Heartburn, also called acid indigestion, is the most common symptom of GERD and usually feels like a burning chest pain beginning behind the breastbone and moving upward to the neck and throat. Many people say it feels like food is coming back into the mouth leaving an acid or bitter taste.The burning, pressure, or pain of heartburn can last as long as 2 hours and is often worse after eating. Lying down or bending over can also result in heartburn. Many people obtain relief by standing upright or by taking an antacid that clears acid out of the esophagus. Heartburn pain can be mistaken for the pain associated with heart disease or a heart attack, but differences exist. Exercise may aggravate pain resulting from heart disease, and rest may relieve the pain. Heartburn pain is less likely to be associated with physical activity.
Dietary and lifestyle choices may contribute to heartburn. Certain foods and beverages, including chocolate, peppermint, fried or fatty foods, coffee, or alcoholic beverages, may weaken the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) causing reflux and heartburn. Studies show that cigarette smoking relaxes the LES. In addition to finding relief through antacids or lifestyle changes, several advanced surgical techniques are also available for treatment purposes. These procedures usually aim to tighten the lower esophageal sphincter, and thus stop the backwash of acid into the esophagus. Suggested lifestyle changes to alleviate heartburn include:
Decreasing the size of portions at mealtime may control symptoms
Eating meals at least two to three hours before bedtime may lessen reflux by allowing the acid in the stomach to decrease and the stomach to empty partially
Many overweight people find relief when they lose weight
Elevating the head of the bed on 6-inch blocks or sleeping on a specially designed wedge reduces heartburn by allowing gravity to minimize reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus
