Heartburn: Living Well With Heartburn

Any heartburn sufferer can attest to the discomfort that heartburn brings. Fortunately, there are a number of ways in which one can manage the condition to reduce the pains associated with it.

Possible Approaches to Managing Heartburn
The approach used will depend mainly on the severity of the condition for each individual patient.

For mild and infrequent symptoms, one of the best ways to manage the condition is through simple lifestyle changes, such as altering the diet to cut out acidic, fatty and spicy foods and giving up smoking. If these lifestyle changes prove to be ineffective, there are a number of antacid medications which serve to neutralise the acidic content of the stomach to make the reflux less uncomfortable. If these measures do not fully solve the problem, do consult your doctor to find out more about the other ways you can tackle the condition.

If you have no further complications such as heart problems, an acid-suppressing therapeutic trial combined with histamine antagonists can be used to good effect to dampen down the production of acid within the stomach.

If further problems or complications arise from the ineffectiveness of this medication, an endoscopy can be used to get a closer look at the internals. Endoscopy is where a thin, lighted tube is passed down your esophagus. This tiny tube could uncover any damage to the oesophagus, including ulcers and inflammation, which can then be specifically targeted.

If the symptoms do not subside with treatment for more specific complications, you are faced with two further options. One option is to consider the 24 hour pH testing method or drugs such as pro-motility drugs.

If all else fails, there is the option of surgery. Although highly effective for the majority of patients, surgery does carry risks of complications and side effects which should be fully considered before deciding in favour of the procedure.

Living with heartburn can be problematic for even the best of us. It is important as a starter to avoid eating those foods which are known to increase acid production or are acidic in nature.

It is also a good idea to maintain an overall balanced diet, together with some mild, general exercise.

Heartburn is not the end of the world, and it does not mean you will have to give up partying or drinking alcohol but you should definitely give up smoking. Not only is this a good idea for curbing your symptoms, but it’s also an ideal excuse to kick the habit which costs you money and your overall health in the long term.

By: Leanne Bargatze