Heartburn: Causes, Prevention, Treatment
What is heartburn? Heartburn is a burning pain behind the breastbone. It is caused when stomach acid refluxes through the LES and irritates the esophagus.
What is heartburn? Heartburn is a burning pain behind the breastbone. It is caused when stomach acid refluxes through the LES and irritates the esophagus.
A proton pump inhibitor (PPI) is a drug used to reduce the production of stomach acid giving the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (first part of the intestines) time to heal from irritation and erosive damage. The decrease in acid production will also help reduce acid reflux related heartburn.
Those who are pregnant have fewer remedies for heartburn relief. Many foods, herbs, and OTC medications are considered harmful during pregnancy.
DGL improves LES tone and soothes the GI tract by coating and protecting against acid irritation like heartburn allowing irritated or damaged tissue to heal. Also, scientific studies have found DGL to be more effective in treating chronic acid reflux than commonly used antacids.
Researchers have linked proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) to liver disease. PPIs make changes to gut bacteria that promote liver disease in existing patients.
PPIs, a heartburn drug used by millions, are linked to a higher risk of death. Increased mortality rates are likely associated with PPI side effects.
Obesity is the leading cause of GERD symptoms. Weight gain increases the risk of GERD, including those whose weight is considered to be in a normal range.
Augmenting estrogen and progesterone through hormone replacement therapy (HRT) causes heartburn and acid reflux leading to increased risk of GERD symptoms.