Posts Tagged ‘esophagus’
by Richard H Ealom
INTRODUCTION: Acid reflux is a condition where gastric juices containing acid travel back from the stomach into the esophagus (gullet or swallowing tube). More commonly found among adults, yet, children as well as infants, can be likewise affected.
It is most often known by its symptom of "heartburn" which reportedly affects 1 out of every 10 adults in the United States and is a very serious and common problem in the world today. In severe cases, this can be very bothersome. It is treatable and you should ask your physician what treatments are available and right for you.
GERD: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), or commonly known as acid reflux, is a chronic condition wherein the esophagus gets inflamed and irritated due to the stomach's acidic contents that backflow towards the esophagus passing from the lower esophageal sphincter. It is a severe version of reflux that often causes pain, vomiting and poor weight gain.
HEARTBURN: The name of the ailment given to a burning discomfort in the chest, just behind the breastbone. It is a symptom of another digestive disorder, and not a disorder by itself. Following heartburn, other reported signs are regurgitation, bitterness within the mouth, hoarseness, wheezing, dry cough, and throat tightness as if a hunk of food is entrapped. A heartburn every now and then does not necessarily mean one has GERD.
SYMPTOMS: Signs of acid reflux include: Heartburn (a burning feeling rising from the stomach or lower chest up towards the neck) and can be greatly relieved or prevented by lifestyle and dietary changes as well as the use of herbs known to promote healthy digestion.
TREATMENT: Treatment is the next step, but recognize that proper treatment can really only be utilized once a definitive diagnosis has been made. Moreover, after the esophagus has healed and treatment is ceased, the injury will return in the majority of patients within a few months. You may need to experiment with doses and drugs to find the right solution for your heartburn and GERD.
Drug treatment is often only needed for a short time although it may have to be repeated since some symptoms may re-occur. NEXIUM is prescribed for the treatment of frequent, persistent heartburn symptoms. But if these symptoms occur two or more days a week despite treatment and change in diet, you may have (GERD) also known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.
CONCLUSION: Acid reflux is produce by food and stomach acid coming back up from your stomach and entering your esophagus and is usually characterized by a burning sensation in the stomach and chest region. It is a medical ailment, with heartburn as a possible symptom of that ailment. You should also realize that if it remains untreated for too long, you could be facing a lifetime of dealing with it. The bottom line is that finding the correct treatment is mostly about knowing your body and your symptoms.
About the Author:
R. Ealom is the Author of this article and the creator of "Free Articles On Sickness and Diseases: How To Prevent and Cure Them". For more Facts Please go to our website "Diabetes,Cancer And Obesity Secrets" @ Diabetes,Cancer And Obesity Secrets
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Why Stomach Acid is Good for You: Natural Relief from Heartburn, Indigestion, Reflux and GERD List Price: $15.95 Sale Price: $10.85  |
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This groundbreaking book unleashes a brilliant new plan for permanently curing heartburn by relieving the root cause of the problem: low stomach acid. |
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Heartburn & Reflux for Dummies List Price: $19.99 Sale Price: $0.18 |
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How to recognize symptoms, get an accurate diagnosis, and find the most effective treatment Who is at risk for heartburn and reflux? What forms does reflux take? Is self-treatment dangerous? Heartburn and Reflux For Dummies answers these questions and helps readers work with their doctors to control symptoms, heal esophageal inflammation or injury, and avoid complications... |
What Heartburn Feels Like
Anyone with a penchant for big meals probably has had heartburn once or twice. Some of us tend to feel this pain a lot more than others. Actually answering the question "what does heartburn feel like?" is actually trickier than you might think. When we think of heartburn, we think of the dull, burning pain in the heart. True heartburn has nothing to do with that vital organ, however. Heartburn happens in the esophagus, the food chute from our mouth to our stomachs, where some stomach acid came up to cause that pain. Since the burning usually feels somewhere near to where we think the heart might be, it tends to confuse some to think of it as their heart that is hurting.
Heartburn or Angina?
The problem is that angina and heart attacks can feel a lot like heartburn. Keep this is mind if you or your family have some history of heart trouble. If you have had a history of it, you want to play it very safe and never dismiss any chest pains you might be feeling. Always consult a doctor when determining when it is safe to assume a chest pain is heartburn or something more serious.
If you're one of those people who feel like you've had heartburn every other day, you might treat it as such as long as it feels the same as all the other times (consult your doctor, as always, to determine if this is a safe move for you). If you decide to attack your problem like it's heartburn, there are some things you can try.
If your heartburn usually happens when you lay down to sleep, try propping yourself up so your head is above your stomach and feet. Gravity may help keep the acid at bay. Some people like drinking lots of water to ease the symptoms—if this works for you, great! But for most people, this may not be practical right before bedtime.
Self Medicating Options
If you feel the need to medicate it, you can try your own solution of baking soda and water (unless you are watching your salt intake for health reasons such as hypertension, pregnancy or nursing). You can also try antacids that are sold in myriads of brands and colors. They often work, but reportedly not for long. Other medications slow the stomach's production of its acid, but these are said to take a longer time to work—but they may last for a longer period of time.
If you are having repeated problems of heartburn, you really should see a doctor. Even if you feel confident that it's only a case of heartburn, it could be something like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Sometimes called acid reflux but even more serious condition that appears the same is heart related issue. Get advice before it gets worse.
You've got a lot of company when you've got heartburn. Rather than wondering what does heartburn feel like, just play it safe and get your doctor's advice and get it treated properly. It will be well worth it to not have to deal with the pain and inconvenience of heartburn.