Archive for December, 2011

Tips to Prevent Heartburn after Eating

Do you suffer from heartburn after eating? If so, you are not alone. Heartburn is most common directly after eating a meal; this is especially true if you have eaten a large meal. There are quite a few reasons one might experience heartburn after eating. Over-eating, eating certain kinds of food, and physical activities can all contribute to heartburn.

Heartburn symptoms can also be a chronic condition if you are pregnant, have hiatal hernia, or a damaged esophagus. There is good news, though. You may be able to prevent heartburn after eating (or at least limit its severity) by understanding how heartburn happens and knowing what you can do about it.

Understanding How Food Triggers Heartburn after Eating

Heartburn is a burning sensation behind the breastbone or inside of your throat. When we experience heartburn after eating, what we are actually feeling is the effect of stomach acids that have risen up from the stomach and into the esophagus, a process otherwise known as acid reflux. Normally, a muscle known as the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) prevents this from happening by sealing off the lower part of the esophagus after we’ve swallowed something. Sometimes the LES doesn’t close and that’s how acid reflux can occur.

Consuming food and drink causes the stomach to produce acids that help us to digest what we have swallowed. Certain types of food cause our stomachs to produce more of the acid and put us at a greater risk of heartburn after eating. In some cases, the LES is weak or damaged and doesn’t stop the acid from leaking into the esophagus; this is the case with hiatal hernia. Sometimes gastric pressure causes acids to be forced into the esophagus. Gastric pressure can occur when we wear tight clothing, bend over after eating, when lying down after eating, or because of an expanded uterus during pregnancy. Over-eating causes heartburn after eating because the stomach stretches, making it harder for the LES to do its job.

How to Lessen the Risk of Heartburn after Eating

Since acid reflux is caused by stomach acids entering into the esophagus, the best way to treat heartburn is to prevent that from happening. This can be accomplished by being mindful of the habits that cause us to experience heartburn after eating a meal. We can avoid bending over, lying down directly after we eat, or wearing a tight belt. We can avoid over eating or chew antacids after eating certain foods. Perhaps the easiest and most effective ways to prevent heartburn involve avoiding the foods that trigger heartburn after eating in the first place.

Foods to Avoid if You Experience Heartburn after Eating

The best way to prevent heartburn after eating is to simply avoid the foods that can trigger heartburn or only consume offending foods in moderation. Each person is different, so you may not experience heartburn for the same reasons as another. There are well-known trigger foods and drinks that can be avoided to prevent heartburn after eating. If possible, try to avoid fatty and spicy foods as well as those that contain the following ingredients: alcohol, chocolate, caffeine, citrus, tomato, some types of mint, and carbonation.

Here are some of the foods you should try to avoid whenever possible to help prevent heartburn after eating:

• Acidic fruits, juices, or sauces – Orange, grapefruit, lemon, cranberry, and tomato

• Fatty foods – ground beef, marbled cuts of meat, sour cream, whole milk products, full-fat cottage cheese, salad dressings, and oils

• Spicy foods – Containing hot sauce and other seasonings such as hot wings or spicy chili

• Also avoid consuming raw onions, coffee, tea, alcoholic beverages, and any carbonated drink as these can cause more acid production.

Natural Remedies for Heartburn after Eating

If you are unable to avoid the cause of heartburn, there are some remedies that may help to stop acid reflux or significantly reduce the severity of the episode. Not every remedy will work for every person in the same way that not every food item will cause heartburn for every person. Once you have discovered a remedy that works however, you can save tons on antacids and over-the-counter medications. The remedies below can help mitigate heartburn after eating and can work for those with a hiatal hernia, those who are pregnant, or even those who have GERD.

• Mustard – A tablespoon of mustard taken alone or with crackers may stop heartburn after eating if spicy foods do not cause you to feel heartburn.

• Apples or Apple Cider Vinegar – A tablespoon of apple cider vinegar take directly after the meal can help to calm stomach acids. It can be taken alone or mixed in with a drink. (Just be sure the drink isn’t the cause of heartburn.) Raw sliced apples are also known to soothe heartburn.

• Blanched Almonds – Chewing up to 8 almonds can have a soothing effect on heartburn. Just be sure to chew them well and avoid swallowing too much air.

• Unsalted Soda Crackers – Soda crackers contain bicarbonate soda that neutralizes acids.

• Iberogast – Iberogast is a diet supplement composed of many herbs that can work to significantly reduce heartburn after eating. Because iberogast contains peppermint, people who are sensitive to mint may not have favorable results with this remedy.

• Chewing Gum – Gum chewing produces saliva, a natural acid buffer. It also instigates more swallowing, which pushes acids back down into the stomach where they belong. Avoid gum that contains natural citrus fruit juices and mint flavors.

How Long Does Heartburn Last?

“How long does heartburn last?” is a common question among sufferers of acid reflux and other conditions that cause heartburn. Heartburn symptoms may last for only a few minutes or it may last for several hours. It can reoccur over a period of several days following a spicy meal or occur many times over a period of years depending on its cause.

The trigger for heartburn greatly affects the number of times one will experience bouts of heartburn. Conditions that trigger heartburn such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or hiatal hernia can cause episodes that last for several hours each. Food triggered heartburn in people with no other condition that predisposes them to acid reflux generally lasts just a few minutes or up to a few hours when those foods are consumed.

How long does heartburn last after eating a trigger food?

Foods that are acidic such as citrus fruits and those that contain caffeine such as coffee or chocolate can cause temporary heartburn. Other types of food and drink that are known to cause bouts of heartburn include alcohol, spicy foods, and fatty foods – to name a few. Heartburn brought on by foods usually lasts only as long as it takes the body to digest the food and clear it from the stomach area. It may take just a few moments or several hours for the heartburn to subside.

How long does heartburn last after over-eating?

Over indulging on your favorite spicy Mexican dish, that hearty winter chili, or having more than a few citrus and alcohol rich margaritas with dinner is another common trigger that can cause heartburn that seems to last. Over-eating may cause heartburn to linger on for several hours because it simply takes longer to digest more food. Over-eating also causes the stomach to stretch, which can make it impossible for the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to close, a muscle that prevents acid from entering the esophagus. Add a chocolate dessert and you have a triple threat for heartburn because chocolate is known to relax the LES.

How long does heartburn last if it’s triggered by hiatal hernia?

Most cases of heartburn occur because of a hiatal hernia in which a portion of the stomach extends up and into the esophagus. Where the stomach normally meets the esophagus, a muscle known as the LES works to keep food that has entered the stomach, as well as the acids in the stomach, from entering the esophagus.

Hiatal hernia weakens the lower esophageal sphincter, allowing food and stomach acids to easily back up into the esophagus and cause the symptoms of acid reflux, which includes heartburn. Hiatal hernia is often asymptomatic (showing no symptoms at all). For those that do experience symptoms however, acid reflux that causes heartburn is a very common complaint. Heartburn cause by hiatal hernia can last for several hours and generally subsides after food has been digested.

How long does heartburn last during pregnancy?

Heartburn occurs during pregnancy because of gastric pressure in the stomach that weakens the LES and allows food and stomach acids up and into the esophagus. As the uterus becomes larger, other organs are moved within the body cavity to accommodate the growing fetus. This applies pressure to the contents in the stomach. Additionally, hormonal changes cause acid reflux to occur more often as well. Heartburn during pregnancy will last from several minutes to several hours for the length of the pregnancy. Symptoms typically subside after birth.

How long does heartburn last if it’s a side-effect of medication?

Certain medications cause acid reflux and heartburn symptoms. In many prescriptions medications, this can be a temporary side effect that passes with time. However, heartburn that continues to occur may prompt you to discuss alternatives with your doctor. In either case, heartburn caused by medication may last for hours or days, depending on how your stomach reacts to the drug.

How long does heartburn last in people with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)?

GERD is a life-long condition that can be minimized by making appropriate lifestyle and diet choices. Just like food and medication triggered acid reflux, GERD is triggered by what we put into our stomach, how much we eat, and other variables that can cause temporary reflux. GERD simply refers to a chronic condition in which acid reflux or heartburn occurs on a regular basis following exposure to a trigger. Heartburn caused by GERD will last the same amount of time per episode, depending on the trigger. Episodes of heartburn can reoccur any time acid reflux occurs.

Heartburn and Nausea: Does This Mean I Have GERD?

Heartburn and nausea can be a troublesome duo for those that suffer from a chronic acid reflux condition known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD is a condition in which the acids in the stomach regularly breach the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) causing immediate discomfort, multiple symptoms, and long-lasting damages to the esophagus. Those who experience heartburn symptoms and nausea together or in phases directly after eating a meal may have GERD, but there are other possibilities that must be eliminated as well. Only a doctor can diagnose a specific condition. As a general guide however, there are a few digestive conditions that may cause heartburn and nausea.

Conditions that Commonly Cause Heartburn and Nausea

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

GERD is a condition in which the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) allows stomach acids to enter the esophagus. The LES usually closes after swallowing food to prevent this from happening, but it is normal for the LES to relax a few times a day. In people who do not have GERD, this relaxation may occur when the stomach is producing a large amount of acid due to an offending food or stress. This is the cause of occasional heartburn and nausea.

In people that have GERD, the LES relaxes more often and therefore allows acid to enter the esophagus more often. Over time, the exposure to stomach acids will damage the esophagus and cause esophagitis – another condition that causes heartburn and nausea even if it’s not caused by GERD. GERD is very common throughout the world and can be treated with lifestyle and diet changes, over the counter antacids and medication, or prescription medication when necessary. If your doctor determines that your heartburn and nausea are caused by GERD, he or she will likely help you determine the best course of treatment through a combination of all of these options.

The most common symptoms of GERD are heartburn and nausea. Less common symptoms that can assist in narrowing the problem down to GERD include sore throat, coughing, wheezing, feeling as though there is something “stuck” behind the breastbone, difficulty swallowing, regurgitation (substance enters mouth through the throat suddenly), and hiccups.

Esophagitis

Esophagitis is a common term that refers to any abnormal irritation or general inflammation of the esophagus. It is most commonly caused by GERD, but may happen with other conditions as well. Esophagitis can cause heartburn and nausea, along with other symptoms such as sore throat, painful swallowing, or hoarseness. As with all cases of heartburn, feeling it when you have esophagitis is caused directly by the irritation in the esophagus. Nausea with this condition is most likely caused by a secondary trigger. Alcohol and cigarette smoking can cause nausea and esophagitis. Additionally, alcohol can upset the stomach and relaxes the LES, making reflux more likely.

Irritation of the esophagus may lead to Barrett’s esophagus, which increases your likelihood of getting esophageal cancer. Two of the primary symptoms of esophageal cancer are acid reflux and nausea, so seeing a doctor when you have these two symptoms is important.

Peptic Ulcer

Peptic ulcers are small abnormalities in the lining of the small intestine that normally protects the organ from acids. You may have a peptic ulcer due to an infection, heavy alcohol consumption, tobacco use, or even from taking certain over the counter pain relievers. Peptic ulcers can make you feel like you are experiencing heartburn and nausea. While they do cause nausea, the feeling most people describe as heartburn is actually a burning sensation in the stomach area and not in the esophagus at all. Peptic ulcers may also cause abdominal pain and discomfort, as well as a feeling of being full even though the person hasn’t consumed enough to warrant a full stomach.

Dyspepsia (Indigestion)

Dyspepsia, or indigestion, is a general term for symptoms that occur right after eating and is used to describe a general feeling of discomfort in the stomach or abdomen. Many people assume that indigestion is a symptom of acid reflux. It is actually a separate condition that causes very similar symptoms. Indigestion may seem to cause nausea and heartburn, as well. However, the burning sensation that is often mistaken for heartburn is actually coming from the stomach and not the esophagus, much like a peptic ulcer.

Indigestion is caused by the same triggers that can cause acid reflux, making it difficult to discern between the two conditions. Both indigestion and heartburn are basically treated in the same ways unless there is a major underlying cause. Indigestion is a very common condition and isn’t usually a cause for alarm unless it persists for a long period of time. Sometimes, indigestion is associated with a swelling pancreas or gallstones and may indicate damage caused by over the counter pain medications. In these cases, there are typically other symptoms in addition to indigestion.

Bloating with Heartburn Could be a Sign of a Serious Condition

Bloating with heartburn is a sign that something in the digestive system is not working as it should. It may be a symptom of chronic acid reflux, a gastrointestinal infection, or a number of other commonly diagnosed digestive issues. Bloating with heartburn may also occur simply because the stomach is too full or because of an “off day” in the intestines. At the core of the problem, we experience these two symptoms for simple reasons.

Bloating is caused because of too much air (gas) in the stomach or somewhere in the digestive system. Heartburn symptoms are caused by acid reflux when the acids in our stomach make their way into the esophagus. Heartburn with bloating is common on occasion and shouldn’t warrant a trip to the doctor if it occurs infrequently or goes away with at-home treatment. The symptoms may also be caused by a serious condition which needs medical attention – especially if the symptoms persist for two weeks or are aggressively becoming worse even though you haven’t changed anything about your routine.

Some Conditions cause Chronic Bloating with Heartburn

Bloating with heartburn may be a symptom of a serious or significant digestive issue, though this isn’t always the case. Underlying conditions that cause this symptom are typically discovered by a doctor after numerous attempts to remedy the problem with over the counter medications and other remedies. Because nausea with heartburn can occur simply because we have eaten something too spicy or eaten too much, it’s easy to miss the signs that something else could be wrong. However, it is important to recognize that there are typically multiple symptoms that should be connected when there is an underlying condition at play.

If you experience heartburn with nausea daily and you do not intend to change your diet and lifestyle to accommodate acid reflux, or if the changes you have made do not seem to be working, you should seek a prescription from your doctor to prevent damage to your esophagus. Over time, a damaged esophagus can lead to serious problems including esophageal cancer.

You should also consider a doctor if you are experiencing any of the following serious symptoms in addition to heartburn with bloating:

• The feeling that you are choking

• Bleeding or coughing up blood

• Repeated vomiting

• Unable to eat enough food without feeling too full

• Loss of appetite and\or weight loss

• Difficult or painful swallowing

One of the most common conditions known to cause chronic bloating with heartburn is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD symptoms may also include sore throat, coughing, difficulty swallowing or a feeling that something is stuck in the throat behind the breastbone. GERD is treatable through diet and lifestyle changes, as well as over the counter and prescription medications. (The treatment for heartburn with bloating is similar for each type of underlying condition and is explained in further detail in the next section.)

Be Aware that Occasional Bloating with Heartburn is Normal

Though these conditions may seem like significant reasons for concern, one should not assume the worst. Since bloating with heartburn is often caused by some fairly common conditions like temporary acid reflux or over-eating, it may be best to take a simple approach at first. If you are unsure of why you are experiencing bloating with heartburn and it doesn’t happen very often, you may immediately benefit from a natural remedy or antacids. Avoid lying down or bending over and loosen your clothing until the symptoms subside. Bloating with heartburn will begin to fade as the offending food is cleared through the digestive system. Just be aware that some foods will cause systematic symptoms, e.g. bloating with heartburn can fade in abdominal cramps and diarrhea if you have consumed a food to which you are sensitive.

Whether you have a known gastric condition or you just feel bloating with heartburn after eating certain meals, it is in your best interest to investigate the items that may be triggering these feelings. The foods and drinks that cause temporary bloating with heartburn can also aggravate a serious condition, so the following tips are a great way to deal with the symptoms regardless of the underlying cause.

• Avoid Over-Eating – A stomach that is too full will obviously cause the stomach to stretch the feeling of bloating. With heartburn as a symptom, it’s the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) that has been stretched. This prevents the esophagus from closing and allows acid to enter.

• Avoid Eating Spicy or Fatty Foods – Spicy foods prompt more acid production and fatty foods slow down the digestion process. Together, these types of foods can cause heartburn that lasts for a few hours or more.

• Avoid Citrus Fruits, Carbonation and Caffeine – Drinks like tea and coffee or beer and sodas cause gas and acid production that lead to bloating with heartburn.

• Avoid Chocolate, Alcohol, and Mint – These items relax the LES so that acid can easily enter the esophagus.

Infant-Safe Treatments for Heartburn or Acid Reflux

Even for adults, heartburn or acid reflux symptoms in general are no laughing matter. We feel nauseous, bloated, sore throats, and of course the burning sensation we have come to know as heartburn. Unlike adults, infants are unable to give a voice to their heartburn symptoms.

This can be extremely frustrating for parents who may not really know what is happening or what to do about it. Not only do we have a fussy baby on our hands, but the poor thing cries through frequent episodes of regurgitation, arches his or her back in pain, and refuses to eat.

What you should know is that these are the classic symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in an infant. GER is actually quite common in children and most of the time it will go away by the time they reach eighteen months. Gastroesophageal reflux disease may be developing if your child continues to exhibit the symptoms of heartburn or acid reflux after this marker, which can lead to respiratory problems as well.

In addition to vomiting, arching, and refusing to eat, constant (or sudden) bouts of crying and hiccups may also signal a problem with the digestive system. Unfortunately, this doesn’t provide a clear picture of the problem because all of the symptoms are very similar to symptoms of colic or an allergy to a formula. It may be difficult to determine the exact nature of the problem since the infant is not capable of telling us where it hurts.

How the Pediatrician Tests for Heartburn or Acid Reflux

Like diagnostic testing for almost all other medical ailments, there is no exact science in determining if your baby has GER, GERD, colic, or just a formula allergy. Some methods include endoscopic procedures or testing the pH content of the reflux. A new technology known as impedance measurements allows doctors to obtain detailed information about what is happening in your baby’s esophagus to help determine the exact cause of the symptoms.

As a standard practice, a pediatrician might prescribe and H2- blocker or antacids on a trial basis to see if this causes symptoms of heartburn or acid reflux to subside. If the trial medication works, it is likely that the infant is experiencing GER. To eliminate the possibility of a formula allergy, the pediatrician may recommend simply changing to a formula with lower protein content.

If this corrects the problem, then heartburn or acid reflux was not the likely cause of symptoms. Occasionally, heartburn or acid reflux will also cause bleeding, inadequate weight gain, and respiratory problems that can assist in an accurate diagnosis of the condition.

Treatments for Infant Heartburn or Acid Reflux

There are a few approaches to treating an infant with heartburn or acid reflux that are similar to the methods used in adult treatments. Smaller, frequent meals can assist in relieving bloating or fullness that leads to heartburn. Be sure to burp your baby well and don’t wait until he or she is full to do it. Take breaks in feeding to burp him or her to lessen the likelihood of regurgitation.

Keep your infant sitting up during and after he or she eats. Adults experience more heartburn or acid reflux symptoms when they lie down after a meal and this is also true for your baby. Finally, you may try thickening the baby’s formula with rice cereal so it doesn’t rise up through the esophagus so easily. This measure won’t reduce the occurrences, but it can certainly help with the heartburn or acid reflux amount that travels higher into the throat.

Beyond these preventative measures, you may need to seek medications and assistance from the pediatrician. He or she may choose to start with a simple antacid to see if it will alleviate the symptoms. If antacids don’t work, the doctor may recommend H2-blockers and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are the same types of medicines prescribed to adults with GERD. These medications reduce the amount of acid secreted in the stomach, lessening the amount that can cause heartburn or acid reflux.

H2-blockers and PPIs come with a few side-effects, however. H2-blockers are considered safe for infants and when used to treat heartburn or acid reflux can cause constipation, diarrhea, or abdominal pain in infants. PPIs are new to infant treatments, but have been safe so far. The side-effects of PPIs occur over a long-term use of the medication and include liver damage and polyps. Even in adults, PPIs are considered as a treatment for only severe cases of GERD.