Are you experiencing more frequent heartburn than normal? If yes, then you should see a doctor because frequent heartburn can be caused by underlying conditions that require treatment. However, most heartburn symptoms can be managed with medications and lifestyle changes. In this article, you will learn about the causes of daily heartburn and how to manage them. You can contact us by visiting our clinic or visiting our website at https://doralhw.org/.

Causes

Heartburn happens when your stomach produces acid during digestion that returns to the esophagus. Usually, when you eat or drink anything, the muscles of the esophagus, which lead the food to the stomach, relax and when the stomach produces acid to digest them, it closes the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) which is a valve located at the bottom of the esophagus. If this valve doesn’t close properly, the stomach acid flows back into the esophagus causing heartburn and inflammation. This condition is called acid reflux. In some cases, if you bend over during acid reflux, you may experience foul-tasting stomach acid which flows up into the mouth.

Heartburn can occur due to many reasons, including:

• Foods:

Certain foods can trigger, prolong, or intensify heartburn in some people who are sensitive to them. Food triggers can vary from individual to individual. However, mostly spicy or acidic foods and high-fat or fried foods are hard to digest. Here are some common foods and drinks that cause heartburn, including:

• Coffee
• Carbonated sodas
• Salad dressing and marinades that contain vinegar
• Tomato sauce and other tomato products
• Garlic and onions
• Chocolate
• Spicy cuisine
• Fatty foods like fast-food hamburgers
• Fried chicken or fish
• Citrus fruits and juices
• Alcoholic beverages
• Health conditions:

Frequent heartburn is mostly caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This is a serious form of acid reflux. In GERD, the reflux is chronic. Besides GERD, other conditions that cause heartburn include:

• Obesity or overweight
• Stress or anxiety
• Esophagitis
• Hiatal hernia
• Eosinophilic esophagitis

1. Medications:

Some prescription and over the counter (OTC) medications may cause acid reflux or irritate the esophagus lining causing heartburn. Certain supplements also cause this effect. Common medications that cause heartburn include

• Antibiotics like clindamycin
• Ibuprofen
• Aspirin
• Iron supplements
• Opioids and other narcotics
• Metformin
• Calcium channel blockers
• Statins
• Sedatives such as Valium
• Progesterone

You should talk with your healthcare professional if you experience heartburn due to medication. They can either replace or tell you how to manage heartburn. Don’t stop any prescription medication without a doctor’s approval.

• Pregnancy:

During pregnancy, heartburn is common, during any trimester. If you’re pregnant with multiples (twins or greater), your chances of experiencing pregnancy-related heartburn may increase. During the first trimester, your digestive process begins to slow down to allow your body to absorb and store enough nutrients to nourish the fetus. This causes heartburn. As your pregnancy continues, your stomach expands and changes position which increases the frequency and intensity of heartburn. These side effects get over when a child is delivered.

• As you age:

As people grow older, their muscles weaken, including the LES. A weakened LES can make your stomach acid spill into your esophagus more easily. Some of the medications you take may cause heartburn as a side effect. Medical conditions, like hiatal hernias, are more common in older adults. Weight gain can also be a factor.

Symptoms

Daily heartburn causes several symptoms. However, the most common symptom is a burning feeling or a sense of heat in the throat and chest. Other symptoms you may experience, include:

• An indigestion-like feeling
• A bitter, pungent taste in the mouth
• Nausea
• A hot, acidic taste or sensation in the mouth.
• Difficulty in swallowing.
• The feeling of food stuck in the middle of the chest or throat.
• Pain that gets worse when you bend over or lie down.

While it’s common for people to experience heartburn occasionally, like after having a large meal. However, if a person experiences heartburn daily, then they should contact a doctor.

Management and lifestyle changes

To manage heartburn, doctors usually prescribe over-the-counter medicines like:

1. Antacids: This medicine prevents the acid in your stomach from easing heartburn pain. It also helps with stomach pains, indigestion, and gas. You need to chew them well before swallowing to get faster relief. However, if you use them more, it may cause side effects, like constipation, diarrhea, a change in the color of your bowel movements, and stomach cramps.
2. Acid (H2) blockers: Medicines like cimetidine and famotidine can lower the amount of acid in your stomach. However, they don’t work as fast as antacids but produce long-lasting effects.
3. Proton pump inhibitors: They also reduce stomach acid. It includes esomeprazole, lansoprazole, and omeprazole.

If OTC medicines don’t work, your doctor may give you a stronger prescription version. It’s rare, but surgery is also recommended to treat heartburn symptoms if:

• Other treatment fails.
• Your LES muscle doesn’t work properly.
• Your heartburn is caused by GERD.
• You have cancer in your esophagus.

Certain lifestyle changes can also help the person to manage daily heartburn symptoms, including:

• Eating a healthy diet.
• Limiting fat intake.
• Avoid food triggers like spicy foods, alcohol, caffeine, and acidic foods.
• Quit smoking, if you do.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Eat smaller meals
• Avoid consuming anything for at least 2 hours before bedtime.
• Sleep on your left-hand side.
• Sleep with your upper body elevated by doubling the pillow or putting something under the bed legs.
• Wear loose-fitting clothes.
• Exercise regularly.

Certain things can cause more frequent heartburn than normal. Some are more serious than others. However, mostly heartburn can be managed with OTC medications and lifestyle changes. Only in severe cases, surgery is required.

If you need help with heartburn, visit our diet and nutrition clinic in Brooklyn to get professional medical help. Call us to book your appointment now!!!!!

You can schedule an appointment with Doral Health and Wellness doctors in Brooklyn. If you are looking for treatments, you can also talk to our specialists and inquire with them. To schedule an appointment, please visit us at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11212 or call 1-347-384-5690.