Hurting Heartburns
Heartburn, also known as pyrosis or acid indigestion is a burning sensation in the chest, just behind the breastbone or in the epigastrium.
The pain often rises in the chest and may radiate to the neck, throat, or angle of the jaw.
Heartburn is usually associated with regurgitation of gastric acid (gastric reflux). Heartburn is a major symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease.
You can prevent the 'hurting heartburns' by the following:
1. Avoid heartburn-triggering foods. These vary from person to person, but common offenders include orange juice, chocolate, tomato sauce, spicy foods, mint, garlic, and vinegar. Fatty, greasy foods, like cheeseburgers and fries, are also heartburn instigators.
2. Stay upright for a few hours after you eat. Sitting up works with gravity to keep food and stomach acid from flowing up into your esophagus. Better yet, move about a bit to help speed digestion. "Our grandparents had it right when they headed out for a walk after a large meal," he says.
3. But abstain from exercise right after eating. Intense workouts slow digestion, making reflux more likely. Better to exercise first thing in the morning or a few hours after a meal. If you still experience heartburn symptoms after a workout, drink extra water. Staying hydrated helps improve digestion to keep symptoms at bay.
4. Eat smaller meals. To avoid heartburn, aim to eat up to six mini-meals a day, as opposed to three large ones. The worst? Eating a large meal right before bed. Try to abstain from food or drinks within an hour or two of bedtime. Even a tall glass of water before lying down can trigger symptoms in susceptible individuals.
5. Go easy on caffeine and alcohol-and avoid cigarettes. All three can relax the esophageal sphincter muscle, which normally keeps stomach acid from splashing up into the esophagus. Carbonated beverages can also cause this problem.
6. Don't eat too quickly. Try chewing slowly and putting your fork down between bites. Hot soups are a good appetizer because they take longer to consume.
7. Wear looser-fitting clothes. Tight belts, waistbands, and pantyhose constrict the stomach, sometimes triggering reflux.
8. Find ways to relax. Stress may increase stomach acids, raising the likelihood of heartburn.
9. Aim to lose a few extra pounds. The pressure of excess weight-especially around the abdomen-increases the chance that stomach acid will backwash into the esophagus.
10. Try chewing gum. This can boost the production of saliva, which neutralizes stomach acid.
11. Bend with your knees. Bending over at the waist tends to promote heartburn symptoms.
12. Elevate the head of your bed. Place blocks or bricks under your bedposts to raise the head of your bed 6 inches. Elevating your head and chest during sleep helps prevent nighttime reflux. A wedge pillow may also work.
Pain or burning in the chest can also be a symptom of ischemic heart disease. This burning sensation can be misinterpreted as acid reflux, and misdiagnosed. It is still best to see doctor if the pain increases...
__________________
Forwarded by EMG
The pain often rises in the chest and may radiate to the neck, throat, or angle of the jaw.
Heartburn is usually associated with regurgitation of gastric acid (gastric reflux). Heartburn is a major symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease.
You can prevent the 'hurting heartburns' by the following:
1. Avoid heartburn-triggering foods. These vary from person to person, but common offenders include orange juice, chocolate, tomato sauce, spicy foods, mint, garlic, and vinegar. Fatty, greasy foods, like cheeseburgers and fries, are also heartburn instigators.
2. Stay upright for a few hours after you eat. Sitting up works with gravity to keep food and stomach acid from flowing up into your esophagus. Better yet, move about a bit to help speed digestion. "Our grandparents had it right when they headed out for a walk after a large meal," he says.
3. But abstain from exercise right after eating. Intense workouts slow digestion, making reflux more likely. Better to exercise first thing in the morning or a few hours after a meal. If you still experience heartburn symptoms after a workout, drink extra water. Staying hydrated helps improve digestion to keep symptoms at bay.
4. Eat smaller meals. To avoid heartburn, aim to eat up to six mini-meals a day, as opposed to three large ones. The worst? Eating a large meal right before bed. Try to abstain from food or drinks within an hour or two of bedtime. Even a tall glass of water before lying down can trigger symptoms in susceptible individuals.
5. Go easy on caffeine and alcohol-and avoid cigarettes. All three can relax the esophageal sphincter muscle, which normally keeps stomach acid from splashing up into the esophagus. Carbonated beverages can also cause this problem.
6. Don't eat too quickly. Try chewing slowly and putting your fork down between bites. Hot soups are a good appetizer because they take longer to consume.
7. Wear looser-fitting clothes. Tight belts, waistbands, and pantyhose constrict the stomach, sometimes triggering reflux.
8. Find ways to relax. Stress may increase stomach acids, raising the likelihood of heartburn.
9. Aim to lose a few extra pounds. The pressure of excess weight-especially around the abdomen-increases the chance that stomach acid will backwash into the esophagus.
10. Try chewing gum. This can boost the production of saliva, which neutralizes stomach acid.
11. Bend with your knees. Bending over at the waist tends to promote heartburn symptoms.
12. Elevate the head of your bed. Place blocks or bricks under your bedposts to raise the head of your bed 6 inches. Elevating your head and chest during sleep helps prevent nighttime reflux. A wedge pillow may also work.
Pain or burning in the chest can also be a symptom of ischemic heart disease. This burning sensation can be misinterpreted as acid reflux, and misdiagnosed. It is still best to see doctor if the pain increases...
__________________
Forwarded by EMG
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