Quck answer
Heartburn is a common symptom of acid reflux, which occurs when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus. It causes a burning sensation in the chest, often after eating or lying down. Certain foods, such as spicy or fatty foods, can trigger heartburn. Lifestyle factors, like smoking or obesity, can also contribute to its development. Over-the-counter antacids can provide temporary relief, but lifestyle changes, such as avoiding trigger foods, losing weight, and elevating the head during sleep, can help manage heartburn in the long term. If heartburn persists or worsens, it is important to consult a healthcare professional for further evaluation and treatment options.
After a long day at school, you go directly to volleyball practice. You put in a lot of effort and sweat during a challenging hour and a half of running, jumping, and hitting balls on the court. When your dad comes to pick you up, you only have one thing on your mind: dinner!
You’re famished! Fortunately, when you arrive home, your mom has a special surprise waiting for you. As you enter the kitchen, the delightful aroma of baking bread fills the air. She opens the oven door, revealing your heart’s desire: a piping-hot pepperoni pizza with plenty of bubbling cheese.
You can hardly wait to take a bite. The spicy tomato sauce and seasoned pepperoni blend perfectly with the melted cheese, fresh crust, and minced garlic. It tastes incredible, and it doesn’t take you long to devour several slices, satisfying your hunger with this warm and delicious treat.
After taking a shower, you lay down on your bed to do your homework. Before long, you start to feel a rumbling in your stomach. *Burp!* Oops! That delicious pizza seems to have caused some discomfort in your stomach. Soon, you feel a burning sensation at the back of your throat. What’s happening? You’re experiencing heartburn!
Heartburn may sound like a serious heart condition, but it actually has nothing to do with your heart. Heartburn occurs when stomach acid is forced up from the stomach into your esophagus.
The esophagus is the tube that carries the food you eat from your mouth to your stomach. There is a muscular valve called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) between the esophagus and the stomach, which normally prevents stomach acid from leaving the stomach and entering the esophagus.
When the LES either opens at the wrong time or fails to close properly, stomach acid can leak back into the esophagus. Stomach acid is highly corrosive and only a small amount of it is enough to burn the esophagus, causing the familiar burning sensation known as heartburn.
Heartburn is sometimes referred to as esophageal reflux. In addition to the burning sensation in the throat, heartburn can also leave a sour or bitter taste in the mouth. People of all ages experience heartburn. It is a common problem, and there are many over-the-counter remedies available to provide relief from heartburn.
There are several measures you can take to try to prevent heartburn. Avoid foods that frequently trigger heartburn. Spicy peppers and citrus fruits, for example, can often cause heartburn. Eating slowly and having smaller meals can also be helpful. If you are an athlete, avoid eating right before exercising.
While most people experience heartburn occasionally, some individuals suffer from severe and frequent heartburn. If this happens to you, it could indicate that your LES is not functioning properly. In such cases, a doctor may diagnose you with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
GERD, commonly known as acid reflux, can affect anyone, even healthy teenagers. If you suspect you have GERD, it is important to consult a doctor. Over time, individuals with GERD may experience permanent damage to the esophagus and even develop cancer. However, with proper diagnosis, GERD can be treated using a variety of medications and therapies.
Give It a Try
We trust that your stomach is feeling alright after today’s Wonder of the Day! To gain further knowledge about heartburn, make sure to explore the following activities with a companion:
- Are there specific types of foods that tend to disturb your stomach? Ponder on the foods you enjoy the most and the ones you usually avoid. Do you abstain from eating certain foods because of the way they affect you? For some individuals, preventing heartburn can be as easy as avoiding overly spicy foods. However, for others, spicy food might not be a concern at all, but dairy products could cause severe heartburn. Each person’s body reacts differently. Which foods does your body dislike? Discuss food preferences with your friends and family members. What foods give them heartburn?
- Accompany an adult friend or family member on a trip to a nearby pharmacy. Explore the aisles in search of over-the-counter medications to combat heartburn and indigestion. What common ingredients do many of these medicines share? How many different types of heartburn medicines can you find? In what ways are they similar? How are they different? Which ones have you previously tried? If possible, consult a pharmacist about their recommended medicines.
- Still curious about the exact processes that occur inside the body when experiencing heartburn? Go online and watch Methodist Health System’s Heartburn Patient Education Animation. You will get an exclusive look behind the scenes at the processes that lead to heartburn. Share your newfound knowledge with a friend or family member!
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