Heartburn Is Not A Heart Disease: You May Have Acid Reflux Or GERD
Do you have a warm feeling in your chest? It is probably heartburn but not the heart problem.
Do you feel chest pain or heartburn? Is there also abdominal pain, stomach upset, or nausea? Do you often have indigestion or nausea, frequent sneezing and the feeling that there is always a blockage in the throat? You may have acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD.
What is acid reflux?
Acid reflux is the passage of acid in the stomach to the esophagus, the tube that connects the stomach and throat. When acid reflux attacks, the food may taste bad or it may be sour liquid. There may also be a warm feeling in your chest, or the so-called heartburn. Yes, heartburn is not a heart disease if not a symptom of acid reflux.
Mayo Clinic recommends having a lifestyle change if you have acid reflux. You may need to lose weight, eat less, and avoid eating too much at night. Also avoid foods that trigger heartburn, such as fried foods and fatty foods. Also avoid drinking alcohol and smoking. Taking medication such as aspirin also causes others
Over-the-counter medications such as antacids can help with periodic acid reflux. But it is important to consult a doctor especially if your acid reflux is frequent.
Painful, Hot or Sour Sikmura? Learn the Causes and Treatments for Pain
Acid reflux can lead to GERD
When you have frequent heartburn after eating, it is a sign that your acid reflux has turned into gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD, which is a more severe state of reflux. Other symptoms of GERD include vomiting or sour liquid in the mouth, difficulty swallowing, coughing, difficulty breathing and chest pain especially when lying down at night.
The conditions that can cause GERD are as follows:
Obesity or overweight
Increased abdominal height to diaphragm (hiatal hernia)
Pregnancy
Connective tissue disorders, such as scleroderma
Delay of stomach emptying
If you suspect that you have GERD and the symptoms and symptoms are worsening - there is dizziness, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing - consult your doctor with prescription medications. When you experience chest pain, especially if you have difficulty breathing and pain in the jaw and arm, immediately rush to the emergency room as it may also be a symptom of a heart attack.
In severe cases of GERD, it can lead to complications. Because acid escalates more frequently in the esophagus into the mouth, it can cause irritation to the lining of the esophagus. There are other cases that need to undergo surgery.
In the long run, chronic inflammation in the esophagus can lead to the following:
Esophageal stricture (esophageal stricture). Damage to the lower esophagus due to stomach acid can cause scar tissue that narrows the airway and leads to difficulty swallowing.
Open sore or sore in the esophagus (esophageal ulcer). Stomach acid can cause ulcers in the esophagus that turn into ulcers, causing bleeding, pain and difficulty swallowing.
Precancerous changes in the esophagus (Barrett's esophagus). Damage from acid can cause changes in the tissue lining of the lower esophagus. These changes are associated with an increased risk of developing esophageal cancer.
You should see your doctor when you experience frequent symptoms of GERD and when you take over-the-counter medication for heartburn more than twice a week.
