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GERD Heartburn
By admin | October 25, 2008
Millions of people in America experience heartburn symptoms at one time or another. Most people who do experience these symptoms usually just pass them off as a normal reaction after eating something that may cause heartburn such as fried or spicy foods. What they do not know is it could be something worse than just your occasional heartburn. It could be GERD heartburn. GERD is the abbreviation for gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Despite its name, GERD heartburn actually has nothing to do with the heart. When stomach acids seep back up into the esophagus it is called reflux. This is what causes heartburn. It is called heartburn because the symptoms can occur in your chest and you may even think you are having a heart attack. You may feel a burning or warming sensation in your throat and breastbone area. These symptoms usually occur after eating, especially if you bend over or lay down right after.
When you eat, the food goes down your esophagus to a valve that opens to let food into the stomach. Once the food passes into the stomach the valve is supposed to close, but if you have GERD heartburn that valve will not close correctly. The valve is what keeps the food, stomach acid and stomach juices in your stomach, if the valve is not working properly, acid can seep back up into your esophagus which leads to heartburn symptoms.
Your doctor can diagnose GERD heartburn through a physical examination. For most cases only a physical exam and treatment is necessary to be diagnosed with GERD heartburn. In some cases the doctor may do an endoscopy exam. This is a test that will let the doctor look into your esophagus and stomach through a tiny camera in a thin, lighted tube. Another way to diagnose GERD heartburn is for the doctor to do a series of upper gastrointestinal x-rays. These x-rays can also show other health problems that may be causing your symptoms.
Once you have been diagnosed with GERD heartburn your doctor may prescribe you with some antacid medications such as Pepcid or Prilosec. Your doctor may recommend that you change your diet or even try and shed some weight. If your GERD heartburn is serious enough, your doctor may recommend surgery. In some cases people have still needed medicine to keep their symptoms at bay even after surgery.
GERD heartburn can also be found in infants and children. Women are also at risk for severe heartburn during pregnancy. GERD heartburn is a serious disease and should be considered as such. Stomach acid can have harmful effects on the lining of the esophagus. Therefore,it is imperative that you should see a doctor about your heartburn as soon as you can to check if GERD heartburn or normal heartburn is causing the symptoms you are having. This article is in no way a substitute for professional medical advice. .
Topics: Acid Reflux, Heartburn, gerd | No Comments »