If you experience frequent heartburn, you may need to see a doctor to determine the cause of your condition. In many cases, lifestyle changes and medications can help you treat your condition. If your symptoms persist, however, you should see a gastroenterologist to diagnose the root cause and determine the best treatment. GERD is a chronic condition, so over-the-counter remedies may not be enough. Johns Hopkins Medicine offers personalized care and a variety of treatment options for patients suffering from GERD.
Symptoms
Heartburn is a common problem that can cause pain in the chest. The condition is caused by acid in the stomach backing up into the esophagus. The lower esophageal sphincter, or LES, tightens to keep the contents of the stomach from flowing back up. This reflux of acid into the esophagus causes heartburn, which is usually worse when you’re bending over or lying down.
People who suffer from heartburn often experience an intense burning sensation in their chest. They may even experience cold sweats or dizziness. These symptoms can be signs of a more serious heart condition. If these occur, it’s important to consult a doctor. You don’t want to ignore the problem or let it get any worse.
Heartburn symptoms can vary from mild to severe and can be triggered by overeating, stress, or medications. Many people have this condition, which causes a burning sensation in the chest and throat after meals. Some people experience it every day, while others have it only occasionally. Regardless of the cause, heartburn is a condition that affects millions of people throughout the United States.
Treatment
Heartburn is a painful sensation that can occur after eating large amounts of food. It can last for minutes or hours. It causes discomfort in the back of the throat and can lead to nausea or vomiting. Fortunately, lifestyle changes can help patients control symptoms until they can see a doctor. For instance, avoiding sour material and avoiding eating within two hours of bedtime can help reduce the severity of heartburn.
Nonprescription antacids are one option for treating heartburn. These medications can be taken as needed, and they can reduce the amount of acid in your stomach. Depending on your symptoms, you may also need to change your diet. Avoiding fatty foods, caffeine, and chocolate can help reduce your symptoms. However, if you are having recurring heartburn episodes, you may need to see a doctor.
If over-the-counter medications do not alleviate your symptoms, your doctor may prescribe a prescription medication that contains a proton pump inhibitor. This drug reduces the amount of acid in your stomach and is safe for most people. However, PPIs are not recommended for everyone with GERD, and are only effective when taken in low doses. In addition to causing side effects, PPIs may also interact with other medications.
Prescription medications
Fortunately, there are many options when it comes to prescription medications for heartburn. There are nonprescription and prescription medications that can help relieve the symptoms of heartburn and GERD. Nonprescription medications such as antacids can neutralize acid quickly, and they are available without a prescription. They can help relieve mild symptoms of heartburn and GERD, and they generally do not cause any side effects.
H2 blockers can also be prescribed, and these medications reduce the production of acid. While H2 blockers can relieve the pain of heartburn, they may not heal the esophagus as effectively as other medications. Therefore, doctors may recommend a combination of antacids and H2 blockers for optimal results. Typical H2 blockers include cimetidine (Tagamet), famotidine (Pepcid), and omeprazole (Esomeprazole). Prescription-strength versions of these medications are also available.
While most proton pump inhibitors are effective at treating heartburn, some of these drugs have side effects. Although they are considered safe, they can reduce calcium absorption, which can lead to osteoporosis and bone fractures. In addition, these drugs may be harmful if taken long-term. For this reason, it is important to speak to your doctor before starting a new medication.
Lifestyle changes
Lifestyle changes for heartburn may be effective for preventing and treating GERD. Studies have shown that changes in dietary habits and physical activity can decrease the frequency and severity of GERD symptoms. These changes can also reduce acid production, which is a key factor in GERD. However, there is still a need for larger prospective controlled trials before lifestyle changes can be recommended definitively for the treatment of GERD.
Lifestyle changes for heartburn are best made before attempting any other form of treatment, such as prescription medication. Although it can be difficult to make these changes all at once, it is important to focus on avoiding the foods that trigger the occurrence of heartburn in the first place. Lifestyle changes are important to prevent GERD symptoms, and they are usually the first step towards achieving healthy digestion.
Lifestyle changes for heartburn can include making dietary changes and stopping smoking. Smoking has been shown to weaken the esophageal sphincter, so quitting can help alleviate GERD symptoms. Additionally, sleeping on an incline has been shown to reduce the symptoms associated with GERD. For mild GERD, you can also try using antacids such as omeprazole and famotidine.
Hiatal hernia
Hiatal hernia is a condition that occurs when a portion of the stomach passes through the opening of the diaphragm. This opening creates an area where stomach acid can be held. In severe cases, a doctor may recommend surgery. This procedure will pull the entire stomach back down into the abdomen and may also repair the esophageal sphincter.
Hiatal hernia is a common condition that affects about 15 percent of pregnant women. This condition can also be a symptom of heartburn. Symptoms of hiatal hernia are often confused with chest pain associated with cardiovascular diseases or heart attacks. To determine if your chest pain is from a hiatal hernia, you may want to consult a doctor or a gastroenterologist.
A hiatal hernia can be mild or severe, but it can lead to other health problems. In extreme cases, you may need surgery to repair the hiatal hernia.
Smoking
Smoking causes heartburn because it slows the digestive process, which in turn prolongs the time it takes to digest food. This can lead to increased acid production in the stomach, which can exacerbate heartburn symptoms. Additionally, smoking also increases the production of bile salts, which can move from the intestine to the stomach and increase acid levels.
The main culprit in the production of acid is nicotine. Smokers have less saliva, which is necessary to neutralize stomach acid and fight acid reflux. The lack of saliva causes the stomach acid to splash back into the esophagus, resulting in heartburn. Smokers also have weaker lower esophageal sphincters, which decreases their ability to hold back stomach acids. This means that GERD sufferers are more likely to experience acid reflux.
The lower esophageal sphincter is a muscular valve at the bottom of the esophagus. When the sphincter fails to function properly, it allows stomach contents to reflux back into the esophagus and cause a burning sensation in the chest. Smokers have also been found to have decreased healing of gastric ulcers.
Esophageal pH monitoring
Esophageal pH monitoring is a procedure that measures the acid content of the esophagus. It is carried out through a small, wearable probe. The probe is attached to a small recorder that the patient can carry around their waist or over their shoulder. The pH probe can track the acid content of the esophagus for up to 24 hours. During the procedure, patients may be asked to refrain from eating or drinking foods that increase acidity. Patients are also required to refrain from taking a bath and may have to avoid using sponge baths. The results of this test are used to determine the appropriate treatment for the patient.
Esophageal pH monitoring is a useful tool for determining the severity of heartburn. If the acid content of the esophagus is too high, it can lead to a serious condition known as GERD. The symptoms of GERD are uncomfortable and can damage the esophagus. This test can help diagnose GERD and determine the effectiveness of treatment for GERD.
The pH of the esophagus is normally close to 7.0. However, when it falls below this level, the condition is characterized as gastroesophageal reflux disease. The pH level below 4.0 is known as the nadir, and it occurs in less than 30 seconds. Below this threshold, pepsin, the main proteolytic enzyme in the stomach, no longer has any effect. Therefore, pH below 4.0 is considered the most important parameter in determining the severity of GERD.