Understanding Frequent Heartburn

Heartburn is a burning sensation in the chest caused by acid reflux that millions of people experience every now and then. While most people only experience heartburn once a month or less, some experience what's known as frequent heartburn. As far as heartburn is concerned, it can be designated as frequent if it occurs more than twice per week. If you fall into this category, keep reading to learn more about causes and cures for this problem.

One cause of chronic or severe heartburn might be GERD, which stands for gastroesophageal reflux disease. The most common symptom of GERD is chronic acid reflux which leads to heartburn. While this disease can be effectively treated, it is one that requires treatment to be maintained for years, even for a lifetime. Often, GERD is treated with a prescription medicine known as a PPI or proton pump inhibitor. Once only available with a prescription, Prilosec OTC is the only over the counter proton pump inhibitor out there today. All of the others must be prescribed by your doctor.

What if GERD is not the problem? Sometimes, less common conditions like hiatal hernia or peptic ulcer can also cause chronic acid reflux. If you go to your doctor and do not have any of these conditions, perhaps the problem is dietary in nature. Modifying what, how and when you eat can sometimes provide a great deal of relief for heartburn sufferers.

Eating small meals spaced evenly through the day and avoiding food in the last few hours before going to bed can help prevent acid reflux. Also, it can really help to avoid certain foods. Fatty, spicy foods and acidic foods like citrus and tomato can often trigger acid reflux and heartburn.
Caffeinated drinks, chocolate, and alcohol are also potential culprits. Even smoking cigarettes and wearing tight clothes can be factors in heartburn. In addition to changing your dietary and lifestyle habits, over the counter antacids can often also provide relief.

Always check with your doctor before taking antacids, however, because they can interact with certain medicines. If you suffer from frequent heartburn, your doctor needs to figure out why. Once the cause of the problem is determined, your doctor can decide what kind of treatment will work best for you. Sometimes the solution is diet and lifestyle related, other times you may need a prescription in conjunction with dietary changes.

Copyright 2006 Jim Sterling - All Rights Reserved

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