That burning, pressurized sensation in your chest after eating has a lot of different names: heartburn, indigestion, acid reflux, GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease).
Whatever you call it, it amounts to pain and discomfort for millions of people every single day. It keeps them from enjoying their food and even prevents some sufferers from sleeping well at night.
In the past, all you could do was self medicate with antacids and hope the heartburn went away quickly. Now, the focus has shifted towards prevention with products like Nexium entering the market and proving effective.
What Causes Heartburn and Acid Reflux
When stomach acids back up, they inflame and irritate the esophagus, the tube between the throat and stomach. Because the esophagus is just behind the heart, the condition came to be known as heartburn. (It's also why the pain of heartburn is sometimes mistaken for a heart attack.)
These factors can increase your risk of having acid reflux:
* Smoking.
* Drinking alcohol.
* Obesity.
* Slouching, poor posture.
* A poor diet.
* Eating large meals shortly before bedtime.
* Certain medications.
* Certain health conditions like pregnancy, diabetes and hernia.
Having heartburn once in a while is normal. But having heartburn frequently (twice a week or more) could indicate that your esophagus has been damaged by stomach acids and you should seek treatment.
Heartburn / Acid Reflux Treatments
For minor heartburn, popping an antacid tablet might work just fine. But for serious acid reflux disease, you may need to try something more long term such as lifestyle changes and prescription medication.
Medical science has provided us with products that not only treat acid reflux, but help prevent it.
Preventing Acid Reflux Disease: Nexium
Nexium is a once-a-day pill that prevents acid reflux / heartburn attacks by reducing the amount of acid in the stomach. That, in turn, prevents stomach acids from backing up into and damaging the esophagus.
Nexium has been shown to be more effective than other prescription and over-the-counter formulas because it works for almost everyone. Other products only help about half of the people and only give short-term relief.
Nexium is tolerated well by most patients over short and long term use. Nexium also helps heal damage to the esophagus that can result from acid reflux disease. And now it's been proven to help prevent stomach ulcers associated with taking certain kinds of pain relievers.
Nexium is tolerated well by most patients over short and long term use. Nexium also helps heal damage to the esophagus that can result from acid reflux disease. And now it's been proven to help prevent stomach ulcers associated with taking certain kinds of pain relievers.
Lifestyle Changes
Another way to help prevent heartburn / acid reflux and alleviate the painful symptoms is to make some changes in your habits -- changes that will also improve your overall health:
* Quit smoking.
* Lose weight.
* Reduce or stop drinking alcohol.
* Eat smaller meals.
* Don't lie down immediately after eating... wait at least 3 hours.
* Don't wear tight-fitting clothes.
* Raise the head of your bed about 6 inches off the floor so you're lying at an angle.
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Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
What alcohol is the least bad to drink with acid reflux
By: Billy Ray | 06-06-2008
What alcohol is the least bad to drink for someone who suffers from Acid Reflux/GERD? I know abstaining from alcohol is often recommended but I'm asking for something to drink in social situations where an alcoholic drink is nice. I know red wine is terrible for me.
My husband has acid reflux really bad and none of ...
By: joan | 20-05-2008
my husband has acid reflux really bad and none of the meds that he has taken helps not even percription he has had this problem for about 15 years please help.
Hey i'm a 17 year old Girl ..
By: His babie | 15-05-2008
hey i'm a 17 year old Girl and i have been havin of the symptoms. all i really want to know is how to get rid of it with our buyin the book. Please i really need the help. Thank you Charity
Do dogs get indigestion?
By: JoeyBoy | 04-02-2008
Do dogs get indigestion? When my dog finishes eating, she sounds like she's wheezing a little, like indigestion.
How do you deal with bile reflux? I think that is ...
By: tinyrufus | 11-01-2008
How do you deal with bile reflux? I think that is why I am not responding 100% to the Prevacid. I had my gallbladder out and I know my diet was not good.
Esophagitis
By: bpandey | 30-08-2007
well i have recently being diagnosed with esophagitis grade 3 which is pretty severe.i have been prescribed pariet 20mg twice a day. i am taking it and it has been helpful. i have made small changes in my diet as well.dont have heartburn any more but still have acid reflux. can someone please advise how to get rid of acid reflux. i am 25 years old and am trying to get pregnant. can someone please advise if it is safe to fall pregnant while i have this condition and if it is safe to continue taking pariet during pregnancy? thanks
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