how long can heartburn last?

Question

When I was pregnant earlier this year I had to go to the emergency room for chest pain...they diagnosed it as heartburn. Then about a month ago I had to go in again, and they diagnosed it as acid reflux. Anyway, my question is, how long can heartburn last, before I should go to a health clinic or even the hospital? It's been almost 8 hours with 2 quick naps I could get in. Any help/remedies is appreicated, but I can't keep anything down (tried alka-seltzer and pepcid). Thanks

Answer 1

An old wives tale said that when you have heartburn when you're pregnant then your child will have a lot of hair when it's born...

I don't think the two situations have anything to do with each other. Yes, acid reflux is the newer medical term for heartburn. Years ago we used to take baking soda in water (somewhat like your alkaseltzer). Try drinking something like canada dry ginger ale or upper 10 (do they still have that?). Try also eating bland foods and changing to a vegetarian diet. Also, don't eat after 6PM in the evening. And, raise the top part of your body slightly when you sleep, and sleep on your side. If you can't get rid of the heartburn, maybe now that you've been pregnant you might be alergic to something new, or, the foods you're eating have a preservative in them your body doesn't like. It could go either way, either your body has too much acid in it or not enough, both react the same in giving you heartburn. Or, try "beano" before you eat food and see if that makes it any better. If you're still getting heartburn and it's coming up on you, then get to a doctor as it may be a more serious problem. It's premature to scare you but when the body has too much acid it causes cancer (a new study says). So you need to reduce the acid. If you're drinking coffee, tea or soft drinks then switch to just water for a while and see if that changes anything.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

There is a condition called Hyper emesis Gravidica, in which a pregnant female, while have constant attacks of heartburn, which will subside as the pregnancy follows, the problem is that during the episodes nothing seems to cure the situation (not that i know of)

Please talk to your doctor 'cause this condition should be known by him so he can asses the issue further

Answer 4

Had exactly the same problem when I had my son 25 years ago, even had a glass of antacid next to me when in labour. Have suffered ever since diagnosed with gastric reflux 3 years ago and been on 40mg of Nexium daily ever since. Fine as long as I take it, Sick as a dog and in agony if I miss a day. See your GP and ask about it. Good luck.

Answer 5

I know exactly what you are going through, I had the same problem while pregnant and after got worse through the years, it was soo bad that when I was in a restaurant with my family I had to go to he ladies room and up-chuck, that was the finally I knew I had to do something went to my doctor, he sent me to a specialist, took tests, and it was severe acid reflex. he put me on the purple bill Nexium, and boy what a difference I could eat again, been on it ever since. It really never goes away, just have to treat it, and watch what you eat!! Hope this helps

Answer 6

you are not going to believe this but try it any way. I am coffee drinker and every morning I would have to have my large french vanilla coffee..It caused me the worst heartburn all day at work...I was listening to the radio station on morning (drinking my coffee) and the topic was heartburn someone suggested almonds for the cure and I went to the produce store b-4 entering the building and now every day I get the 2 for $1.00 bags of almonds and kissed heartburn away.. no more heartburn for me..B4 I drank my coffee..good luck

Answer 7

if it is acid reflux, or a bad case of heartburn it could last for days! what I do when I get it bad is take a spoonful of vinegar. believe it or not it really works and it works almost as fast as you swallow it.

Answer 8

I don't have it very often but, can get rid of it in 2 minutes or less just by eating a pickle. Or, taking sip of pickle juice.

Answer 9

Sleeping with your head elevated a bit will help.

Answer 10

Go see your doctor, you might have GERD, and it will get worse if not treated properly. I know I have it.