INTRODUCTION: Heartburn is a digestive problem that happens when stomach acid comes into contact with the lining of the esophagus, producing irritation. It has nothing to do with the heart though the irritation may be confused with heart pain and vice versa and is the most frequent symptom of a condition known as gastroesophageal reflux or acid reflux. It is often called acid indigestion and usually happens after meals and is a daily occurrence for approximately 10% of Americans and as much as 50% of pregnant women.

SYMPTOMS: Symptoms of acid indigestion and a heart attack may feel the same. One of the most common symptoms is spitting up. Heartburn symptoms are just flat-out uncomfortable and quite painful. However, many people will only experience the milder symptoms. Pay attention and treat it, especially if you feel symptoms often.

The good news is that making changes to certain habits can go a long way to preventing acid indigestion and other symptoms of GERD.

Heartburn is usually simple to diagnose from the symptoms you describe to your Physician. If there are any questions about the diagnosis, you may take the following tests to check for ulcers or other problems that might create your signs: barium swallow x-ray study of the esophagus, complete upper GI (gastrointestinal) barium x-ray study of the esophagus, stomach, and upper intestine endoscopy: a procedure in which a thin flexible tube with a tiny camera is put in your mouth and down into your stomach so your Doctor can see your esophagus and stomach.

To help reduce the symptoms you can try not to put a lot of pressure on the sphincter muscle. Seek emergency care if the following occur with the heartburn and do not go away within 15 minutes of treatment: shortness of breath; sweating; weakness; or arm, back, or chest pain.

FOODS: To minimize attacks, a sufferer may find benefit in avoidance of certain foods that relax the opening between the stomach and esophagus, such as chocolate, peppermint, and chamomile tea shortly before bedtime.

Restricting diet is very important, since 90-95 percent of sufferers of heartburn or esophageal disorder can link their signs to specific foods. If the sufferer finds that specific foods tend to make the problem worse, or more frequent, they would be better served to avoid them, or at least talk to their MD about products that can help reduce the quantity of stomach acid that can produce acid reflux.

CONCLUSION: Heartburn usually is due to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), the rise of stomach acid back up into the esophagus. Acid indigestion and reflux are very common, with 10 percent of the population experiencing these symptoms at least once a week and can be brought on or worsened by pregnancy and by many different medications.

It is common condition, and an occasional episode is usually nothing to worry about. Relief in the form of milk may be effective and drinking a small quantity of milk regularly over a period of time can begin to heal the effects as it washes acid back into the stomach.

An easy and relatively harmless way to treat a 1 time heartburn is to drink a solution of a small quantity of Sodium bicarbonate mixed with water, which rapidly neutralizes the acid that produces the pain.

Chewing gum can create short-term relief by stimulating the production of saliva, which dilutes and flushes out stomach acid. When heartburn happens frequently, however, or becomes severe, you should consult your Physician.

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