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McKesson Clinical Reference Systems: Women's Health Advisor 2002.2
Spanish version
Illustration
Heartburn
What is heartburn?
Heartburn refers to the symptoms you feel when acids in
your stomach flow backward into the esophagus. The
esophagus is the tube that carries food from the back of
your mouth to your stomach.
Heartburn, also called gastroesophageal reflux or GERD, is a
common problem. Despite its name, it has nothing to do with
the heart.
How does it occur?
At the bottom of the esophagus is a ringlike muscle called
the lower esophageal sphincter. When you swallow food, this
muscular ring opens to let the food pass into the stomach.
The ring then closes to prevent the stomach contents from
going back into the esophagus. When this sphincter muscle
is not working properly, stomach acid and food flow backward
into the esophagus. Because the esophagus does not have the
protective lining that the stomach has, the acid causes
pain.
What are the symptoms?
The main symptom of heartburn is a burning pain in the lower
chest, usually close to the bottom of the breastbone.
Other symptoms you may have are:
- acid or sour taste in your mouth
- belching and the sensation of bloating or fullness of the
stomach.
These symptoms tend to occur after very large meals and
especially with activity such as bending or lifting after
meals. The symptoms may be made worse by lying down or by
wearing tight clothing.
Heartburn is very common during the last few months of
pregnancy. The weight of the baby pushes on the stomach and
can cause the sphincter to allow acid to flow back into the
esophagus.
How is it diagnosed?
Usually heartburn can be diagnosed from your medical
history.
If there is any question about the diagnosis, the following
tests allow your health care provider to check for ulcers or
other problems that might cause your symptoms:
- barium swallow
- complete upper GI (gastrointestinal) barium x-ray study
- upper endoscopy, a procedure in which a thin flexible
tube with a tiny camera is placed in your mouth and down
into your stomach so your provider can see your
esophagus.
How is it treated?
To help prevent heartburn you can:
- Try to not put a lot of pressure on the sphincter muscle.
Eating light meals, wearing loose clothing, and losing
any excess weight will help.
- Take nonprescription antacids (tablets or liquid) after
meals and at bedtime.
- Avoid substances likely to make symptoms worse, for
example, alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, aspirin, acidic
food and drinks (orange juice), and spicy foods.
- Raise the head of your bed or use more than one pillow so
your head is higher than your stomach. This may allow
gravity to help reduce symptoms.
If the simple measures described above do not relieve the
symptoms, your health care provider may prescribe
medicine. The prescription medicines help reduce stomach
acid. They also help stomach emptying.
How long will the effects last?
Heartburn symptoms are usually relieved by treatment in just
a few days. However, the symptoms may recur from time to
time, especially if you gain weight or increase your use of
nicotine, alcohol, or caffeine, or if you eat more spicy
foods.
What can be done to help prevent heartburn?
The best prevention is to maintain a normal body weight, eat
a healthy diet, and avoid substances that seem to cause
heartburn.
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