“What could be causing heartburn, and what are the treatment options?”
I have persistent heartburn. What could be causing this, and what are the treatment options?
4 Answers
DoctorGastroenterologist
Heartburn occurs when stomach acid refluxes up into the distal esophagus. The sphincter between the stomach and esophagus may be weak or it relaxes frequently for this to happen.
There are many treatments available but this discussion is beyond the scope of this forum.
See this website for some guidance: https://gastro.org/clinical-guidance/management-of-gastroesophageal-reflux-disease-gerd/
There are many treatments available but this discussion is beyond the scope of this forum.
See this website for some guidance: https://gastro.org/clinical-guidance/management-of-gastroesophageal-reflux-disease-gerd/
Persistent heartburn can be problematic. First step in helping to alleviate heartburn is to reduce the contributing factors to the issue. 1. Avoid spicy foods. 2. Reduce coffee intake. Coffee increases acid production in the stomach which can worsen heartburn. 3. Avoid sleeping/laying flat within 1-2 hour of eating or drinking. 4. Avoid tight belts. Belts can be restrictive especially if they are too tight. 6. You may need an endoscopy to see if you have a stomach ulcer/gastritis (inflammation of the stomach). Heart burn can be a sign of heart attack also. Women who have heart attacks can present with heartburn vs typical chest pain with radiation down the arm. You should always contact your primary provider for further evaluation and workup.
Heartburn symptoms occur when stomach acid reflux into the lower esophagus happens. This happens when the stomach is full and distended. Then the tight muscle at the esophagus- stomach junction is pushed open for more minutes. The esophagus does not have acid-resistant lining like the stomach has. Thus it is much more irritable. The acid burn can cause ulcerations there. Remedies include smaller portions of food, avoiding chunky foods, swallowing liquids between bites, avoiding alcoholic drinks, avoiding spicy foods, and taking acid blockers or acid inhibitors or buffer agents. Get Outlook for iOS<https://aka.ms/o0ukef>
Persistent heartburn can be caused by several factors, and it's important to identify the underlying cause for effective treatment. Common causes include:
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): This is a chronic condition where stomach acid or bile irritates the esophagus, causing symptoms like heartburn, regurgitation, and chest pain.
Dietary factors: Certain foods and drinks can trigger heartburn, including spicy foods, citrus, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, and high-fat meals.
Obesity: Excess weight can put pressure on the stomach, causing acid to back up into the esophagus.
Hiatal hernia: A condition where part of the stomach pushes up into the diaphragm, which can lead to acid reflux and heartburn.
Pregnancy: Hormonal changes during pregnancy can relax the lower esophageal sphincter, allowing acid to escape into the esophagus.
Smoking: Smoking can weaken the esophageal sphincter, increasing the likelihood of acid reflux.
Medications: Some medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), aspirin, and certain blood pressure medications, can irritate the stomach lining and contribute to heartburn.
Treatment options:
Lifestyle changes:
Avoid trigger foods and drinks.
Eat smaller meals and avoid eating close to bedtime.
Maintain a healthy weight and quit smoking.
Raise the head of your bed to prevent acid from traveling back into your esophagus while sleeping.
Antacids: Over-the-counter antacids (e.g., Tums, Maalox) can provide quick relief by neutralizing stomach acid.
H2 blockers: Medications like ranitidine or famotidine reduce stomach acid production and can help with long-term relief.
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs): Medications like omeprazole or lansoprazole block acid production more effectively and are often used for frequent heartburn or GERD.
Prescription medications: If over-the-counter medications aren't effective, a doctor may prescribe stronger versions of antacids, H2 blockers, or PPIs, or recommend other treatments like prokinetics to help with digestion.
If heartburn persists or worsens, it's important to see a healthcare provider to rule out other conditions like ulcers or esophageal damage and to determine the most appropriate treatment.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): This is a chronic condition where stomach acid or bile irritates the esophagus, causing symptoms like heartburn, regurgitation, and chest pain.
Dietary factors: Certain foods and drinks can trigger heartburn, including spicy foods, citrus, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, and high-fat meals.
Obesity: Excess weight can put pressure on the stomach, causing acid to back up into the esophagus.
Hiatal hernia: A condition where part of the stomach pushes up into the diaphragm, which can lead to acid reflux and heartburn.
Pregnancy: Hormonal changes during pregnancy can relax the lower esophageal sphincter, allowing acid to escape into the esophagus.
Smoking: Smoking can weaken the esophageal sphincter, increasing the likelihood of acid reflux.
Medications: Some medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), aspirin, and certain blood pressure medications, can irritate the stomach lining and contribute to heartburn.
Treatment options:
Lifestyle changes:
Avoid trigger foods and drinks.
Eat smaller meals and avoid eating close to bedtime.
Maintain a healthy weight and quit smoking.
Raise the head of your bed to prevent acid from traveling back into your esophagus while sleeping.
Antacids: Over-the-counter antacids (e.g., Tums, Maalox) can provide quick relief by neutralizing stomach acid.
H2 blockers: Medications like ranitidine or famotidine reduce stomach acid production and can help with long-term relief.
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs): Medications like omeprazole or lansoprazole block acid production more effectively and are often used for frequent heartburn or GERD.
Prescription medications: If over-the-counter medications aren't effective, a doctor may prescribe stronger versions of antacids, H2 blockers, or PPIs, or recommend other treatments like prokinetics to help with digestion.
If heartburn persists or worsens, it's important to see a healthcare provider to rule out other conditions like ulcers or esophageal damage and to determine the most appropriate treatment.
