Heartburn Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment in Dallas

Heartburn Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment in Dallas is a burning pain in your chest that may come and go. The pain often gets worse immediately after eating, in the evening time, or when lying down.

Occasional heartburn is common and may not be caused by any underlying disease or condition. Some certain types of foods and drinks such as spicy foods, fatty foods, alcohol, caffeinated drinks, and carbonated beverages can lead to heartburn. Certain lifestyle behavior such as wearing tight clothes around your waist, smoking, and overeating can lead to heartburn.

Heartburn may also be caused by certain underlying conditions such as acid reflux.

Symptoms of heartburn

Common symptoms of heartburn include:

• A burning pain in the chest that may come and go
• Burning chest pain that gets worse when lying down, bending over, or during evening time
• Having bitter or acidic taste in the mouth

Causes of heartburn

Heartburn may not be caused by any underlying disease or condition. You could have heartburn when you eat spicy foods, fatty foods, fried foods, onions, citrus products, tomato products, peppermint, or chocolate. You could also have heartburn when you drink alcohol, carbonated beverages, coffee or other caffeinated beverages.

Heartburn may also be caused by acid reflux (when stomach acids move back up from the stomach into the esophagus and irritating the lining of the esophagus).

Treatment of heartburn

The first course of treatment for heartburn is practicing certain lifestyle and home remedies. If home remedies don’t work, you may need to take over-the-counter medications. You may need to take prescription medications only in rare cases where the heartburn is caused by acid reflux.

Lifestyle and home remedies

The lifestyle and home remedies that you may need to practice include:

Avoid tight clothes

Tight clothes around your waist can put pressure on your abdomen and lower esophageal sphincter. Avoid wearing tight clothes, especially around your waist and abdomen.

Avoid foods that trigger heartburn

Certain foods and drinks trigger heartburn as listed above. Avoid foods that trigger heartburn such as spicy foods, fatty foods, fried foods, onions, citrus products, tomato products, peppermint, or chocolate. Avoid drinks that trigger heartburn such as alcohol, carbonated beverages, coffee or other caffeinated beverages.

Maintain a healthy body weight

Excess weight can put pressure on your abdomen. The pressure can push up your stomach and cause stomach acid to move back up into your esophagus. Shed excess weight if you are overweight and maintain a healthy body weight.

Avoid lying down immediately after eating

Do not lie down immediately after eating. Food and stomach acid can move back up if you lie down immediately after eating. Wait for at least three hours after eating before lying down.

Avoid late meals

Eat evening meals as early as possible to allow much time for digestion before sleeping.

Elevate the head of your bed

Elevate the head of your bed by placing a wedge under the head of your bed to elevate your body from your waist up. You may also try raising your head with additional pillows.

Eat in smaller portions and chew thoroughly

Avoid eating large meals. Eat foods in small portions and chew thoroughly before swallowing.

Avoid smoking and alcohol

Smoking and drinking alcohol reduces the ability of the lower esophageal sphincter’s to function properly. Avoid smoking and intake of alcohol.

Over-the-counter medications

Over-the-counter medications that can help relieve heartburn include:

Antacids

Antacids help neutralize stomach acid and provide quick relief from heartburn.

H-2-receptor antagonists

These medications can help reduce stomach acid and provide longer-lasting relief.

Proton pump inhibitors

These medications such as lansoprazole and omeprazole can help reduce stomach acid.

FAQ:

What could heartburn be a sign of?

Heartburn could be a sign of acid reflux.

What relieves heartburn immediately?

Drinking herbal tea, low-fat milk, fruit juice, smoothies, coconut water, or water can help relieve heartburn immediately.

How do I know if it’s indigestion or heartburn?

Indigestion can cause heartburn but heartburn may not necessarily be a result of indigestion. Indigestion is discomfort in your upper abdomen that can be caused by eating too much, drinking too much, or food intolerance.

Heartburn occurs when your stomach acids move up from your stomach into your esophagus. Heartburn is a feeling of burning pain in your chest.

When should I be worried about heartburn?

If your heartburn is more frequent or interferes with your ability to perform daily tasks or routine, it may be a cause of concern that requires medical attention.

Why am I suddenly getting heartburn?

You can suddenly have heartburn if you eat spicy foods, fatty foods, fried foods, and other foods or liquids that trigger heartburn. You can suddenly get heartburn if you lie down immediately after eating, drink alcohol or smoke, eat late at night, wear tight clothes, eat large portions of foods, or don’t chew thoroughly.

Does drinking water help heartburn?

Yes. Water helps with digestion and heartburn.

What can I drink for heartburn?

If you have heartburn, you can drink water, herbal tea, low-fat or fat-free milk, fruit juice, smoothies, or coconut water.

Is milk good for heartburn?

Low-fat or fat-free skim milk are good for heartburn. Avoid milk that are high in fat.

How do you stop heartburn?

You can stop heartburn by following all the lifestyle and home remedies stated above.

How do I stop heartburn at night?

You can avoid heartburn at night by sleeping with your head elevated, sleep on your left side, eat smaller portions of food and chew thoroughly before swallowing, eat early and take at least 3 hours after eating before sleeping.

What foods are bad for heartburn?

Foods and drinks that are bad for heartburn include alcoholic drinks, black pepper, garlic, raw onions, and spicy foods, fried foods, tomatoes, chocolate, citrus fruits and products, coffee and caffeinated drinks, carbonated drinks, and peppermint.

Are bananas good for heartburn?

Yes. Banana is a low-acid fruit and high-fiber. It is good for heartburn.

What should I eat if I have heartburn? 

Eat low-acid foods such as banana, vegetables, oatmeal, lean meat, seafood, non-citrus fruits, and foods that are low in fat.

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