Heartburn A.K.A Acid Reflux

What is it?

Heartburn aka acid reflux occurs when the ring of muscle (sphincter) between the entrance of the stomach and the lower oesophagus (throat) doesn’t shut properly and so stomach acid leaks up into the throat. Unlike the stomach that has a protective lining the throat has nothing to protect it from the acid  and thus the acid causes irritation which can be very unpleasant.

What causes it?

·       Pregnancy

·       Being overweight

·       Wearing tight clothes (waist trainer wearers beware)

·       Smoking

·       Eating spicy foods (jollof rice and pepper chicken lovers beware, talking to myself here)

·       Certain foods like tomatoes, fatty food, coffee, beans.

What does it look like?

·       Burning pain that moves from your stomach to your chest or up into your throat or even your mouth leaving a very unpleasant taste.

·       Bloating

·       Burping

·       Nausea

·       Hiccups

·       Dysphagia i.e. narrowing of your throat which feels like there’s food stuck in your throat.

How do I get rid of it without meds?

·       Eat about five small meals over the course of the day. Emphasis on the word small, so this is not an excuse to overeat.

·       Don’t inhale your food. Take your time, savor and chew your food properly before swallowing and washing it down with a drink.

·       Don’t eat late at night or just before going to bed. If you can’t help eating late then lie on your left side or prop your head up on an extra pillow.

·       Stop smoking

·       Don’t try to lose weight, just do it.

Tried without meds but it’s still there?

·       Try an antacid like Rennie or Tums. This will neutralize the acid and provide fast relief.

·       Try an alginate like Gaviscon. This forms a raft that floats on top of the stomach and stops the acid leaving the stomach. They provide fast relief and come in both liquid and tablet.

·       Try H2-antagonists like Zantac 75 and Pepcid two. These reduce the amount of acid your body produces. they do provide fast relief but longer lasting relief.

·       Try proton pump inhibitors like Zanprol (omeprazole), Pantoloc control (pantoprazole), Nexium (esomeprazole) or Zoton (lansoprazole). These work in a similar way to the H2 antagonists but are more effective.

Note – You should always try the medication free route first and only if they have not helped then take medication but for only short term and stop once the symptoms have been relieved. I recommend maximum use of one week and if after a week and you find you there is not improvement then contact you doctor to make sure nothing more sinister is going on like an ulcer.

Copyright June's Secrets 2015