This Heartburn Treatment Guide explains what heartburn is, its diagnoses and treatment.

What Is Heartburn?

Heartburn or pyrosis is a painful or burning sensation in the esophagus. The pain is felt just below the breastbone and it is usually associated with regurgitation of gastric acid.

The burning sensation or pain often goes up in the chest and may also radiate to the neck, throat or angle of the jaw. Heartburn is also known as one of the causes of chronic cough. Sometimes it may even mimic asthma.

Despite what it is called, heartburn actually has nothing to do with the heart. It is so called heartburn because of the burning sensation felt on the breastbone where the heart is located. Although some heart problems do have a similar sensation to heartburn.

Compounding the confusion is the fact that hydrochloric acid from the stomach goes back up the esophagus. This is because of a problem with the cardiac sphincter. The cardiac sphincter is a valve which misleadingly comprises the word "cardiac", which is an adjective referring to the heart.

How Is Heartburn Diagnosed?

Ambulatory pH Monitoring

This is done by placing a probe through the nose into the esophagus to record the level of acidity in the lower esophagus. Since some degree of variation in acidity is normal, and small reflux events are relatively common, those monitors must be left in position for at least a 24-hour period to confirm the diagnosis of GERD.

This kind of monitoring is particularly helpful when the patient's symptoms can be correlated to episodes of increased esophageal acidity.

Upper Gastrointestinal (GI) Series

A series of x-rays of the upper digestive system are recorded after drinking a barium solution. These x-rays can demonstrate reflux of barium into the esophagus. This then suggests the possibility of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Manometry

In this test, a pressure sensor (manometer) is placed through the mouth into the esophagus. This sensor directly measures the pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter.

Endoscopy

The esophageal mucosa can be visualized directly by thin, lighted tube with a tiny camera attached (an endoscope) which is passed through the mouth to analize the condition of the esophagus and stomach.

In this way, indication of esophageal inflammation can be identified. Afterwards, biopsies can be taken if necessary.

With an endoscopy, a doctor is allowed to visually inspect the upper digestive track. This procedure may help to discover any additional damage to the tract that may not have been detected otherwise.

Biopsy

A small sample of tissue from the esophagus is taken. This is then analyzed to check for inflammation, cancer, or other problems.

The Heartburn Medication:

Antacids - work by neutralizing excess stomach acid. The stomach acid will still splash into the esophagus but since it will be neutralized, there will no burning sensation. This also leads to decreased or absent heartburn symptoms. Antacids provide fast relief of symptoms, but relief typically lasts for only 30-60 minutes.

Sodium bicarbonate - quickly neutralizes the acid that causes the pain. However, excess sodium intake is thought to raise blood pressure and cause other health problems.

H2-receptor antagonists - often called H2 blockers, H2-receptor antagonists work by decreasing the amount of acid the body releases into the stomach. H2s are systemic which means they require absorption into the bloodstream in order to work. H2s may often take 30 minutes or longer before they start working. Therefore, they are often taken to avoid heartburn rather than for fast relief of symptoms.

Alginates - work differently than antacids and H2 blockers. It forms a protective barrier in the stomach that prevents stomach acid from refluxing back up into the esophagus. Alginates provide faster relief than H2-receptor antagonists and PPIs, and longer-lasting relief than antacids.

Proton-pump inhibitors - called PPIs, are a kind of medications which can be effective for people who do not respond to antacid or acid blockers. Proton-pump inhibitors are systemic and directly block acid production in the stomach cells. In order to prevent heartburn, the medication disfigures and disables the proteins (proton pumps) that control the pH of the stomach. This then allows the body to digest them. Proton-pump inhibitors are not fast-acting, but provide long-lasting relief. PPIs are intended to be short-term medications only.

Restricting Diet As Part Of Heartburn Treatment:

Controlling your diet is very important. Approximately 90-95% of sufferers of heartburn or esophageal disorder can link their symptoms to specific foods. Therefore, it is important that heartburn sufferers control their diets as a way to treat their heartburn.

Avoid eating certain foods that relax the opening between the stomach and esophagus, especially before bedtime. Such foods are chocolate, peppermint, and chamomile tea.

Heartburn sufferers should choose the kinds of foods and drinks which have little risk of causing acid reflux, whereas some kinds of foods or drinks should be avoided as they are major heartburn triggers.

Specifically, it has been shown that fatty foods and caffeinated beverages can trigger the symptoms of heartburn.

Simple Tips For Heartburn Sufferers:

If heartburn strikes when lying down, it is always recommended to raise the upper body with the help of pillows, or sleep sitting up to provide relief.

Avoid pillows that will raise the head only as this places continuous strain on the neck and this does little for heartburn. Rather, place more pillows on the whole upper body.

Also, avoid tight clothing, specifically around the abdomen as this can increase the risk for heartburn. This puts pressure on the stomach which can cause the food and acids in the stomach to reflux to the LES.

Important Advice For Those Seeking For Heartburn Treatment:

For those people with serious or chronic heartburn, here is a proven solution that has worked for thousands of people --- THE HEARTBURN TREATMENT. However, this is ONLY for people who are seriously seeking to get rid of heartburn once and for all.