Why do we get heartburn?

Question

Name some Remedies as well.

Answer 1

acidic stuff from the stomach goes up the esophagus
antacids, zantac 75 otc, prilosec otc
elevating head end of bed, avoiding caffeine, nicotene and spices may help
good luck

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

Heartburn happens for many reasons.
Too much Stress, alcohol, smoking, poor diet, spicy foods, acidic foods...endless.

Tums and things like that only help for a little while. Ranitidine and Cinitidine are two over the counter pills that will help all day and it's cheap. Dr.s prescribe pretty much the same things. If a person has heartburn 3 days a week then they need to see a Dr. to get proper help. If it is left untreated for a long time then a person may need stomach surgery and that's no fun.

Answer 4

We get heartburn because the stomach acids backs up into the upper digestive trac The main thing is to get rid of as much citric acids in your diet. Try not to eat after 6pm which allows you to go to bed as empty as possible, which will keep the stomach from producing the acid. Do not lay down after eating. If you dont have an exercise routine, then now is a good time to start because it allows you to digest your food faster. If it is a recurring thing then you can take an over the counter treatment like PRILOSEC or if it is a one time deal then use Maalox or Mylanta. Coffee and tomatos and Tomato sauce can also agravate the stomach.

Answer 5

stomach acids splash up into the esophagus and because the esophagus doesn't have the protective lining the stomach has the acids cause a burning sensation, over time this can damage the esophagus, it is called GERD which stands for gastroesophageal reflux disease. For short term relief, a liquid antacid like maalox will help. For long term relief, eat smaller meals more frequently, remain upright for at least thirty minutes after eating or drinking anything to allow your stomach to empty. If these simple things do not give relief, might be time to see a doctor and get medical help.

Answer 6

we get i from eating some spicy food and have acid in the stomach. take some Zantac

Answer 7

over eatting ,over drinking,and SMOKING alot!
Take some TUM's for the Tummy!

Answer 8

My doctor suggested I take Maalox and it worked wonders.

Answer 9

Pathophysiology
The sensation of heartburn is caused by exposure of the lower esophagus to the acidic contents of the stomach. Normally, the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) separating the stomach from the esophagus is supposed to contract to prevent this situation. If the sphincter relaxes for any reason (as normally occurs during swallowing), stomach contents, mixed with gastric acid, can return into the esophagus. This return is also known as reflux, and may progress to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) if it occurs frequently. Peristalsis, the rhythmic wave of muscular contraction in the esophagus, normally moves food down and past the LES and is responsible for ultimately clearing refluxed stomach contents. In addition, gastric acid can be neutralized by buffers present in saliva.

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Causes
Foods that may cause heartburn:

Alcohol
Coffee, tea, cola, and other caffeinated and carbonated beverages
Chocolate
Citrus fruits and juices
Tomatoes and tomato sauces (such as pizza and pasta sauce)
Spicy foods and fatty foods (including full-fat dairy products)
Peppermint and spearmint
Dry foods such as peanuts
Fatty foods such as ice cream
It can also be psychosomatic, primarily in relation to stress.

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Diagnosis
Physicians typically diagnose gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) based on symptoms alone. When the clinical presentation is unclear, other tests can be performed to confirm the diagnosis or exclude other disorders. Confirmatory tests include:

Ambulatory pH Monitoring
A probe can be placed via the nose into the esophagus to record the level of acidity in the lower esophagus. Because some degree of variation in acidity is normal, and small reflux events are relatively common, such monitors must be left in place for at least a 24-hour period to confirm the diagnosis of GERD. The test is particularly useful when the patient's symptoms can be correlated to episodes of increased esophageal acidity.
Upper Gastrointestinal (GI) Series
A series of x-rays of the upper digestive system are taken after drinking a barium solution. These can demonstrate reflux of barium into the esophagus, which suggests the possibility of gastroesophageal reflux disease. More accurately, fluoroscopy can be used to document reflux in real-time.
Manometry
In this test, a pressure sensor (manometer) is passed through the mouth into the esophagus and measures the pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter directly.
Endoscopy
The esophageal mucosa can be visualized directly by passing a thin, lighted tube with a tiny camera attached (an endoscope) through the mouth to examine the esophagus and stomach. In this way, evidence of esophageal inflammation can be detected, and biopsies taken if necessary:
Biopsy
A small sample of tissue from the esophagus is removed. It is then studied to check for inflammation, cancer, or other problems.
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Treatment
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Prevention
If heartburn occurs when lying down, raising the head with pillows or sitting up frequently provides relief – although care must be taken to avoid placing continuous strain on the neck. Avoidance of certain foods shortly before bedtime is frequently advised to avoid future attacks.

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Medications
Antacids, H2-receptor antagonists and proton pump inhibitors are used (in that order) to treat heartburn.

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Antacids
Daily treatment with Antacids is effective for 25-30% of people with GERD. Acid-blocking medications are the most effective for mild forms of the condition.

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Water
Some have suggested that drinking a large glass of water dilutes the high ph levels in the stomach(since water has an average ph) and allows the pain to temporarily subside.

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H2-receptor antagonists
With the advent of proton-pump inhibitors, H2-receptor antagonists are not widely used.

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Proton-pump Inhibitors
Proton pump inhibitors are a class of medications which can be effective for people who do not respond to antacid or acid blockers. Proton-pump inhibitors directly block acid production in the stomach cells and provide more effective relief than less powerful medications. In order to prevent heartburn the medication disfigures and disables the proteins (proton pumps) that control the pH of the stomach, allowing the body to digest them.

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Restricting Diet
Restricting diet is very important, since 90-95% of sufferers of heartburn or esophageal disorder can link their symptoms to specific foods. Therefore, it is important that heartburn sufferers manage their diets as a way to treat their heartburn. Sufferers should choose the kinds of foods and drinks which have little risk of causing acid reflux, while some kinds of foods or drinks should be avoided as they are major heartburn triggers.