Heartburn actually has nothing to do with the heart;it is so called because of a burning sensation near to where the heart is located. Heartburn is a burning feeling in the lower chest, along with a sour or bitter taste in the throat and mouth. It usually occurs after eating a big meal or while lying down. The feeling can last for a few minutes or a few hours.
When you eat, food must passes through mouth down to an opening between the esophagus and stomach.Usually, this opening closes as soon as food passes through. But if it doesn’t close all the way, acid from your stomach can get through the opening and into your esophagus. This is called reflux. Stomach acid can irritate the esophagus and cause heartburn.
Heartburn is a major symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease; acid reflux is also identified as one of the causes of chronic cough, and may even mimic asthma.
*Diagnosis
*Biochemical
Tests might include X-rays to check for ulcers
Ambulatory pH Monitoring ,a pH test to check for acid in the esophagus, such monitors can be used to document reflux in real-time.
*Mechanical
*Manometry
A pressure sensor (manometer) is passed through the mouth into the esophagus and measures the pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter directly.
*Endoscopy
The esophageal mucosa can be visualized directly by passing a thin, lighted tube with a tiny camera known as an endoscope attached through the mouth to examine the esophagus and stomach.Your doctor may also check for H. pylori, a bacteria that can cause ulcers.
In this way, evidence of esophageal inflammation can be detected, and biopsies taken if necessary.
*Biopsy
A small sample of tissue from the esophagus is removed. It is then studied to check for inflammation, cancer, or other problems.
*Medications treatment
*Antacids
Antacids work by neutralizing excess stomach acid. Although stomach acid will still splash into the esophagus, it will be neutralized, leading to decreased or absent heartburn symptoms. Antacids provide fast relief of symptoms, but relief typically lasts for only 20–60 minutes.Antacids can cause diarrhea or constipation. it’scontain both magnesium hydroxide and aluminum hydroxide.
(One causes constipation while the other causes diarrhea so they counteract each other.) Some brands of antacids include Maalox, Mylanta and Riopan.
*Sodium bicarbonate
A simple and relatively harmless way to treat a one-off heartburn is to drink a solution of a small amount of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) mixed with water, which quickly neutralizes the acid that causes the pain. Excess sodium intake, however, is thought to raise blood pressure and cause other health problems.
* H2-receptor antagonists
Often called H2 blockers, H2-receptor antagonists work by decreasing the amount of acid the body releases into the stomach. H2s are systemic, meaning they require absorption into the bloodstream in order to work. Therefore, H2s can often take 30 minutes or longer before they start working, and therefore are often taken to prevent heartburn rather than for fast relief of symptoms.
*Alginates
Alginates work differently than antacids and H2 blockers, by forming a protective barrier in the stomach that prevents stomach acid from refluxing back up into the esophagus. Alginic acid is naturally derived (from brown seaweed) and is non-systemic. Alginates provide faster relief than H2-receptor antagonists and PPIs, and longer-lasting relief than antacids. This is also known to have a better overall outcome for relief.
*Proton-pump inhibitors
Proton pump inhibitors, called PPIs, are a class of medications which can be effective for people who do not respond to antacid or acid blockers. Proton-pump inhibitors are systemic and directly block acid production in the stomach cells. In order to prevent heartburn the medication disfigures and disables the proteins (proton pumps) that control the pH of the stomach, allowing the body to digest them.
Proton-pump inhibitors are not fast-acting, but provide long-lasting relief. PPIs are intended to be short-term medications only.
*Restricting diet
Restricting diet is very important, since approximately 90-95% of sufferers of heartburn or esophageal disorder can link their symptoms to specific foods. herefore,Restricting and manage their diets as a way to treat their heartburn. Sufferers should choose the kinds of foods and drinks which have little risk of causing acid reflux, while some kinds of foods or drinks should be avoided as they are major heartburn triggers. Specifically, it has been shown that fatty foods and caffeinated beverages can cause the symptoms of heartburn.
Tips on preventing heartburn.
* Place 6- to 9-inch blocks under the legs at the head of your bed to raise it.
* Try to eat at least 2 to 3 hours before lying down. If you take naps, try sleeping in a chair.
* If you smoke, quit.
* Lose weight if you’re overweight.
* Don’t overeat.
* Eat high-protein, low-fat meals.
* Avoid tight clothes and tight belts.
* Avoid foods and other things that give you heartburn.
When to Seek Medical Care.
* Call your health care provider if your heartburn continues more than 3 times a week for over 2 weeks.Your provider will prescribe medications or make other recommendations to help your pain.
*Go to a hospital’s emergency department if you have any of the following symptoms.
*Throwing up blood or passing blood in your stools. severe abdominal pain, dizziness, or lightheadedness.
* You’re short of breath,you break out in a sweat when you have pain in your chest.pain going into your neck and shoulder.
*Difficulty swallowing,Throwing up blood or passing blood in your stools,Dehydration, Unintentional weight loss But sometimes pain in the chest may be mistaken for heartburn when it’s really a sign of heart disease.heartburn associated with heart attacks If you or a family member has a history of heart disease, you need to be particularly aware of this possibility. If your pain is accompanied by sweating, nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, or is worse with activity, you may need to have your heart evaluated immediately., call your doctor.
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