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How To Relieve Heartburn

Heartburn feels like a burning pressure behind the breastbone and can make it painful to swallow, breathe, or perform other daily activities. Luckily, there are several things you can do to alleviate this discomfort. 

What is Heartburn? 

Occasional onsets of heartburn are nothing to worry about, though they can be uncomfortable. Most people experience heartburn as a burning chest pain that typically begins immediately after eating or lying down. Sometimes, heartburn can even wake you up at night. 

Over-the-counter medications and lifestyle changes can often lessen these symptoms. If you experience heartburn more frequently and it begins to interfere with your daily activities, you may want to consult a doctor. 

Severe cases of heartburn can have similar symptoms to a heart attack, which can be frightening if you don’t know how to tell the difference. However, heartburn usually begins with a burning sensation in the upper portion of the stomach and moves upward into the chest, while a heart attack is more of a pressure that starts in the chest and extends out to the limbs. 

What Causes Heartburn?

Most people experience heartburn occasionally, but it is still unclear exactly what causes it to occur. When you swallow food, a muscle releases around the lower part of the esophagus, opening it enough to allow food or drink to flow enter the stomach. 

After you have swallowed, the muscle tightens again. However, if this muscle doesn’t work properly, stomach acid can make its way up into the esophagus, causing acid reflux and heartburn. 

Though challenging to prevent this from ever occurring, there are some things you can avoid that may help. Heartburn can be caused or at least made worse by:

  • Fatty and spicy foods
  • Alcohol, coffee, tomatoes, and chocolate 
  • Overeating, or eating right before you go to bed
  • Smoking
  • Stress
  • Excess weight
  • Unbalanced hormones
  • Some medications, including over-the-counter painkillers
  • Clothing that is tight around the waist

How To Relieve Heartburn

If you’re experiencing heartburn, there are a few strategies you can use to relieve your symptoms. Several different medications ease discomfort by either neutralizing or reducing stomach acid. 

Antacids

To help relieve the immediate symptoms of heartburn, you can take an Antacid to neutralize the stomach acid. If you experience heartburn regularly, antacids are not a long-term solution, but they can provide quick relief. 

H2 Blockers

Though H2 blockers don’t provide immediate relief, they can be a more effective long-term solution. H2 blockers can reduce your overall amount of stomach acid, which can reduce the frequency of heartburn attacks. 

Proton Pump Inhibitors

Proton pump inhibitors, or PPIs, can also reduce stomach acid by inhibiting gastric acid secretion. PPIs can also provide more long-term relief from heartburn. 

If you experience heartburn regularly, there are also steps you can take to reduce its frequency and severity.

  • Try to reduce stress and relax more frequently
  • Eat smaller meals
  • Lose weight
  • Sleep with your head slightly elevated, as this can prevent stomach acid from making its way to your throat while you’re lying down.

Take the Next Step

Do you have questions about heartburn? Reach out to Cochise Oncology at (520) 803-6644 or fill out the consultation form on this page. 

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