Heartburn and Indigestion

If you have ever felt a gnawing, burning sensation in your chest or throat after eating a large or greasy meal, then you probably know the discomfort of heartburn.

What causes Heartburn?

Heartburn is a common symptom, caused by stomach contents spilling back up into the oesophagus. The stomach has a lining to protect it from acid, but the oesophagus does not. There is supposed to be a valve located where the stomach and oesophagus join, called the lower oesophageal sphincter valve, or L.E.S. When the L.E.S. malfunctions or is damaged, it doesn’t close properly to keep the contents down in the stomach where they belong.

What are the symtoms?

For those who have gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, the backflow of acidic stomach contents can be ongoing. Chronic acid reflux symptoms include heartburn, a sensation of food moving up the throat or into the mouth, a bitter or sour taste in the mouth, persistent sore throat, hoarseness, chronic coughing, difficult or painful swallowing, asthma, unexplained chest pain, bad breath, a feeling of a lump in the throat, and an uncomfortable feeling of fullness after meals.

In more severe cases of untreated GERD, permanent damage can occur to the teeth, as the harsh stomach acid erodes tooth enamel. Damage can also occur in the oesophagus, larynx, mouth, or any part of the upper digestive tract that is regularly exposed to acidic stomach contents.

How common is this condition?

GERD is very common, affecting approximately 13-29% of People. The good news is that with the proper combination of lifestyle changes and medications, it is possible to manage symptoms and get relief. Dietary changes, while unable to cure GERD, can reduce symptoms.

Causes and treatments

Fatty or spicy foods, alcohol, and caffeine, tend to worsen symptoms, but everyone is different, so pay attention to what you eat, and avoid foods that make you feel worse. You should also reduce meal size, as smaller, more frequent meals cause less acid reflux than large meals. Maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding smoking, and reducing the amount you eat before bed can help ease reflux symptoms. While sleeping, use gravity to help keep stomach acid in the stomach by propping up the head of your mattress or bed frame. Don’t just pile on the pillows though, because this can cause neck and back pain.

These changes are a great starting point, but many people with GERD require further treatment. There are two main approaches to treating GERD with medications: neutralising acid and blocking its production.

Over-the-counter medications are useful for neutralising acid. These antacids can provide quick, temporary, or partial relief but they do not prevent heartburn. These can be found HERE.