as of November 21, 2009
Heartburn Corner
OVERVIEW
Heartburn is a painful burning sensation in the esophagus, just below or behind the breastbone. The pain often rises in your chest and may radiate to your neck or throat.
CAUSES/RISK FACTORS
Almost everyone has occasional heartburn. If you have frequent, ongoing heartburn, you may have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Normally, when food or liquid enters your stomach, a band of muscle at the end of your esophagus (called the lower esophageal sphincter or LES) closes off the esophagus. If this muscle fails to close tightly enough, stomach contents can back up (reflux) into the esophagus. This partially digested material is usually acidic and can irritate the esophagus, causing heartburn and other symptoms
SYMPTOMS
-Painful, burning sensation in the esophagus, just below or behind the breastbone
-Pain in your chest that may radiate to your neck or throat
CARE/TREATMENT
Avoid foods and beverages that can trigger reflux, such as:
-Alcohol
-Caffeine, carbonated beverages
-Chocolate
-Citrus fruits and juices
-Tomatoes and tomato sauces
-Spicy or fatty foods, full-fat dairy products
-Peppermint and spearmint
Changing your eating habits:
-Eat smaller meals. A full stomach puts extra pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), increasing the chance that food will reflux.
-Avoid eating or lying down within 2-3 hours of bedtime. Lying down with a full stomach results in stomach contents pressing harder against the LES.
-Avoid bending over or exercising just after eating.
Make other lifestyle changes as needed:
-Lose weight if you are overweight. Obesity increases abdominal pressure, which can push stomach contents up into the esophagus. In some cases, GERD symptoms disappear completely after an overweight person loses 10-15 pounds.
-Stop smoking. Chemicals in cigarette smoke weaken the LES.
-Sleep with your head raised about 6 inches. Sleeping with the head higher than the stomach reduces the likelihood that partially digested food will reflux into the esophagus. Place books, bricks, or blocks securely under the legs at the head of your bed. Or use a wedge-shaped pillow under your mattress. Sleeping on extra pillows does NOT work well for relieving heartburn.
-Avoid tight-fitting belts or garments around the waist. They squeeze the stomach, and may force food to reflux.
-Reduce stress. Try yoga, tai chi, or meditation.
If you still do not have full relief, try over-the-counter medications:
-Antacids work by neutralizing stomach acid.
-H2 blockers reduce stomach acid production.
-Proton pump inhibitors stop nearly all stomach acid production.
PREVENTION
To prevent heartburn, avoid foods and beverages that may trigger your symptoms. These include alcohol, caffeine, carbonated beverages, chocolate, citrus fruits and juices, tomatoes, tomato sauces, spicy or fatty foods, full-fat dairy products, peppermint, and spearmint.
Also, try the following changes to your eating habits and lifestyle:
-Don't smoke
-Sleep with your head raised about 6 inches
-Lose weight if you are overweight
-Reduce stress
-Avoid garments or belts that fit tightly around your waist
-Drink plenty of fluids
-Avoid bending over or exercising just after eating
-DO NOT lie down with a full stomach. For example, avoid eating within 2-3 hours of bedtime
-Eat smaller meals
Real Stories, Expert Advice
Health Corner Videos: Heartburn
How to Stop Heartburn: Prevention is Key
Every day, about 15 million Americans get heartburn. With simple meal planning, you don't have to be one of them. You know you should avoid spicy food, but there are a lot of other things that can trigger heartburn, too. There's a lot you can do to...
Resources
American Gastroenterological Association
MedlinePlus: Heartburn
National Heartburn Alliance
In the News: Heartburn
Reflux Esophagitis Due To Immune Reaction, Not Acute Acid Burn
Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:00:00 PST
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171581.php
Contrary to current thinking, a condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) might not develop as a direct result of acidic digestive juices burning the esophagus, UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers have found in an animal study. Rather, gastroesophageal reflux spurs the esophageal cells to release chemicals called cytokines, which attract inflammatory cells to the esophagus.
Addex ADX10059 Monotherapy Is Effective On GERD Symptoms In Phase IIb Clinical Trial
Mon, 16 Nov 2009 03:00:00 PST
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171047.php
Addex Pharmaceuticals (SWISS: ADXN), the allosteric modulation company, announced that it achieved statistically significant efficacy on the primary endpoint, increasing the number of symptom free days in the Phase IIb trial of ADX10059 as a monotherapy in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), the cause of heartburn and other symptoms.