Identifying and Treating Heartburn: A Guide
Heartburn is a common ailment that strikes nearly all of us at one time or another. However, for some folks, heartburn becomes a regular and painful occurrence that can get in the way of everyday life if it is left untreated. The good news is that even if you suffer from bouts of this condition multiple times a week, there is help available. For some, it is as simple as dietary or lifestyle changes and for others, help may be found over the counter at the neighborhood pharmacy. Some sufferers may have to turn to their doctor for help, but doctors have plenty of solutions available for treating and reducing the painful symptoms when other remedies have not worked. If you suspect that you are a frequent sufferer of this painful condition, read on for what to look for and what to do about it.
Symptoms of Heartburn
You may be all too familiar with the uncomfortable symptoms of heartburn already. You know the burning feeling in your chest, which occurs within hours after a meal and gets worse when you try to lie down. You may also experience a sour taste in your mouth and painful swallowing if the acid backs up into your esophagus. You may also have trouble swallowing or develop a chronic cough as a result. Heartburn can keep you up at night and prevent you from enjoying many of your favorite activities, so it is important to learn to recognize the symptoms of heartburn so that you can treat them quickly and effectively.
Treatment of Heartburn
The first course of action in treating heartburn may be to avoid the particular foods that seem to bring it on. If you suffer from this condition a number of times a week, you may want to begin keeping a food journal that will help you to keep track of what you eat each day and when you experience symptoms. You can also try eating smaller meals and making sure that you allow at least two hours between your last meal of the day and bedtime. If these changes don't help to alleviate your symptoms, you can opt for an over the counter medication that is used to treat heartburn. Antacids are the most common choice for occasional heartburn, but frequent bouts may require an H-2 receptor blocker like Tagamet or Pepcid or a proton pump inhibitor like Prilosec that will block acid production.
Severe heartburn may need a visit to the doctor for a prescription treatment, but there are plenty of good choices here as well. Heartburn is painful, but there is help. Try the suggestions listed here or talk to your doctor today about the best remedy for you.
