Do you suffer from heart burn? What is the definition for it? People who suffer from heart burn experienced a burning sensation in the chest, or discomfort in the back of the throat, or a sour taste when the food comes back up.
Women and pregnant women suffer more than men. Weight is another factor. If you gain six pounds over your normal weight, you are up 38 percents in having acid reflux.
Five things you can do to ease acid reflux or heart burn pain.
Chew Gum
Chewing increases saliva flow, which helps washing down stomach acid from your esophagus. Chooz gum contains an antacid, and is available online.
Foods
Pay close attention to what you eat since a certain types of food can cause discomfort. Do not eat too close to bed time, because heart burn usually attacks at night. Make sure you drink lot of water to flush stomach acid.
Temporary Relief Antacids
Tums, or Rolaids, or Mylanta is available at over-the-counter drug section of the store. You can use this antacid for temporary relieve. However, you might need to talk to your physician if you take more than three to four times a week. Your doctor might suggest surgery for extreme case, or might just give you a prescription for medication.
Elevate the Head of Your Bed
Gravity is your best defense. Raise your head up, and lie on your side to keep stomach acid down.
Surgery Options
If you are considered having surgery to stop acid reflux pain, there is a new procedure called Plicator, which creates pleat to tighten the weak valve by a stapling device.
The new procedure with Plicator takes about 20 minutes, and has a major improvement in symptoms compares to traditional surgery.
The traditional procedure for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) involves wrapping the top of the stomach around the lower esophagus to tighten the floppy valve.
These two options are performed under general anesthesia and require a one to three day hospital stay and at least two weeks recovery period.
Foods and drinks are the major contributor to acid reflux. Do whatever you can to avoid the heart burn first before you decide on having surgery.
