heartburn
Author: aryan
Heartburn
Definition
The burning sensation inside the chest which can affect to the neck, throat, and face is called heart burn. It is worsen by bending or lying down. It is the primary symptom of gastro esophageal reflux, which is the movement of stomach acid into the esophagus. On rare incident, it is due to gastritis.
Description
More than one-third of the population is affected by heartburn, with about one-tenth affected daily. Irregular heartburn is generally without serious consequences, but chronic or frequent heartburn can have severe consequences. Accordingly, early management is important.
The stomach has a thick mucous coating that protects it from the strong acid it secretes into its interior when food is present, but the much thinner esophageal coating doesn't provide protection against acid. Thus, if the LES opens inappropriately or fails to close completely, and stomach contents leak into the esophagus, the esophagus can be burned by acid. The resulting burning sensation is called heartburn.
First you have to know the structure and action of the esophagus, if you want to know about the heartburn. The esophagus is a tube connecting the throat to the stomach. It is about 10 inches long in adults, lined with squalors epithelial cells, coated with mucus, and surrounded by muscles that push food to the stomach by sequential waves of contraction. The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is a thick band of muscles that encircles the esophagus just above the uppermost part of the stomach. This sphincter is usually tightly closed and normally opens only when food passes from the esophagus into the stomach. Thus, the contents of the stomach are normally kept from moving back into the esophagus.
Infrequent heartburn has no severe long-lasting effects, but repetitive episodes of gastro esophageal reflux can eventually lead to esophageal inflammation (esophagus) and other damage. If episodes occur more frequently than twice a week, and the esophagus is repetitively subjected to acid and digestive enzymes inside the stomach, ulcerations, scarring, and thickening of the esophagus walls can result. This thickening of the esophagus wall causes a narrowing of the interior of the esophagus. Such narrowing affects swallowing and peristaltic movements. Repeated irritation can also result in changes in the types of cells that line the esophagus. The condition associated with these changes is termed Barrett's syndrome and can lead to esophageal cancer.
Causes
There are so many different factors may contribute to LES malfunction with its consequent gastro esophageal acid reflux:
- The eating of large meals that distend the stomach can cause the LES to open inappropriately.
- Lying down within two to three hours of eating can cause the LES to open.
- Obesity, pregnancy, and tight clothing can impair the ability of the LES to stay closed by putting pressure on the abdomen.
- Certain drugs, notably nicotine, alcohol, diazepam (Valium), hesperidins (Demerol),morphine, prostaglandins, calcium channel blockers, nitrate heart medications, ant cholinergic and adrenergic drugs (drugs that limit nerve reactions), including dopamine, can relax the LES.
- Progesterone is thought to relax the LES.
- Greasy foods and some other foods such as chocolate, coffee, and peppermint can relax the LES.
- Paralysis and scleroderma can cause the LES to malfunction.
- Hiatus hernia may also cause heartburn according to some gastroenterologists. (Hiatus hernia is a protrusion of part of the stomach through the diaphragm to a position next to the esophagus.)
Symptoms
There are so many people who has affected in heartburn but many people have different acid reflux-related heartburn triggers. Generally most people have similar heartburn symptoms.
- A burning feeling in the chest just behind the breastbone that occurs after eating and lasts a few minutes to several hours.
- Chest pain, especially after bending over, lying down or eating.
- Burning in the throat or hot, sour, acidic or salty-tasting fluid at the back of the throat.
- Difficulty in swallowing.
- Feeling of food "sticking" in the middle of the chest or throat.
- Heartburn may cause chronic cough, sore throat, or chronic hoarseness.
Treatment of Heartburn
Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs that neutralize stomach acid are, for most people, the first line of defense against heartburn. Antacids come in tablet, liquid, or foam, and in regular and extra-strength formulations.
The active agents in antacid compounds usually consist of one or more of the following ingredients: magnesium, aluminum hydroxide, sodium bicarbonate, or the centuries-old standby, calcium carbonate.
Antacids should bring relief almost instantaneously from heart burn. These active compounds buffer the accumulated acid in the stomach. This helps reduce or eliminate the burn that is felt in the esophagus. Antacids do not reduce any further acid buildup or eradicate feelings of fullness in the stomach.
A recommended dose one to three hours after eating should provide varying degrees of relief. If a single dose does not work, the problem may be more severe, and consulting a doctor should be considered.
In addition, those who have high blood pressure or who are on a sodium-restricted diet should not take antacids containing sodium bicarbonate because of its high sodium content. Also, those bothered by kidney stones should not take calcium carbonate antacids because the calcium can accelerate the problem. Calcium carbonate antacids will initially quell acid buildup, but because they contain calcium, this antacid will soon cause an increase in stomach acid.
Contrary to popular belief, milk is not a recommended antidote to heartburn. A glass of milk does provide immediate relief as it goes down, but milk contains calcium and protein, and these eventually stimulate even more acid production in the stomach. This can cause a more severe heartburn that can return in as little as a half an hour.
Prevention of Heartburn
Some simple precautions to take in order to avoid heartburn are:
- If certain foods or drinks regularly bring on discomfort, avoid them
- Do not smoke; avoid caffeine and alcohol
- Cut back or eliminate chocolate and chocolate-based desserts
- Try to lose weight
- Eat slowly; avoid foods or drinks that are excessively hot or cold
- Do not eat a major meal less than four hours before bedtime
- Find ways to reduce stress
- Sufferers of night-time heartburn can sometimes be helped by placing 6-inch blocks under the head of the bed. This often helps better than trying to use extra pillows which can shift during the night.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/heartburn-1510598.html
About the Author
aryan
[TEMPLATE]cannibis[/TEMPLATE]
Are there any anti-anxiety pills that also induce amnesia?
And I’m not talking about Valium. That stuff doesn’t do a thing for me.
I need to go get my wisdom teeth taken out, but I have a terrible fear of needles. The dentist is always prescribing me Valium, but it never affects me at all. I’ve tried taking a big dose, I’ve tried taking it on an empty stomach, but it just doesn’t have any effect. So I need to know if there are any *strong* anti-anxiety pills out there that will also induce amnesia. That would be the best option for me, but at this point I don’t even care about the amnesia. I just want something to help alleviate my fears!
Thanks for your help ^_^
There are stronger medicines than valium that induce amnesia, such as dilotted(sp?) but the dont have the anti-anxiety effect. You could try taking a strong medicine and couple it with zanex. good luck.
How come valium is not affecting me?
I was prescribed Diazepam for some dental work I’m having done in about 3 weeks. I’ve never taken it before so my oral surgeon gave me a prescription for 12 pills (5mg) and wants me to try it ahead of time to see how much I need. Last night I took 1 pill after we got home from dinner and I felt absolutely nothing. Tonight I took 2 before dinner and felt a little fuzzy in the head but as soon as I ate, it was gone. So next weekend I’ll try 3.
I’m not on any type of meds, just a multivitamin once a day. He told me most people only need 1-2. How come I’m not feeling much? I’m average height/size, not overweight. I’m suppose to take whatever works the night before and also in the morning a half hour before surgery. I’m concerned about taking that many. Will 6 in a 12 hour period be too much? Does a full stomach lessen the affect and should I not eat breakfast the morning of the surgery? He doesn’t put patients to sleep so I definitely need to be somewhat out of it since I’m so nervous.
It’s not for pain, it’s to relax me since the surgery is stressing me out. I will be given numbing meds for the procedure.
That is strange isn’t it. 5mg knocks me out. DO NOT take more than prescribed. Contact the Dentist again. He will give you something else. Be warned: diazepam is highly addictive, so don’t take them unless absolutely necessary and don’t take them for a long period of time.
It does not matter whether you take them on a full or empty stomach.
Get something else!
If you believe Chemtrails are part of a gov. conspiracy…?
wouldn’t they also affect the very people behind them?
I haven’t made up my mind about them yet and do believe 100% in the NWO agenda being a reality, but I haven’t seen the so-callled “powers that be” walking around with respirators. The theory behind Chemtrails is that they are purposely spraying the chemicals in order to track humans (with the barium), make us sick (with aluminum, therefore needing more healthcare/Big Pharm), and control moods (Valium, lithium, etc.) If this is true, aren’t they affected also, so doesn’t that debunk this theory?
It could very well be that the people behind the scenes who are controlling these spraying operations are staying well clear of the areas currently being effected.
If I was in control I would be thousands of miles away before pressing the “Go Button” and would not return to the effected area until the chemicals had all dissipated.
Research I have done has revealed to me that the Illuminati wants to kill off at least 5 billion of the world population of 6 billion. That will leave just enough people alive to support these elitists and not be too many to be easily controlled.
Who are the Illuminati? They are all stooges of satan who will ultimately be under the control of the coming antiChrist.
My Boyfriends family has major issues,more then normal.Would these things make you reconcider the relationship?
Im 22 and my boyfriend is almost 30. We have been dating for 1 year. I know that you shouldn’t allow the persons family that your dating affect your relationship,but its starting to get to me.
-My boyfriend still lives at home, so I have to see them all the time.
Just to name a few things that bother me…
-My b/f’s mom walks around the house with no teeth in.
-She walks around with food all over her shirts like she misses her mouth when eating
-His parents are MAJOR chain smokers, and they smoke in the house.
-His house is so dirty, the curtains have not been washed in years.
-Because of his chain smoker parents i stink like smoke when I leave there.
-His parents are seriously broke as jokes
-His mom goes around the house picking up change
-His mom uses her medication as a form of currency..Such as ill give you a Valium if you go get me a coffee.
-His mom left her bra sitting around the house and it had cigarette burns on it.
-There carpet is filthy my socks are stained when I leave.
-My b/f’s bed room is always a mess, and the carpet has holes in it.
-His parents are both unemployed.
-His father is a alcoholic/and has gambling issues.
-His mother has depression.
-The father has had 3 DWI’s
-Has No license now because of the DWI’s
————————-Ur prob asking well how is your b/f
-He never graduated from high school or got his GED
-Hes just as bad, he has depression and anxiety.
-Doesn’t have a job
-Went to rehab for abuse of pain killers/
—–
This family is so dis functional I just don’t know what to do. Would this make you rethink the relationship?
Ambien users come forth, please? The rookie has a question?
I have been dealing with my 2nd bout of TRUE insomnia. This bout has gone all ten rounds as far as I’m concerned. It’s now almost may and this has been going on since later September 2009. It’s a wrecking-ball into my life’s structure. I started taking amphetamines in November along with an SSRI. The amphetamine surely doesn’t help anything, but it doesn’t affect anything either. Finally, after trying several things not meant or designed as sleep aids, I am prescribed 10mg of Ambien. I take it.. lay back on the massive number of pillows on my big comfy bed.. play relaxing music (Nick Drake and similar) and the result is that I’m just happy. I’m comfy, listening to great music. I close my eyes and wait for some heavy feeling to fall upon me. It doesn’t happen. I have even gotten up hours later from my attempt to achieve a nights rest and went about my business (repairs, gunsmithing, carpentry, electronics) with no inebriation/ill-effects, memory lapses.. then I pop my amphetamines and zoom zoom all systems a go. Eventually, I crash after a vicious cycle and sleep like an overwintering bear. OH and take klonopin and valium to boot. What is it? I thought ambiem was the miracle maker as far as sleep goes.
Just thought I’d state that I am not using multiple “benzo” drugs at once. I’ve just been Rx’d different ones. Also, the amphs. don’t really affect my ability to sleep. I have insomnia with or without (without it, I just don’t have the productive day I normally do). Insomnia came before amphetamines. Guess I can always try trazadone though Doc told me it’s probably not worth my time since seroquel and doxepin didn’t work. I just seem to be very tolerant of all substances. Wanted to try Soma but my doctor quickly said “Nah too addictive and it will knock you on your ass.” Isn’t that what I want? Geesh, I’m already on addictive meds and the sleep aid I seek is short term to balance/regulate my sleep pattern so I can stick to a schedule. I want to hear some experiences with Soma.. will probably post a question on that now.
First off amphetamines will keep you from sleeping. Trust me the do. I was taking ambien and it did not make me sleepy, it made me high. You are on too many addictive drugs. I suggest getting off amphetamines first, they will keep you awake and screw you up. Then drop the valium and kolonopin. Both addictive and lose effectiveness after a few weeks.
Trazadone is the best thing i’ve taken and heard the same from others. Trazadone is an anti-depressant that knocks you out everyday and you don’t build up a tolerance. Ask for it and please get off the addictive drugs.