Do you ever get that slight burning sensation that sits at the top of your stomach and increasingly becomes worse? Then within minutes you get that burning pain as if there was a miniature volcanic eruption. Heartburn is the absolute unwanted bastard child that just won’t go away. For me, it will come in spurts. I will be free from it for 9 months, yet it haunts me on that 10th month.
From what I know most heartburn victims are not so lucky. Consistent heartburn can be a continuous uphill battle. Then there are the ones who have GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) which is a serious case of the burns. The problem is that too many people do not take this health problem seriously. 1 and 18 Americans suffer from heartburn daily with 60 million suffering from heartburn in a month (almost 1 out of 6 Americans).
The problem with consistent heartburn (or GERD) is that if it goes untreated or not treated with proper medication it can destroy the lining of the esophagus. The destruction of the esophagus can change the makeup of that area causing cancerous cells to form. Once cancer forms in this area it can be very deadly due to the usually late prognosis.
There is no definite tactic that will stop heartburn from ever occurring yet there are foods and lifestyle changes that will help. For as much as I hate to say this but if you are a victim of heartburn than you might want to stay away from consuming too many acidic fruits; oranges or grape fruits will likely promote acid buildup while bananas or melons should minimize the buildup. In some cases bananas and melons may also do more harm than good but only in severe cases.
Sticking with your greens and chicken (without the skin) will also help in preventing that acid from rising. Also exercise while tossing that cigarette away for good will minimize the acid. Surprisingly taking prescribed antacids is not always the best way to go. Antacids decrease the amount of acid released in the stomach but does not prevent it from reaching the esophagus, resulting in silent destruction. So if the doc proscribes you antacids without checking to see if you are at risk for esophageal cancer you might want a second opinion.
Remember heartburn should not be taken lightly. If it occurs often don’t be afraid to have your doc check it out. It’s always better to find out sooner than later!
-Phil