Occasional Heartburn
There are many causes of heartburn, including obesity and smoking. Occasional heartburn is normal and is rarely a significant cause for concern. Recurrent acid reflux results in the diagnosis of. Heartburn is actually a symptom of GERD. An occasional episode of heartburn by itself is not necessarily indicative of a medical problem. Heartburn, that has you reaching for over the counter remedies more than twice per week, should be seen by your Carolina Digestive physician.
Heartburn is a burning sensation in your chest, just behind your breastbone. Technically called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), heartburn occurs when stomach contents back up into your esophagus. Sour taste and the sensation of food coming back into your mouth may accompany the sensation. Heartburn usually happens after you've eaten a meal, and it may occur at night. The pain usually worsens when you're lying down or bending over.
Sep 29, 2020 Occasional heartburn is not usually a cause for concern. However, recurrent heartburn may be a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In people with GERD, stomach acid frequently leaks. Occasional heartburn may be remedied through lifestyle changes The runner-up image came from Matt MacGregor Sharp, a PhD student at the University of Southampton.
Why does food back up into your esophagus? Normally, a strong band of muscle (lower esophageal sphincter) closes off the bottom of the esophagus and opens to allow food and liquid to flow down into your stomach. Then it closes again. If the muscle relaxes abnormally or becomes weakened, stomach contents can wash back up (reflux), irritating the esophagus.
Occasional heartburn is common and no cause for alarm. Most people manage the discomfort on their own. More frequent heartburn that interferes with your daily routine may be a symptom of something more serious that requires assistance from your doctor.
To avoid or minimize the effects of heartburn, you should:
- Maintain a healthy weight.
Excess pounds put pressure on your abdomen, pushing up your stomach and causing acid to back up into your esophagus. If your weight is healthy, maintain it. If you are overweight or obese, work to lose weight slowly — no more than 1 or 2 pounds (0.5 to 1 kilogram) a week. Ask your doctor for help in devising a weight-loss strategy that will work for you. - Avoid tight-fitting clothing.
Clothes that fit tightly around your waist put pressure on your abdomen and the lower esophageal sphincter. - Avoid foods and drinks that trigger heartburn.
Everyone has specific triggers. Common triggers, such as fatty or fried foods, tomato sauce, alcohol, chocolate, mint, garlic, onion and caffeine, can make heartburn worse. Avoid foods you know will trigger your heartburn. - Eat smaller meals.
Avoid overeating by eating smaller meals. - Don't lie down after a meal.
Wait at least three hours after eating before lying down or going to bed. - Elevate the head of your bed.
If you regularly experience heartburn at night or while trying to sleep, put gravity to work for you. Place wood or cement blocks under the feet of your bed so that the head end is raised by 6 to 9 inches. If it's not possible to elevate your bed, you can insert a wedge between your mattress and box spring to elevate your body from the waist up. Wedges are available at drugstores and medical supply stores. Raising your head with additional pillows is not effective. - Try over-the-counter antacids occasionally.
These products can neutralize stomach acid temporarily and relieve mild heartburn. However, prolonged or excessive use of antacids containing magnesium can cause diarrhea. Calcium- or aluminum - based products can lead to constipation. - Don't smoke.
Smoking decreases the lower esophageal sphincter's ability to function properly.
Know when to see a health care provider
Seek immediate help if you experience severe chest pain or pressure, especially when combined with other signs and symptoms such as pain in the arm or jaw, or difficulty breathing. Chest pain may be a symptom of a heart attack. Make an appointment with your doctor if:
- Heartburn occurs more than twice a week.
- Symptoms persist despite use of over-the-counter medications.
- You have difficulty swallowing.
- You have persistent nausea or vomiting.
- You have weight loss because of poor appetite or difficulty eating.
Read more about self-management for heartburn.
This article is written by Mayo Clinic staff. Find more health and medical information on mayoclinic.org.
- Heartburn and GERD
What is heartburn?
Most people describe heartburn as a burning sensation in the center of the chest behind the breast bone. It may radiate upward toward the throat. Heartburn is usually caused by acid reflux in the esophagus.
The lining of the esophagus is much more sensitive to acid than the stomach, which is why the burning sensation is felt. In people with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), persistent heartburn can be painful, can disrupt daily activities, and can awaken a person at night.
Is heartburn dangerous?
Heartburn is a symptom. It is very common; it is estimated that over 44% of adult Americans have heartburn at least once a month. Nevertheless, if heartburn occurs on a regular basis, the acid that causes heartburn has the potential to injure the lining of the esophagus. It can cause ulceration, which may cause discomfort or even bleeding.
Stricture (narrowing of the esophagus caused by acid, which leads to scar formation) can also result from chronic and frequent acidic reflux. People with stricture have difficulty swallowing food.
Severity, frequency, or intensity of symptoms cannot distinguish between patients with or without erosive GERD. However, heartburn that occurs
- more frequently than once a week,
- becomes more severe, or
- occurs at night and wakes a person from sleep,
may be a sign of a more serious condition and consultation with a physician is advised.
Atypical symptoms such as hoarseness, wheezing, chronic cough or non-cardiac chest pain may also need to be evaluated by a physician for GERD as a cause. Even occasional heartburn – if it has occurred for a period of five years or more, or is associated with dysphagia – may signal an association with a more serious condition.
People with longstanding chronic heartburn are at a greater risk for complications including stricture or a potentially pre-cancerous disease that involves a cellular change in the esophagus called Barrett’s esophagus.
When are over-the-counter preparations appropriate to treat heartburn?
Multiple preparations are available without a prescription to treat occasional heartburn. These include:
- antacids, which neutralize acid (e.g., sodium bicarbonate, calcium carbonate, aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide);
- alginic acids (e.g., Gaviscon, Foamicon), which form a foam barrier to reflux; and
- low-dose H2 blockers (e.g., Pepcid, Tagamet, Zantac, Axid), which reduce acid production – and are available in higher doses by prescription to treat GERD.
These medications are useful to relieve intermittent heartburn, particularly if brought on occasionally by foods or various activities.
What Causes Occasional Heartburn
Antacids and alginic acids give the most rapid relief. The H2 blockers give more sustained relief and are most useful if taken prior to an activity known to bring on heartburn, like eating spicy foods.
Prilosec OTC, Zegerid OTC, and Prevacid 24HR are proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) now available over-the-counter. These are far more powerful than the other medications mentioned above. They are recommended to be taken daily for 14 days. They are not intended to be taken on an as needed basis. If the symptoms are not improved or if they recur after stopping the PPI, one should see a doctor.
Best Antacid For Occasional Heartburn
Over-the-counter preparations provide only temporary symptom relief. They do not prevent recurrence of symptoms or allow an injured esophagus to heal. They should not be taken regularly as a substitute for prescription medicines – they may be hiding a more serious condition. If needed regularly, for more than two weeks, consult a physician for a diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Is Occasional Heartburn Normal
Adapted from IFFGD Publication: GERD Questions and Answers. Revised 2010 by Ronnie Fass, MD, Chair, Division of GI and Hepatology, Metro Health Medical Center, Cleveland, OH. Original Contributors: Joel E. Richter, MD, Philip O. Katz, MD, and J. Patrick Waring, M.D. Editor: William F. Norton, International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders, Milwaukee, WI.