Most people experience occasional heartburn, but for some people the condition can be chronic and disruptive. Chronic heartburn can lead to throat irritation and esophageal damage. Treatment is usually with lifestyle changes and over-the-counter medications, but some cases of chronic heartburn may require the use of prescription medications.
Causes
Although there are numerous risk factors for chronic heartburn, the primary cause is a weak or poorly functioning lower esophageal sphincter (LES) muscle. When functioning properly, this muscle opens to allow food to pass into the stomach, and then closes to prevent food and stomach acid from returning into the esophagus. When complete closure does not occur, stomach acid backs up into the throat and causes heartburn.
Lifestyle Changes
In most cases of chronic heartburn, lifestyle changes can eliminate or reduce symptoms. Quitting smoking and avoiding foods and beverages that trigger or worsen heartburn, such as alcohol, carbonated drinks, fatty and spicy foods, chocolate, citrus and mint can help, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Remaining in an upright or semi-upright position for at least two hours after eating and sleeping in a chair is . Eating smaller meals throughout the day instead of three traditional meals will minimize acid production and prevent heartburn, and losing weight reduces pressure on your stomach and helps prevent heartburn.
Medications
Several over-the-counter and prescription medications are effective in treating chronic heartburn. Over-the-counter antacids help neutralize stomach acid and offer quick-acting relief from chronic heartburn symptoms. The Mayo Clinic recommends using an antacid that contains a combination of aluminum hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide. Prescription medications are available when heartburn is severe. Prescription-strength H2 blockers work by decreasing acid production in the stomach. Proton pump inhibitors relieve symptoms and heal the lining of the esophagus in nearly all patients with severe reflux and heartburn, according to the American Gastroenterological Association.
Alternative Medicine
According to the Mayo Clinic, stress and anxiety can trigger or worsen chronic heartburn in some people. Stress reduction techniques, such as aromatherapy, hypnosis, massage, and guided imagery may provide chronic heartburn relief in these cases. Gentle exercise, such as bike riding and swimming, may also be beneficial to chronic heartburn sufferers. Exercise also promotes weight loss, which is a factor in heartburn.
Considerations
When heartburn occurs frequently, causing severe symptoms and esophageal irritation or damage, it is known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Symptoms of GERD include severe heartburn, frequent regurgitation, a sore throat and hoarse voice, trouble swallowing, bad breath, a dry cough, a sour taste in the mouth and the sensation of a lump in the throat. The NIDDK warns that untreated GERD can worsen asthma and pulmonary fibrosis, and may lead to esophagitis, strictures, Barrett's esophagus and esophageal cancer.
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