It is the bitter truth: food is the lifeblood of humans. We thrive on it; we cannot exist without it. It goes without saying, this fact finds so much evidence.
The nutrients and energy that we derive from our food are imperatively necessary; as in, they keep us running throughout the day, letting our bodies carry on with their functions.
Food digestion is an incredible journey inside the human body, most centrally located in the stomach. After being swallowed, the food moves down the esophagus-a muscular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach-and eventually meets a powerful biochemical environment.
It is within the stomach that acids are released to break down our food into key compounds such as amino acids and proteins. Quite incredibly, these strong acids within the stomach do not destroy the stomach simply because of a lining within the stomach that protects the organ from potential injury.
However, the esophagus, which the food first goes through before entering the stomach, enjoys no such privilege. It does not possess this protective lining; thus, when acids of the stomach make their surreptitious ways back into the esophagus, they can cause havoc and light up burns that create discomfort and distress.
This unhappy experience goes by the name of heartburn-a fierce, unmistakable feeling that leaves any person in search of relief.
The initial stages of acid reflux normally present with an uncomfortable burning sensation in the chest. When left unnoticed, things can escalate to so much worse in no time.
A person could suffer from regurgitation, where recently eaten food often returns to the mouth, very frequently accompanied by sharp shooting chest pain and difficulty swallowing. Sometimes the acidity rises to the mouth and inadvertently results in dental erosion, thereby permanently disfiguring one’s smile.
But fear not, the mystery of heartburn is solvable.
The treatments are numerous, but how successful they will be depends upon the disease’s severity. Where the esophagus joins the stomach, there is a little valve called the lower esophageal sphincter or LES. It acts to block acid from the stomach from leaking back up into the esophagus.
But if this valve refuses to function, heartburn may ensue with that unrelenting burn of the chest as the acid level rises and burningly surges over an esophageal lining which simply cannot survive such an attack.
Innumerable medical treatments and surgical strategies have been devised against this acid demon. The objective is singular: to rid one’s life of heartburn once and for all and to eat one’s meals without anxiety and distress.
Antacids come over the counter in the forms of tablets or liquid. The liquid form is more comforting to most people since it tends to quench the burning sensation much quicker.
Antacids work by essentially forming a layer of foam over the top of the acidic content inside the stomach, thereby shielding the esophagus from leaking acid. Their full healing powers can unleash, however, only when they are chewed right.
Besides, medications can also fortify the muscles of the lower esophagus and thereby reduce the incidence of heartburn. Nonetheless, medications must be preceded by a physician’s advice. A physician will take into account the severity of one’s heartburn and recommend treatment for one’s case.
For people suffering from heartburn, the medical community usually prescribe lifestyle changes; changing the pattern of eating and living. Though difficult for some, it is worth a try by any person desirous of saving themselves from further distress. Invasive surgery may be prevented from being considered later if precautions against heartburn are taken as soon as the first signs appear.
If the pangs of heartburn do not let you be in peace, it will be advisable to consult a doctor as soon as possible. Prepare for the visit with the doctor in advance-read about the anatomy of heartburn to understand your problem better.
In this case, your physician will be in a better position to diagnose your problem more precisely and offer the right avenue toward wellness.
After all, heartburn may seem to be quite an odious foe; once aware of the right strategy, you will come out and again enjoy your meal, undisturbed by the ghosts of distress.
