the symptoms of a GERD approach. Taking cold milk helps to neutralize the acid secreted in the stomach.
Although heart burn is a minor discomfort that can be cured by simple changes in lifestyle and food habits, a very few rare cases where long term GERD persists, that are severe may need surgery. Since long term GERD has the tendency to damage the esophagus and cause cancer in the part of the body. In this process, the esophagus is widened through laparoscopic surgery which will be very effective. Endoscopy is the second option.
