Though commonly mistaken as a condition of the heart, heartburn is in fact a digestive problem. Manifested by discomfort around the chest and upper back area, heartburn can occur in varying degrees. Heartburn's symptoms may range from a mild irritation to severe pain. On average, heartburn is an incidental occurrence for most people, however, there are those who suffer from chronic heartburn.
What causes heartburn? It is normally associated with improper food intake or with something that does not agree with one's body. Technically though, what causes heartburn is the reflux of gastric acid up to the esophagus. This irritates the lining and causes the pain. It has been pinpointed that a dysfunctional lower esophageal sphincter (LES) muscle contributes largely to heartburn.
Diet and lifestyle have been pinpointed as some factors which may cause the LES to weaken. Food that is spicy and acidic contributes to heartburn. More so, other habits that may encourage heartburn are smoking and drinking alcohol. Posture is another factor to be considered. Improper posture may cause the weakening of the LES.
If you are suffering from occasional heartburn, your healthcare provider will simply treat you with the common heartburn treatment. Antacids such as Maalox and Mylanta are usually prescribed as medication like this will neutralize the acidity within your stomach. In some cases, other medication will be prescribed to prevent recurrence of the problem.
For those who suffer from chronic heartburn, however, further tests such as an endoscopy will probably be conducted. This is done to further understand and analyze the cause of the chronic heartburn. This will also reveal if there are any other complications connected to the condition.
So how do you avoid getting heartburn? Watch for the foods that seem to trigger a heartburn attack. Different people have different "trigger foods". If you notice that a certain food gives you heartburn, then try to avoid it. In general, spicy food should be taken in moderation. Too much alcohol and smoking can also trigger heartburn so it would be good to ease up on these activities. Also, try to maintain proper posture when walking, sitting, or lying down.
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