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Chronic Heartburn, Do Not Ignore It
By admin | April 21, 2008
Chronic heartburn is a curse that never seems to end. Even if you have a short period of relief you know in the back of your mind that it is still there ready to reappear at any moment. Chronic heartburn can be defined as suffering from heartburn symptoms 3 or more days a week over the period of more than 30 days. Many people choose to ignore its symptoms because they are too busy or they think they can live with the discomfort and pain. They simply head to the local pharmacy and stock up on the latest over the counter antacid to deal with the symptoms. Eventually you come to the realization that chronic heartburn is not a condition that is easily cured. Failure to address your frequent or chronic heartburn symptoms may lead to a more serious health condition.
Many times chronic heartburn symptoms can be controlled or lessened through changes in lifestyle. Some of these changes are relatively simple and painless while others are more difficult and require a discipline. The easiest of these lifestyle changes comes in the form of how you eat your meals. Eating 5 or more smaller meals each day will immediately reduce your heartburn symptoms. Smaller meals cause the stomach to produce less acid and that reduces the pressure stress on the lowers esophageal sphincter (LES) muscle. The lower sphincter is the valve located between the stomach and the esophagus that prevents acid from refluxing up into your esophagus which causes the heartburn pain you feel. Of course changing your diet to reduce the ingestion of acidic foods will go a long way to reducing your Chronic heartburn as well.
Restricting the amount of caffeine will also reduce your chronic heartburn symptoms Cutting back on caffeine may be more difficult then changing your eating habits but it really necessary if you are going to get rid of your chronic heartburn. . Caffeine causes the LES to relax allowing acid to reflux up the esophagus. Chronic heartburn is also directly linked to smoking and the ingestion of alcoholic beverages. Changing ones lifestyle to stop this behavior can be difficult. In fact a great deal more difficult for many people especially those born with genetics that give one a predisposition for addiction. Never the less if you are serious about stopping your chronic heartburn you should seriously consider making the lifestyle change.
If you suspect that you have chronic heartburn it would be very prudent to schedule an appointment with your personal physician. This will accomplish several things. The first will be to allow your doctor make a correct diagnosis your condition. Occasionally heartburn symptoms will mask another medical condition so a correct diagnosis is important. Second your doctor will be able to determine if you heartburn has progressed to the point that you have developed gastoesophageal reflux disease. If that is the case then further medical options will have to be explored to address this condition. Third your medical professional will be able to prescribe the right medication to help you control your symptoms while you are making the required lifestyle changes to stop you chronic heartburn. A delay in addressing your chronic heartburn may in some cases lead to irreversible damage or condition. The choice is yours but basically there is no reason for you to continue to suffer from your chronic heartburn.
James Kesel, MS. is the publisher of Acid Reflux Heartburn Cure. The site provides information on GERD, Acid Reflux Disease, Heartburn, Heartburn Medication, Gastric Reflux or Acid Reflux Disorder.
Tags: Acid Reflux, Chronic Heartburn, GERD, Heartburn
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Topics: Health and Fitness |
