What to do to treat heartburn

Heartburn could be very disturbing and as such better prevented. In this report by Rotimi Omole, simple things like taking water and avoiding such foods as beans are helpful in the treatment of the problem.

MEDICALLY, Heartburn is known as Gastroesophageal Reflex Disease (GERD) it occurs when the valve between the oesophagus and the stomach relax at the wrong time allowing stomach acid to spill upward and causing a burning sensation in the chest or throat. Only about 10 to 15 per cent of cases are bad (GERD), with signs of oesophageal damage. However, people with documented oesophageal damage or very severe and frequent reflux may need to take medication daily, but the majority of heartburn sufferers do not need to stay on the drugs for extended periods.

Judicious use of heartburn drugs not only saves money, but lowers the risk of untoward side effects. Almost everyone experiences heartburn, said Dr. Stephen Gbadesere, a heartburn expert at Molly Medical Foundation Hospital, Lagos. According to him, “patients should not panic when they have heartburn. Though regurgitating stomach acid is unpleasant to bear, flare-ups which frequently occur at night after a big meal can disturb sleep. However, with dozens of treatment available, relief is at hand.

For occasional hearthburn, different varieties of antacids are usually effective while drugs like H2 blockers which suppress stomach acid production are recommended for mild episodic heartburn; these drugs can also help prevent trouble if taken before a heartburn-inducing meal. However, for more severe cases of heartburn, drugs like Proton Pump Inhibitors or P.P.I’s can be taken by patients. “The best medicine for sufferers of heartburn is prevention; spicy foods, coffee, chocolate or alcohol must not be taken regularly” says Dr. Gbadesere.

It has also been discovered that many women experience heartburn during pregnancy while flunctuations of hormones are common signs during pregnancy. While shedding more light on Heartburn, Dr. Felix Darlington of Mayweather Hospital, Ojoo, Ibadan, defined heartburn as a burning sensation behind the lower end of the sternum due to reflux of hydrochloric acid into the inflamed oesophagus while sensation passes from the organ along the sensory nerves to the posterior roof of the spinal cord where it is relate to the cerebral sensory.

“Heartburn is a pyschological thing it is not a thing we should be panicking about. Though some people says whenever they eat beans, it causes Heartburn for them or when they eat late at night; some believed that when they have heartburn, they can take antibiotics. It must be emphasised that heartburn has nothing to do with antibiotic tablets, you can also take plenty water. When such a thing occurs, it is not always good to go on to self medication. The best thing to do is to seek for medical advice. Sufferer of heartburn at times finds it difficult to eat, some are afraid to eat, believing that when they eat, it will further aggravate it, all these assumptions are erroneous.

The first thing to do when you have it is to take plenty water, it is a thing that will go naturally, we don’t need to panic about it. According to Dr. Darlington, the condition of hearthburn in patient may be relieved by sitting up and by intake of drugs which belong to the group — Antacids. The patient is medically advised to reduce his/her weight if Obese. The patient will also benefit from sleeping semi-upright at night, propped up on several pillows with the foot end of the bed raised or on a chair to prevent the patient from sliding down the bed; the patient should also avoid tight clothes around the abdomen.

Diet: Patient is advised to eat small meals at a slow rate while an infant should be kept upright. His/her slef should be semi-solid diet. Surgical intervention: This is advocated if heartburn persists despite medical treatment. The operation closes the gap in the diaphragm and attaches the fundus of the stomach to the diaphragm. Complications: If heartburn is not properly managed, it can lead to stricture; narrowing of the oesophagus due to fibrosis.