How can you stop heartburn fast. What are the most effective over-the-counter medications for heartburn relief. When should you seek medical attention for persistent heartburn symptoms. What lifestyle changes can help prevent heartburn.

Understanding Heartburn: Causes and Symptoms

Heartburn is a common digestive issue characterized by a burning sensation in the chest, often extending to the throat. This discomfort occurs when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, a condition known as acid reflux. While occasional heartburn is normal, frequent episodes can significantly impact quality of life.

What triggers heartburn? Common causes include:

• Certain foods and beverages (e.g., spicy, fatty, or acidic foods)
• Overeating
• Lying down shortly after meals
• Obesity
• Pregnancy
• Smoking
• Stress

Recognizing heartburn symptoms is crucial for effective management. These may include:

• A burning sensation in the chest, often behind the breastbone
• Difficulty swallowing
• Regurgitation of food or sour liquid
• Chest pain, especially when lying down or bending over

Immediate Relief: Quick Fixes for Heartburn

When heartburn strikes, you want relief fast. Here are some strategies to alleviate symptoms quickly:

1. Over-the-Counter Medications

OTC medications can provide rapid relief from heartburn. Which options are most effective?

• Antacids: These neutralize stomach acid and offer immediate relief. Examples include calcium carbonate (Tums) and magnesium hydroxide (Milk of Magnesia).
• H2 Blockers: These reduce acid production and work within an hour. Famotidine (Pepcid) and ranitidine (Zantac) are common options.
• Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs): While they take longer to work, PPIs like omeprazole (Prilosec) provide long-lasting relief by decreasing acid production.

2. Natural Remedies

For those preferring non-medicinal approaches, several natural remedies may help:

• Baking soda mixed with water can neutralize stomach acid
• Chewing sugar-free gum increases saliva production, which can neutralize acid
• Aloe vera juice may reduce inflammation in the digestive tract
• Bananas and melons are alkaline fruits that may counteract stomach acid

3. Positional Changes

Simple changes in posture can provide quick relief:

• Stand up straight or sit upright to help prevent acid from flowing back into the esophagus
• Elevate your upper body when lying down by using a wedge pillow or raising the head of your bed

Long-Term Management: Lifestyle Changes to Prevent Heartburn

While quick fixes are helpful for immediate relief, preventing heartburn through lifestyle modifications is key to long-term management. What changes can make a significant difference?

1. Dietary Modifications

Adjusting your diet can dramatically reduce heartburn occurrences:

• Avoid trigger foods such as spicy, fatty, or acidic items
• Eat smaller, more frequent meals instead of large ones
• Avoid eating close to bedtime
• Limit alcohol and caffeine consumption

2. Weight Management

Excess weight, especially around the abdomen, can increase pressure on the stomach and promote acid reflux. Maintaining a healthy weight through balanced nutrition and regular exercise can significantly reduce heartburn symptoms.

3. Smoking Cessation

Smoking weakens the lower esophageal sphincter, facilitating acid reflux. Quitting smoking can improve overall digestive health and reduce heartburn frequency.

4. Stress Reduction

Stress can exacerbate heartburn symptoms. Implementing stress-management techniques such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises may help alleviate symptoms.

Clothing and Posture: Unexpected Factors in Heartburn Management

Did you know that your wardrobe and posture can influence heartburn? Here’s how:

1. Loose-Fitting Clothing

Tight clothes, especially around the waist, can put pressure on the stomach and promote acid reflux. Opting for looser, more comfortable clothing can help prevent heartburn.

2. Proper Posture

Maintaining good posture, especially after meals, can help keep stomach contents where they belong. Avoid slouching or reclining immediately after eating.

3. Sleeping Position

Elevating the head of your bed by 6-8 inches or using a wedge pillow can help prevent nighttime heartburn by using gravity to keep stomach acid in place.

When to Seek Medical Attention: Recognizing Serious Symptoms

While occasional heartburn is common, certain symptoms warrant medical attention. When should you consult a healthcare professional?

• Persistent heartburn that doesn’t respond to lifestyle changes or OTC medications
• Difficulty swallowing or painful swallowing
• Unexplained weight loss
• Persistent nausea or vomiting
• Chest pain or pressure (which could indicate a heart problem)
• Chronic cough or hoarseness associated with heartburn

If you experience these symptoms, it’s crucial to seek medical evaluation to rule out more serious conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or esophageal cancer.

Advanced Treatment Options: When Lifestyle Changes Aren’t Enough

For some individuals, lifestyle modifications and OTC medications may not provide sufficient relief. In these cases, what advanced treatment options are available?

1. Prescription Medications

Stronger versions of H2 blockers and PPIs are available by prescription. These can provide more potent and long-lasting relief for chronic heartburn sufferers.

2. Surgical Interventions

In severe cases, surgical options may be considered:

• Fundoplication: A procedure that strengthens the lower esophageal sphincter
• LINX device: A ring of tiny magnetic beads placed around the junction of the stomach and esophagus to prevent reflux

3. Endoscopic Treatments

Minimally invasive endoscopic procedures can help strengthen the lower esophageal sphincter or create barriers to reflux. These include:

• Stretta procedure: Uses radiofrequency energy to strengthen the lower esophageal sphincter
• TIF (Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication): Creates a valve between the stomach and esophagus to prevent reflux

The Role of Probiotics in Heartburn Management

Emerging research suggests that probiotics may play a role in managing heartburn and GERD. How can these beneficial bacteria help?

1. Balancing Gut Microbiome

Probiotics can help restore a healthy balance of gut bacteria, which may improve overall digestive function and reduce symptoms of acid reflux.

2. Reducing Inflammation

Some probiotic strains have anti-inflammatory properties that may help soothe the esophagus and stomach lining, potentially reducing heartburn symptoms.

3. Enhancing Digestion

By improving overall digestive function, probiotics may help reduce the likelihood of acid reflux and associated heartburn.

While more research is needed to fully understand the impact of probiotics on heartburn, incorporating probiotic-rich foods or supplements into your diet may be beneficial for some individuals.

Heartburn During Pregnancy: Special Considerations

Heartburn is a common complaint during pregnancy, especially in the later trimesters. What causes this increased prevalence, and how can expectant mothers manage symptoms safely?

Causes of Pregnancy-Related Heartburn

• Hormonal changes that relax the lower esophageal sphincter
• Increased abdominal pressure from the growing uterus
• Slowed digestion due to hormonal changes

Safe Management Strategies

Managing heartburn during pregnancy requires careful consideration to ensure the safety of both mother and baby. Safe approaches include:

• Eating smaller, more frequent meals
• Avoiding trigger foods
• Staying upright after meals
• Using pregnancy-safe antacids as recommended by a healthcare provider
• Wearing loose, comfortable clothing
• Sleeping with the upper body elevated

It’s crucial for pregnant women to consult with their healthcare provider before using any medications or supplements for heartburn relief.

By understanding the causes of heartburn and implementing these strategies for prevention and relief, most individuals can effectively manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life. Remember, persistent or severe heartburn should always be evaluated by a healthcare professional to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment.

How to Get Rid of Heartburn Fast

Heartburn can be an unpleasant and even painful symptom to experience. It is typically characterized by a burning sensation or discomfort in the chest, often behind the breastbone, which results from stomach acid flowing back into the esophagus. Fortunately, there are several simple methods for stopping heartburn in its tracks or reducing your chances of getting heartburn in the first place. Read on to learn how to get rid of heartburn fast. 

How To Stop Heartburn

The best way to beat heartburn is to lower your chances of experiencing it all together. By taking proactive steps to make lifestyle changes, you can avoid triggers that may exacerbate acid reflux, which may cause heartburn.

If you’re looking to decrease the frequency of heartburn and take control of your symptoms, there are a few helpful tips you can follow. These simple strategies can make a real difference in managing heartburn more effectively.

1. Maintain good eating habits

If you’re prone to experiencing heartburn, it’s wise to steer clear of trigger foods, especially those that have previously caused heartburn symptoms. Some examples of problematic foods include:

• Onions
• High-fat fried foods
• Citrus fruits like oranges
• Tomato-based products
• Alcoholic beverages

To lessen the likelihood of experiencing reflux or heartburn, it’s a good idea to avoid lying down immediately after eating. Wait two to three hours before lying down, and avoid heavy late-night meals. Opting for smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day decreases the chances of experiencing nighttime heartburn symptoms.

2. Consider weight loss

Losing weight can help lessen heartburn episodes. Studies have shown that being overweight increases abdominal pressure, which can cause stomach acid to reflux into the esophagus, causing the sensation of heartburn. Maintaining a healthy weight relieves extra pressure on the abdomen and helps prevent nagging heartburn symptoms.

3. Dress comfortably

Even your clothing choices can negatively affect your heartburn symptoms. It’s best to avoid tightfitting clothing as it adds pressure to the abdomen, increasing the risk of heartburn. Skipping tight belts and waistbands and opting for comfortable, loose clothing is a better choice.

4. Elevate the head of the bed

Elevating the head of your bed can help put an end to nighttime heartburn. The most effective approach is to place a wedge between your mattress and box spring or bed frame to achieve this. Relying on extra pillows is not recommended as they tend to shift around during the night and may not provide the necessary consistent head and upper body elevation.

When You Need Fast Relief

Over-the-counter and prescription medications can help relieve heartburn symptoms if you need immediate relief. These medications include antacids and acid blockers such as h3 blockers and proton pump inhibitors (PPI).

1. Antacids

Antacids like Pepto-Bismol and calcium carbonate neutralize stomach acid, promptly relieving heartburn symptoms. Antacids work right away, though they do not treat the underlying cause of heartburn.

2. h3 Blockers

h3 blockers such as cimetidine and famotidine reduce stomach acid production, delivering longer-lasting relief. They typically begin working within the hour and provide up to 12 hours of relief.

3. Proton pump inhibitors

PPIs like omeprazole and esomeprazole decrease stomach acid production and offer extended relief for heartburn. PPIs have a delayed onset of action and can take a few days to be effective, but they provide extended relief.

For severe cases of heartburn, a prescription may be required for more potent doses of antacid medications.

When To See a Doctor

You should see your doctor if you are experiencing persistent heartburn that doesn’t respond to lifestyle changes or medications or if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Difficulty swallowing
• Unintended weight loss
• Chest pain
• Worsening heartburn

Evaluating your symptoms to rule out more complicated conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) is essential.

If you are bothered by chronic heartburn symptoms, schedule an appointment today!

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Related:

• Everything you need to know about heartburn
• The Secret to Beating Heartburn Without MedicationThe Best Heartburn Tips You’ll Read Today
• Heartburn Medicine Options: What You Should Know

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What is Barrett’s Esophagus? | Barrett’s Esophagus Symptoms

Endoscopic views of Barrett’s Esophagus

Symptoms

Barrett’s esophagus alone has no signs or symptoms.  Because of its close connection with Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), symptoms of GERD are often present and include:

• Heartburn – A burning sensation that can run from your throat to the center of your chest
• Regurgitation of sour liquid or food
• Trouble swallowing (If you’re having trouble swallowing, seek care immediately)

 Risk Factors

Based on these risk factors and your medical/family history, your doctor may recommend screening for Barrett’s esophagus.

• Chronic Heartburn/Acid Reflux/GERD: Those who have chronic symptoms (more than five years) are more likely to develop Barrett’s esophagus.
• Age: Barrett’s esophagus is more common in middle-aged and older adults.  55 is the average age of diagnosis.
• Gender: Men are more likely to develop Barrett’s esophagus
• Ethnic Background: White and Hispanic populations are at higher risk than other populations.  Black and Asian populations have a lower risk of developing Barrett’s esophagus.
• Smoking: Current and past smokers are more likely to develop Barrett’s esophagus.

Diagnosis

A doctor may suspect Barrett’s esophagus by reviewing a patient’s medical history, current symptoms, and risk factors. To confirm the diagnosis, doctors perform an endoscopy.

An upper endoscopy is a test that allows a physician to see the inside of the esophagus and stomach using a small lighted tube. After examining the appearance of the esophagus, the doctor may remove small tissue samples (biopsies) to make the diagnosis.

The diagnosis can be challenging due to anatomical differences in patients. Because Barrett’s esophagus doesn’t affect all the tissue in your esophagus, it can also be difficult to detect in some patients.

Three degrees of tissue change

Pathologists, doctors who are experts at examining tissue samples, will help confirm the presence of abnormal, precancerous cell growth (dysplasia) in your esophagus. Samples are often examined by two different pathologists. At least one of them should have special expertise in gastrointestinal disorders.

Pathologists will grade the dysplasia into one of three categories:

• No dysplasia: Barrett’s esophagus is present, but precancerous changes are not found.
• Low-grade dysplasia: Small changes in cells are present
• High-grade dysplasia: Significant changes in cells are present.  High-grade dysplasia is often the precursor to esophageal cancer.

Treatment

Treating Barrett’s esophagus depends on your overall health and extent of dysplasia in your esophagus.

Regardless of the dysplasia amount (if any), the primary goal of treating Barrett’s esophagus is to stop the damage to the esophagus. In most cases, this means eliminating acid reflux.

Foods that can worsen reflux include:

• Acidic Juices like Orange and Tomato Juice
• Coffee / Tea
• Mint
• Alcohol
• Fatty foods

Behaviors that can increase acid reflux:

• Eating right before bed
• Lying down after eating
• Eating very large meals

Lifestyle and Home Remedies to reduce acid reflux:

• Maintain a healthy weight
• Quit smoking
• Raise the head of your bed: Place bricks or blocks under the head of your bed to elevate your head. About six inches is enough. This helps keep the acid in your stomach while you sleep.

Medications

Your doctor may prescribe medications that reduce the amount of acid in your stomach.  These medicines are called proton pump inhibitors, or PPIs. Some of the more common PPIs include:

• omeprazole  (Prilosec, Zegerid)
• lansoprazole  (Prevacid)
• pantoprazole  (Protonix)
• rabeprazole  (AcipHex)
• esomeprazole  (Nexium)
• dexlansoprazole  (Dexilant)

Some of these medications, like omeprazole and lansoprazole, are available over-the-counter.  You should discuss your signs and symptoms with a gastroenterologist if you have frequent heartburn or acid reflux.

 Complications

One potential complication of Barrett’s esophagus is that, over time, the abnormal esophageal lining can develop early precancerous changes. The early changes may progress to advanced precancerous changes, and finally to frank esophageal cancer. If undetected, this cancer can spread and invade the surrounding tissues.

However, progression to cancer is uncommon; studies that follow patients with Barrett’s esophagus reveal that only 0.5 percent of patients develop esophageal cancer per year. Furthermore, patients with Barrett’s esophagus appear to live just as long as people who are free of this condition. Patients often die of other causes before Barrett’s esophagus progresses to cancer.

Monitoring

For most people with Barrett’s esophagus, doctors recommend periodic screening endoscopies to look for signs of cancer.  This approach is called surveillance. Your doctor will help you determine the best level of surveillance based on your condition.

Treatment – No Dysplasia:

• Monitoring Endoscopy: Your doctor may recommend a monitoring endoscopy in one year, and then every 3 years after that if no abnormalities are found.
• GERD Treatment: Controlling acid reflux is important.  Lifestyle changes and medication can help reduce GERD symptoms.  This is helpful when doctors try to locate and grade dysplasia.

Treatment – Low-Grade Dysplasia

• Increased Medication: Those diagnosed with low-grade dysplasia are often asked to increase their dose of acid reducers (PPIs).
• Monitoring Endoscopy: Doctors most often recommend another endoscopy within six months to look for any changes.
• Endoscopic Resection – Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) uses an endoscope to remove dysplasia.

Treatment – High-Grade Dysplasia

High-grade dysplasia is often seen as a precursor to esophageal cancer.  Because of that risk, your doctor may recommend the following treatments:

• Endoscopic Resection – Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) uses an endoscope to remove dysplasia.  EMR may be a reasonable alternative to esophagectomy in some patients.
• Surgery/Esophagectomy – Complete removal of dysplasia, including all or part of the esophagus.  The remaining part of your esophagus will be attached to your stomach. This type of surgery also carries the highest risk of complications, which should be considered carefully with your doctor.  Your overall health, risk for cancer, and quality of life concerns should all be discussed beforehand.

Complications

Those with Barrett’s esophagus are at increased risk of developing esophageal cancer. The risk is very small, even among those with precancerous changes in the cells lining their esophagus. The vast majority of patients will not develop esophageal cancer.

 FAQ

Is Barrett’s Disease the same thing as Barrett’s Esophagus?

Many people who search for Barrett’s disease are indeed referring to Barrett’s Esophagus.

Heartburn – causes, how to treat.

12/15/2020

A huge number of people suffer from heartburn. According to various sources, from 60 to 70% of the total population of Russia are faced with this disease. So what is heartburn. Heartburn occurs when the acid in the stomach backs up into the esophagus (reflux). Normally, this should not happen. Between the stomach and esophagus is a sphincter valve that must contract. If it does not completely block the passage, the contents of the stomach are partially thrown into the esophagus. The walls of the stomach are lined with an epithelium that tolerates an acidic environment (PH-3), while the walls of the esophagus have a different structure and therefore the acid that enters the walls of the esophagus harms it.

How does heartburn manifest itself?

Approximately 40% of people with heartburn experience a burning sensation in the chest. There are those who feel bitterness in the mouth. Someone has an eructation and even a cough, sore throats …

Important! Sometimes heartburn can masquerade as angina pectoris, or maybe it really is a burning sensation in the chest – this is a heart disease.

Should heartburn be treated?

Heartburn must be treated. If you have symptoms of heartburn, you should contact a gastroenterologist. A persistently irritated esophagus can eventually lead to Barrett’s syndrome (precancerous condition), in 2% of cases it can even lead to cancer. Also, heartburn can be a symptom of stomach ulcers, gallbladder disorders, etc. In addition, heartburn, of course, affects the quality of life. A person is not comfortable playing sports, he cannot afford much from food and drinks.

What causes heartburn?

Coffee, alcohol, especially red wine, hot tea, kefir, citrus fruits, vinegar, fatty foods, spicy foods, overeating. In addition to drinks and food, stressful situations are a provocateur of heartburn.

Do folk remedies help with heartburn?

“Grandmother’s” means in the form of soda, milk, potato broth can be of help only occasionally, if the necessary medicines were not at hand. In fact, they do not cure, but only relieve symptoms. Moreover, they also harm the body. For example, soda contains a lot of sodium, which means that it will harm those suffering from hypertension, plus there is an extra load on the kidneys. Milk contains protein, which will contribute to even more acid production.

How to treat heartburn?

The first rule is that there should be no self-treatment! Patients are prescribed drugs – proton pump inhibitors. The ancestor of drugs was omeprazole. Later, many analogues appeared. All drugs ending in “prozol” reduce the acidity of the stomach. Preparations are prescribed strictly individually, after studying the results of the studies and taking into account the age and state of health of the patient!

If you suffer from heartburn, make an appointment with a gastroenterologist right now! Be healthy!

heartburn gastroenterologist GIT

Heartburn in the morning ⛑ morning heartburn symptoms

If the morning starts not with coffee, but with an unpleasant burning pain in the stomach or esophagus, this may indicate diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Morning heartburn can occur after a heavy dinner, a party with excessive alcohol consumption. But regular bouts of heartburn in the morning may indicate health problems and require examination.

What is heartburn

Heartburn is a very broad concept. These are sensations of discomfort, which can manifest themselves in different ways for everyone. People describe it as “burning”, “irritation”, some experience pain and nausea, they say that it bakes in the throat.

In medicine, heartburn is not considered a disease, but this condition may indicate the presence of other disorders. Unpleasant sensations usually occur after eating, but there is a special condition – heartburn in the morning. A person wakes up already with discomfort in the stomach and a “burning” throat.

The most common cause of heartburn is reflux, which is the reflux of stomach contents back into the esophagus. The mucous membrane of the esophagus is irritated by the acids of the gastric juice and heartburn occurs. Reflux disease in medical terminology is called GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). In addition to it, heartburn is caused by other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract: ulcers, gastritis, esophagitis, increased acidity of the stomach. With these pathologies, heartburn often occurs on an empty stomach and morning burning in the esophagus.

Heartburn in the morning: causes

Food enters the stomach through a kind of gate – the lower esophageal sphincter. These are multiple pleats that open and close like a flap. Gastric juice contains hydrochloric acid, ammonia, nitrogen-containing substances and digestive enzymes – these substances are responsible for the digestion of food. If the sphincter is relaxed, food is thrown back from the stomach along with acids that irritate the esophageal mucosa, from which it becomes inflamed, bakes and hurts.

Active production of gastric juice occurs during meals, as well as when the body wakes up, that is, in the morning.

If you skip breakfast, the stomach begins to “digest itself”, acids irritate its walls and heartburn sets in. Another point is a cup of morning coffee or some chocolate on an empty stomach. These are aggressor products, they activate the production of gastric juice and in themselves irritate the mucous membrane. These are common causes of heartburn in the morning. Gastrointestinal diseases increase acid secretion and relax the esophageal sphincter.

An unbalanced diet and disturbed daily routine contribute to the development of morning heartburn. Dinner after 19.00, and even more so at 22.00, is not a good solution. If you eat dinner before bed, the pressure on the sphincter in the supine position will be increased, and food will begin to be digested more slowly. This leads to reflux and heartburn. Some simply do not notice it at night, and in the morning it makes itself felt.

Signs of morning heartburn

Signs of heartburn in the morning are hard not to feel: a person gets up already with an unpleasant sensation in the stomach, often heartburn is intertwined with a feeling of hunger, but the discomfort disappears after a hearty breakfast.

Heartburn itself is a symptom in the morning. When it is supplemented by other conditions, this may indicate diseases of the internal organs:

• nausea and pain in the upper abdomen are signs of peptic ulcer;
• bloating appears with gastritis;
• increased acidity of gastric juice accompanies GERD;
• cough and perspiration, together with heartburn, may be due to diseases of the bronchi and lungs;
• Increasing burning behind the sternum is a common symptom of a heart attack.

Heartburn in the morning can occur in pregnant women.

Some symptoms are classified as “alarming” [1]:

• sudden weight loss;
• blood in stool;
• heartburn for more than 3 weeks;
• rapid feeling of fullness of the stomach.

If these symptoms occur, seek specialist advice.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of morning heartburn includes examinations aimed at identifying the underlying disease:

• analysis of gastric acidity;
• FGDS (fibrogastroduodenoscopy) – examination of the stomach with a probe or endoscope;
• laboratory tests – biochemical blood test, fecal analysis, determination of Helicobacter pylori;
• pH-metry – monitoring of daily changes in stomach acidity;
• endoscopy with contrast for difficult diagnosis of the disease [2];
• Esophagomanometry – measurement of pressure inside the esophagus.

Women with heartburn may be advised to take a pregnancy test in the morning (unless, of course, there are other signs of pregnancy).

Treatment

To quickly eliminate heartburn on an empty stomach, you need to have breakfast on time. Food should not be dense, but satisfying and nutritious. Heavy fats and high-calorie chocolate are best replaced with light cereals and fruits. In diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, it is recommended to eat oatmeal in the water, because it has a beneficial effect on the gastric mucosa.

Heartburn in the morning can be removed with antacids, which are salt-based preparations that neutralize the action of hydrochloric acid and increase the pH of gastric juice. For example, calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate act within a few minutes [3]. Rennie ^® is a preparation containing both of these components. It does not need to be taken with water, these are chewable tablets with a pleasant mint or orange flavor. Rennie ^® – tablets that begin to eliminate heartburn within 2 minutes. It is a drug with a favorable safety profile, even for pregnancy heartburn.