Focus on Healthy Aging - I have terrible heartburn. What can I do to relieve it?
Heartburn occurs when harsh stomach acids back up and come into contact with the delicate lining of the esophagus. It can feel like a burning pain in your chest and throat. Everyone’s heartburn triggers are a bit different, but you’re more likely to get it after eating anything spicy, fatty, or greasy.
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Eating a big meal or eating quickly also can trigger it. To avoid getting heartburn, try eating smaller portions, eat more slowly, and finish dinner at least 2 to 3 hours before going to bed, because lying down can allow more acids to move up into the esophagus. There are several over-the-counter medications available to treat heartburn, including antacids (Tums, Maalox, Rolaids), which neutralize stomach acids, and histamine-2 or H2 blockers (Pepcid AC and Zantac 75), which block acid production in the stomach. A newer family of heartburn drugs called proton pump inhibitors (Prilosec) that are also available over the counter work by blocking stomach acid secretion. Because the symptoms of heartburn can mimic those of a heart attack, get immediate medical help if you have chest pain that lasts more than a few minutes, or any other symptoms associated with a heart attack (nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath). See your doctor if your heartburn doesn’t respond to treatment, or if you notice blood in your stools (tarry or black stools), chest pain, choking, difficulty swallowing, or unexplained weight loss.
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