Feel the Burn
Feeling the Burn
There it is again. That uncomfortable “on fire” sensation you feel in your abdomen and chest after you eat certain foods or a big meal. Sometimes it’s accompanied by a sour taste in your mouth, nausea, burping and/or bloating. You’re experiencing a problem that millions of Americans share — heartburn.
Basically, heartburn is a form of indigestion that occurs when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus, irritating the lining. Many adults experience heartburn at least once a month. Others suffer from its more severe cousin, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) commonly called acid reflux, every day.
Some causes of heartburn include certain foods (such as fried and fatty foods, coffee, alcohol, chocolate and peppermint); eating large meals or too close to bedtime; stress; certain medications; hiatal hernia; smoking; and restrictive clothing.
Milder heartburn issues can often be treated successfully by taking one or more of these simple steps:
• Change your diet — eliminate foods that trigger heartburn symptoms, eat smaller meals, do not eat close to bedtime.
• Lose weight — being overweight can put increased pressure on the stomach, increasing the chance for heartburn. Even losing just 5 to 10 percent of your excess weight can result in fewer heartburn episodes.
• Stop smoking.
• Find ways to reduce stress in your life, such as getting regular exercise and sleep, eating balanced meals and practicing stress reduction techniques.
• Ask your pharmacist or physician to review your medications to determine if any are the cause of your heartburn.
• Try over-the-counter remedies. Antacids such as Maalox and Tums neutralize stomach acid to soothe the stomach and reduce pain. H2 blockers like Pepcid AC actually block the acid; some of these also contain an antacid to neutralize acid. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as Prevacid and Prilosec OTC reduce acid by shutting down many of your stomach’s acid “pumps.”
Chronic acid reflux can lead to esophageal cancer, ulcers or a variety of digestive health issues. “If you’re experiencing severe symptoms more than once a week, it’s important to see your doctor,” advises Dr. Tammy Hawkins. “You may require a prescription-strength PPI or other medication to effectively control stomach acid.”
Your local Concord Pharmacy stocks a wide variety of over-the-counter and prescription medications for the treatment of heartburn and acid reflux. For a list of our locations, click here.