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Imagine- someone has just finished dinner and taking a stroll in the nearby park. Suddenly, there is a burning sensation in the chest and a foul taste in the tongue. It is quite uncomfortable, isn't it? This is what heartburn feels like.
Also known as acid reflux, heartburn is due to the stomach contents travelling back into the body's feeding tube called the oesophagus.
The burning sensation is caused by the stomach acid accompanying the food. It is not always pathological.
Occasional heartburn is not that uncommon, especially if the diet contains acidic or rich ingredients. Pregnancy is another physiological condition in which extra abdominal pressure may push the food and acid back from the stomach.
Sometimes, however, heartburn indicates underlying disease, e.g., gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD). These patients suffer from more frequent and possibly severe heartburn.
Heartburn can be manifested in different ways. It might be a simple warm sensation in the chest or a more pronounced burning feeling. A foul and bitter taste in the mount or associated nausea is not uncommon.
This is a self-limiting condition. Even if we do nothing, it may go away in a few minutes to hours. Generally, once the food is moved out of the stomach, there is nothing left to go back into the oesophagus. This takes about two to five hours, depending on the type of food being digested.
When we are experiencing heartburn, loosening the belt, pants, or dress is a good idea. Tight clothing is one of the causes of regurgitation of stomach contents.
There are also over-the-counter medications available for heartburn. Antacids or other anti-ulcer medications help to soothe the sensation. Alternatives to these include baking soda. Drinking one teaspoonful of soda dissolved in a glass of water can reduce the burning.
Apple cider vinegar will have the same effect. Chewing gum can also help by producing more saliva and thus neutralising the acid.
Lifestyle modifications can go a long way to minimise the risk of heartburn. First and foremost, we need to limit the intake of foods known to trigger heartburn. Some examples include acidic fruits (e.g., oranges, lemons), spicy meals, coffee, alcohol, etc.
We should also make sure that our meals are spread in small portions throughout the day, thus reducing the production of stomach acid. The day's last meal should be taken 2-3 hours before bedtime.
While going to sleep, certain postures can reduce the risk of heartburn. We need to keep our heads elevated compared to the rest of the body and try to sleep on the left side as much as possible.
Regular exercise, healthy weight maintenance, and avoiding alcohol and smoking are all positive lifestyle changes to manage heartburn.
It must be noted that heartburn symptoms often overlap with heart attacks. Many patients come to the hospital with chest pain, thinking they are having some issues with their heart, only to find out it's their stomach.
Cardiac pains are usually like a squeezing, stabbing type of feeling or a dull sensation in the chest. The location is the centre of the chest, which can radiate to the neck, shoulders, or arms. Such radiation is not generally seen with heartburn.
Unlike heartburn, cardiac pains are commonly precipitated by exercise or strenuous activity. Other symptoms, such as breathlessness, weakness, dizziness, sweating, cold skin, etc, often accompany the pain.
In case there is confusion about the nature of the pain, the best thing to do is to check with a physician immediately.
Additionally, if the heartburn is frequent, with swallowing difficulty, or the patient is aged over 60, then it is advisable to seek medical help. Occasional heartburn is common and managed easily, but chronic heartburn must be properly investigated.