What is Heartburn or GERD?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic digestive disease that occurs when stomach acid and bile flows back into your food pipe (oesophagus). There reflux of acid irritates the lining of your oesophagus and causes GERD. The symptoms of GERD include acid reflux and heartburn, which are common digestive conditions most people experience at some time. When these symptoms occur more than twice each week or interfere with daily life, it is called GERD.

People can manage the discomfort of heartburn with lifestyle changes and over-the-counter medications. But these remedies can offer only temporary relief. People with GERD tend to progress to stronger prescription medications, and even surgery.

GERD signs and symptoms include:
* A burning sensation in your chest (heartburn), spreading to the throat, giving a sour taste
* Difficulty swallowing
* Sore hoarse throat
* Dry cough
* Regurgitation of food (acid reflux)

GERD is caused by frequent acid reflux — the backup of stomach acid or bile into the oesophagus.
When you swallow, a band of muscle around the bottom part of your oesophagus relaxes to allow food and liquid to flow down into your stomach. Then it closes off again.
If the valve relaxes abnormally or it weakens, then stomach acid can flow back up into the oesophagus, to cause frequent heartburn. This constant contact of acid irritates the lining of your throat, causing it to become inflamed. Over time, the inflammation can cause complications such as bleeding or respiratory problems.

The risk of GERD is increased by;
* Pregnancy
* Obesity
* Smoking
* Diabetes
* Dry mouth
* Asthma
* Delayed stomach emptying

Over-the-counter treatments that can help control heartburn include:
* Antacids that neutralize stomach acid. But antacids alone won't heal an acid damaged oesophagus. Overuse of some antacids can cause side effects such as diarrhoea or constipation and many contain high amounts of Aluminium.
* Medications to reduce acid production. Called H-2-receptor blockers, these don't act as quickly as antacids, but they provide longer relief.
* Medications to block acid production and heal the oesophagus. Proton pump inhibitors block acid production and allow time for damaged oesophageal tissue to heal

Contact your doctor if these medications don't seem to be helping after a few weeks. If heartburn persists, your doctor may recommend prescription-strength medications. Surgery and other procedures can be used if medications don't help. Lifestyle changes can help lessen the frequency of heartburn. Consider the following;
* Reduce to a healthy weight. Excess weight puts pressure on the abdomen, pushing up the stomach, causing acid to seep into your oesophagus causing heartburn.
*No tight fitting clothing. Clothes that fit tightly around the waist put pressure on your abdomen and force acid up.
* Avoid foods that trigger heartburn. Common triggers such as fatty or fried foods, chocolate, mint, alcohol, garlic, onion and caffeine can aggravate heartburn symptoms.
* Don't lie down after eating. Wait at least two to three hours before lying down.
* Elevate the head of your bed with extra pillows or raising the height of the bed end with blocks puts gravity to work for you.
* Don't smoke. Smoking decreases the lower oesophageal sphincter's ability to function properly.
Control and management and cure of Heartburn is possible.