-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
Sender: [email protected]
Date: Thu, 10 May 2012 21:46:25
Subject: Chumma:*) HEARTBURN HEALTH EDUCATION DINESH VORA
HEARTBURN
HEALTH EDUCATION
DINESH VORA
[1]
WHAT IS HEARTBURN?
Despite its name, heartburn doesn't affect the heart. Heartburn is a
burning feeling in the lower chest, along with a sour or bitter taste in the
throat and mouth. It usually occurs after eating a big meal or while lying
down. The feeling can last for a few minutes or a few hours.
[2]
WHAT CAUSES HEARTBURN?
***
IT IS CALLED “REFLUX”
When you eat, food passes from your mouth down a tube (about 10 inches
long in most people) called the esophagus. To enter the stomach, the food must
pass through an opening between the esophagus and stomach. This opening
acts like a gate to allow food to pass into the stomach.
Usually, this opening closes as soon as food passes through. But if it
doesn't close all the way, acid from your stomach can get through the opening
and into your esophagus. This is called reflux. Stomach acid can irritate
the esophagus and cause heartburn.
Hiatal hernia can also cause heartburn. Hiatal hernia is a condition in
which part of the stomach is pushed up through the diaphragm (the muscle wall
between the stomach and chest) and into the chest. Sometimes this causes
heartburn.
[3]
WHAT FACTORS ADD TO HEARTBURN?
Many things can make heartburn worse. Heartburn is most common after
overeating, when bending over or when lying
down. Pregnancy, stress and certain foods can also make heartburn worse.
The box below lists other things that can
aggravate heartburn symptoms.
[4]
THINGS THAT CAN MAKE HEARTBURN WORSE?
* Cigarette smoking
* Coffee (both regular and decaffeinated) and other drinks that
contain caffeine
* Alcohol
* Carbonated drinks
* Citrus fruits
* Tomato products
* Chocolate, mints or peppermints
* Fatty foods or spicy foods (such as pizza, chili and curry)
* Onions
* Lying down too soon after eating
* Being overweight or obese
* Aspirin or ibuprofen (one brand name: Motrin)
* Certain medicines (such as sedatives and some medicines for high
blood pressure).
[5]
CAN HEARTBURN BE SERIOUS?
If you only have heartburn now and then, it's probably not serious.
However, if you have heartburn frequently, it can lead to esophagitis (an
inflamed lining of the esophagus). If esophagitis becomes severe, your
esophagus
might narrow and you might have bleeding or trouble swallowing.
If you get more than occasional heartburn, it may be a symptom of acid
reflux disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), an inflamed stomach
lining (gastritis), hiatal hernia or peptic ulcer.
[6]
WHAT CAN I DO TO FEEL BETTER?
You might be able to avoid heartburn by making some changes in your
lifestyle. The box below lists some tips on how to prevent heartburn.
[7]
TIPS ON PREVENTING HEARTBURN:
* Try to eat at least 2 to 3 hours before lying down. If you take
naps, try sleeping in a chair.
* If you smoke, quit.
* Lose weight if you're overweight.
* Don't overeat.
* Eat high-protein, low-fat meals.
* Avoid tight clothes and tight belts.
* Avoid foods and other things that give you heartburn.
[8]
WHAT IF MY SYMPTOMS GET WORSE?
If lifestyle changes and antacids don't help your symptoms, talk with your
doctor. Your doctor may want you to take prescription medicine or schedule
you for some tests.
Tests might include X-rays to check for ulcers, a pH test to check for
acid in the esophagus, or an endoscopy to check for other conditions. During
an endoscopy, your doctor looks into your stomach through a long, thin tube
which is inserted down your esophagus. Your doctor may also check for H.
pylori, bacteria that can cause ulcers.
[9]
WHAT ABOUT MEDICINES FOR HEARTBURN?
Several kinds of medicine can be used to treat heartburn. Antacids
neutralize the acid that your stomach makes. For most people, antacids that
you
can get without a prescription (over-the-counter) give fast, short-term
relief. However, if you use antacids too much, they can cause diarrhea or
constipation. Look for antacids that contain both magnesium hydroxide and
aluminum hydroxide. (One causes constipation while the other causes diarrhea
so
they counteract each other.) Some brands of antacids include Maalox, Mylanta
and Riopan. Follow the directions on the package.
H2 blockers (some brand names: Pepcid, Tagamet, Zantac) reduce the amount
of acid your stomach makes. Several are available without a prescription.
Other medicines, such as omeprazole (brand name: Prilosec) and
lansoprazole (brand name: Prevacid), also reduce how much acid the stomach
makes.
Metoclopramide (brand name: Reglan) reduces acid reflux. To find out what
medicine is right for you, talk with your doctor.
[10]
IS HEARTBURN ASSOCIATED WITH
HEART ATTACKS?
No. But sometimes pain in the chest may be mistaken for heartburn when
it's really a sign of heart disease. If you have any of the symptoms in the
box below, call your doctor.
[11]
CALL YOUR DOCTOR IF:
* You have trouble swallowing or pain when swallowing.
* You're vomiting blood.
* Your stools are bloody or black.
* You're short of breath.
* You're dizzy or lightheaded.
* You have pain going into your neck and shoulder.
* You break out in a sweat when you have pain in your chest.
* You have heartburn often (more than 3 times a week) for more than
2 weeks.
HEARTBURN
HEALTH EDUCATION
DINESH VORA
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