Page 109 - (DK) Home Doctor: Providing practical advice on home treatments

COMMON CONDITIONS: CHEST AND ABDOMINAL PROBLEMS 107

Heartburn

Heartburn is a burning feeling that starts in your lower chest and
WARNING
stomach and may rise to your throat. You may have a bitter taste
in your mouth, and feel sick and bloated. Some people have a dry Seek immediate medical help if:
cough, especially at night. Heartburn often occurs after a heavy ● You have prolonged chest pain,
sweating, and shortness of breath
meal, and is more likely if you lie down or bend over. It is due to ● You are vomiting blood or
acid reflux, in which stomach acid leaks into the esophagus. passing black stools
● You have difficulty swallowing
See also Indigestion, opposite page.

What you can do yourself
DRUG REMEDIES
You should be able to prevent or relieve episodes
of heartburn with the following measures. Antacids (see p.177) neutralize stomach acid,
providing quick relief for occasional, mild episodes of
● Avoid foods likely to trigger heartburn, such as
heartburn. If you are taking other medication, avoid
citrus fruits, chocolate, spicy and fatty foods, coffee, taking antacids at the same time as antacids may
peppermint, and tomatoes. Avoid alcoholic or very reduce its absorption.
hot drinks.
H2-blockers (see p.183) work by reducing acid
● Try not to bend or stoop over. Don’t sit hunched in the stomach. If antacids are not effective, try a
up at your desk; this will encourage heartburn. short course (not more than 2 weeks) of a medicine
containing cimetidine or ranitidine.
● Don’t wear tight-fitting clothes or belts.
● Stop smoking; it may aggravate heartburn.
● Take an antacid or H2-blocker to relieve the
PRACTICAL TIP
symptoms (see DRUG REMEDIES, right).
● Eat small, regular meals rather than occasional Sleep with your head raised
big meals. Don’t eat within 2 or 3 hours of bedtime. To help prevent stomach acid leaking back into your
esophagus at night, keep your head higher than your
● Avoid analgesics or cold remedies that contain body. Prop up the head of your bed 4–6 in (10–15 cm).
aspirin or ibuprofen; they may aggravate heartburn. If you nap during the day, sleep upright in a chair.
● Try a soothing herbal tea to help relieve heartburn Raising the bed head
(see NATURAL REMEDIES, opposite page). Sturdy, solid objects, such as bricks
or pieces of wood, placed under
● Sleep with your head raised to help prevent acid the head of the bed help to keep
reflux (see PRACTICAL TIP, right). your head raised.
● If you are overweight, try to lose weight
gradually to ease pressure on your stomach.

Seek medical advice
Arrange to see your doctor if:
● Your symptoms become worse, or do not
improve after a week or two
● You are getting recurrent bouts of heartburn