Heart Burn

Acid rising from the stomach and irritating the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the valve that separates the esophagus from the stomach, results in the feeling of what is commonly called heartburn. Occasionally it may feel like food is coming back up, and may get an acid or bitter taste in the back of the mouth. Heartburn is often worse after eating, or when lying down, straining or bending over.

Heartburn is very common, up to 1 in 5 experience heartburn at least once a week.  More chronic and ongoing heartburn is something known as GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease. This more serious level of the burning and discomfort can lead to long term complications. One must realize that the heartburn is NOT about heart issues.

Sometimes this chest pain is confused with heart pain. If anyone is unsure about the cause of any pain in chest, be sure to have a thorough exam by a physician.

Causes

Almost everyone has heartburn sometimes. As mentioned above, there are several interrelating factors and cofactors that can contribute to the weakening of the LES or to extra acid secretion in the stomach. Those include:

1. Genetic tendency.

2. Lifestyle patterns: including smoking (that contributes to weakening of the LES) and stress evoked either by inadequate sleep, emotional pressure or work overload. Excessive stress can trigger digestive problems, weaken the immune systems and encourage Candida overgrowth, thus contributing to acid reflux disease.

3. Dietary patterns: the daily consumption of foods that trigger acid secretion (i. e. peppermint, tomatoes, citric fruits, chocolate etc.), foods that contribute to the weakening of the LES (fatty foods, spicy foods, chocolate) and hard to digest foods can exacerbate acid reflux.   

4. Hiatal Hernia: This is a physical condition where part of the stomach protrudes through the diaphragm. It can generally be reduced without surgery, though even when present it is not necessarily the sole cause of heartburn.

5. Low Acid Production: Ironically, low stomach acid levels can result in heartburn. This is much more common than increased acid. This problem can be assessed clinically and is readily treatable.

6. Pregnancy & Obesity: These are related in that both put pressure on the stomach, decreasing its volume and forcing food back from whence it came.

7. Smoking: Smoking also causes the lower esophageal sphincter to relax, leading to heartburn.

8. Many medications can bring on heartburn or make it worse.

Drugs that can cause heartburn include:

·        Anticholinergics (e.g., for sea sickness).

·        Beta-blockers for high blood pressure or heart disease.

·        Calcium channel blockers for high blood pressure.

·        Dopamine-like drugs for Parkinson's disease.

·        Progestin for abnormal menstrual bleeding or birth control.

·        Sedatives for anxiety, or if you can't sleep (insomnia).

·        Theophylline (for asthma or other lung diseases).

·        Tricyclic antidepressants.

 Treatment

Although heartburn symptoms vary from patient to patient, there are general treatment guidelines, based on frequency of heartburn, to direct individuals to the most appropriate and effective medication options.

Medications are common in acid reflux treatment. The simplest of medications for acid reflux treatment are the antacids, which can be bought over the counter. Antacids are usually the first drugs recommended for acid reflux treatment. The antacids neutralize stomach acid so the reflux contains no acid to burn the esophagus. The main drawback of antacids in acid reflux treatment is that they empty quickly from the stomach and then the acid returns. A foaming agent is another acid reflux treatment.

Histamine antagonists, known as H2 Blockers help to stop acid production. This acid reflux treatment prevents histamine from stimulating acid producing cells. The receptor they block is known as the histamine type two receptor. The H2 antagonists should be taken thirty minutes before meals to be an effective acid reflux treatment. The H2 blockers relieve the symptoms of acid reflux, but do not heal the inflammation of the esophagus that often accompanies acid reflux.

Another acid reflux treatment medication are the Proton Pump Inhibitors. It is more effective than the H2 Blockers. The Proton Pump Inhibitors both block the secretion of acid into the stomach, and protect the esophagus from acid so the inflammation heals.

 Self Care

•    Eat small regularly spaced meals rather than fewer heavy meals. Foods with high fat and protein contents (including dairy produce) stimulate acid production and delay gastric emptying.

•     Avoid irritant food triggers: e.g. highly spiced or chilli-containing foods, acidic fruit juices, caffeine containing drinks, tomatoes, and foods with high osmolarity such as chocolate.

•    Avoid exercise or tasks involving lifting or bending soon after eating.

•     Avoid eating close to bedtime.  A gap of at least 3 hours between the last meal of the day and retiring is recommended.

•    Raising the head of the bed on blocks can help to reduce positional reflux and heartburn at night.

Homeopathy for Heartburn

In treating heartburn, a skillful homeopath will assess the patient's emotional characteristics, constitutional attributes, and the precise nature of the symptoms in order to choose an effective remedy that will alleviate the severity and frequency of the problem. The homeopathic remedy also readuces the future recurrence of the symptoms and can support the patient to eliminate the use of medications.

Among the numerous possible homeopathic remedies that can help with heartburn are the following: Nux vomica, Arsenicum album, Carbo vegetabilis, Lycopodium, Bryonia, Natrum carbonicum, and Pulsatilla.