How Long Does Heartburn Last, Syptoms and Treatment

How Long Does Heartburn Last

As stated earlier, heartburn could cause problems such as nausea, swallowing burping, bloating and burning pain. These symptoms sometimes could last for about two hours or even longer. Nevertheless, there are various ways for people experiencing heartburn to reduce the intensity, regularity and duration of episodes.

 

How to Prevent Heartburn

Below are tips that can help you to prevent heartburn from occurring, they include the following:

First of all you should do your best to avoid foods and drinks that can trigger heart burn such as chocolate, garlic, citric fruits, full fat dairy products, coffee, spicy or fatty foods, onions, carbonated drinks, alcohol, peppermint, items that are caffeinated and tomatoes and tomato sauces.

When you have just finished eating avoid bending over or exercising

Eat some hours before bedtime, about 3-4 hours is okay. Going to bed with a full stomach can be harmful. This will allow the food have enough time to digest and move from your stomach as well as giving acid levels the chance to reduce before you lay down. Lying down with your stomach full can cause the contents in your stomach to press hard against the LES.

Try to eat smaller portions of food

Avoid wearing tight fitting clothes especially around the stomach area. Also avoid using belts that are tight as along with the clothes they can squeeze the stomach which force food to reflux.

If you are overweight try as much as possible to lose weight. This is important because obesity puts pressure on the stomach. The pressure on the stomach can push its contents back to the esophagus. It has been noticed that symptoms of GERD goes away after a person who is overweight loses some pounds.

When sleeping, raise your head about 6 inches. When you sleep with your head and chest higher than your stomach and legs, it helps to prevent food that is digested from going back into the esophagus. Place an object under the legs of the head of your bed when sleeping. Sleeping with an extra pillow may not be a good idea for relieving heartburn because while sleeping your head may slip of the pillow.

If you smoke you should try to quit because chemicals like nicotine in sticks of cigarette make the LES weak

Try to relax in order to reduce stress levels. This should be done especially before you retire to bed at night. Try out activities that will make you unwind such as yoga, meditation, tai chi among others to help you relax and reduce stress levels

When you decide to exercise or workout ensure you get the timing right. Such activities should be done at least two hours after you have eaten. Doing it sooner may cause heartburn to occur.

When Do You Need To See A Doctor

You should immediately seek medical attention if you are experiencing severe chest pain or pressure especially if you notice this along with other symptoms such as feeling pain in the jaw or arm or finding it difficult to breath. This is important because chest pain could also be a sign or symptom of a heart attack.

Also try to see your doctor if you experience the following:

If your heartburn happens more than twice a week or if you have been experiencing heartburn more than once a week for about six months or more and it does not get better

You find it difficult to swallow

You have cough or wheezing that is hard to get rid off

The symptoms continue to show up despite you using over the counter medications or you feel one of the medicines you are taking may be causing heartburn. See a doctor before you stop taking the medicine or change the medicine

You experience frequent vomiting or nausea or you vomit contents that look bloody or looks like coffee substances

When you stool the color is black or maroon

You lose weight because you find it hard to eat and experience poor appetite

How To Prepare For Your Appointment With Your Doctor

You should know the pre appointment limitations you have such as if you are not to eat any solid food on the day of the appointment

Before going for the appointment you can write down your symptoms including those that do not seem related to the reason you are going for the appointment

Also write down all the medications you have been taking including vitamins and supplements

Also you should write down your significant medical information as well as other conditions

You can as well write personal information such as recent changes or triggers of stress in your life

Write down the questions you will like to ask your doctor

You can also go along with a friend or colleague to keep you company and provide you with some support as well as help with talking and asking the doctor questions

Questions You Can Ask Your Doctor

What are the likely causes of my symptom?

Is your condition a temporary case or a more serious case?

Do I need to any tests and if so how do i prepare for them?

What are the likely treatments available?

Do I need to change my diet or change the food i eat?

Can i effectively manage issues of heartburn with other health conditions i may have

What Your Doctor Is Likely To Do

Your will likely ask a lot of questions and you should prepare yourself to answer them accordingly. Some of the questions include:

When did you start to notice your symptoms and how severe have they been?

Have your symptoms been regular or occur once in a while?

Is there anything that seems to make your symptoms improve or become worse?

Are they worse after you eat or after you lay down?

Do wake up at night because of the symptoms?

Do you feel food or any sour content come up in the back of your throat?

Do feel nauseous or feel like vomiting?

Do you find it difficult to swallow?

Do you feel you have gained or lost weight?

Likely Test To Undergo

To find out if your heartburn is symptom of GERD, there are some tests your doctor may recommend you do the following tests

An X-ray to see the condition and shape of your stomach and esophagus

An endoscopy if your esophagus has any abnormalities

An esophageal motility test to determine the pressure and movement in your esophagus

 

Treatment of Heartburn

There are several medications available over the counter that can help in relieving heartburn such as antacids that help to neutralize acid in your stomach. They may offer you some quick relief but will not be able to treat an esophagus that has been damaged by acid in the stomach. Other options include proton pump inhibitors which can help in reducing stomach acid.