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Holiday Heartburn: Don’t Play with Fire
Eva J. Christian, PharmD Candidate 2009
Bernard J Dunn School of Pharmacy, Shenandoah University
Prepared during Consumer Health Information Corporation Clerkship
McLean, VA
Holiday feasting on richer, fattier foods followed by a nap or lounging in front of the TV is a sure-fire set up for heartburn. The holiday dinner is so good, you can’t resist going back for a second, or even a third, helping. After a while you notice a burning feeling in your chest, under your breastbone, which painfully moves upward. This is heartburn.
The most common symptom of heartburn is a burning pain in your chest, right under your breastbone. In addition to those who suffer from seasonal overeating, many Americans suffer from heartburn regularly.
How often? |
% of Americans having heartburn |
Once a day |
7% |
Once a week |
14% |
Once a month |
44% |
What causes heartburn: When you swallow, the food or liquid passes down a tube (called the esophagus) that connects the throat to the stomach. A small muscle around the bottom of your esophagus must relax in order to let food and liquid flow into your stomach. Once the food or liquid gets into the stomach, this small muscle must close so the food or liquid can’t back up into the esophagus. When this muscle doesn’t work correctly, stomach acid can leak out and flow back up into the esophagus. This is why some people can taste acid in their throat. Some of the common symptoms of heartburn include:
- Burning feeling in your chest or stomach
- Pains after eating
- Sour taste in your mouth due to stomach acid
- Pain can travel up to neck or arms
- Certain foods or medicines can increase symptoms
Complications of heartburn: Most of the time, heartburn only occurs once in a while. However, if it happens often or is severe, you might have chronic heartburn. This may mean that you have Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, also known as GERD. If untreated, GERD can lead to serious complications such as:
- inflammation or narrowing of the esophagus
- esophageal cancer
You should talk to your doctor if you think you are having a heart attack or if you have heartburn:
- more than a few times a week
- that doesn’t go away after taking antacids or comes back after the antacid wears off
- that prevents you from sleeping well
Treatment of heartburn: There are several lifestyle modifications that may help you decrease symptoms. These changes can decrease the pressure on your stomach. This can help prevent acid from flowing back into the esophagus.
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Lifestyle Changes |
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Eat smaller portions of food |
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Eat meals 2-3 hours before lying down |
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Sleep on an incline with your head and chest higher than your stomach |
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Lose weight if you’re overweight |
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Avoid tight-fitting clothes |
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Quit smoking |
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Avoid bending over or stooping, especially right after eating |
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Avoid foods that can make heartburn worse, such as alcohol and fatty foods |
If these simple measures do not help, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about medicines that can relieve symptoms of heartburn or help prevent serious complications.
Don’t let heartburn ruin your day: With the proper medicines and lifestyle changes, you can control your heartburn symptoms without them controlling you. If you suffer from heartburn often, make sure to talk to your doctor or pharmacist about which treatment is best for you. You want to keep your heartburn under control so that you don’t develop serious complications. Don’t give up…. Remember, you’re in control.
© 2008 Consumer Health Information Corporation. All rights reserved.
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