Live Life Team
Treatment of Heart Burn
Changes In lifestyle an individual can help in the treatment of GORD. Some of the changes that one can make are-
-Stop smoking-smoking damages the digestive system and increases chances of GORD.
-Lose weight-Obese people have higher chances of developing Heartburn
-Keep check on substances that trigger and make the GORD worse-substances like alcohol, chocolates, tomatoes, and coffee, spicy and fatty food.
-Avoid large meals at once and eat less more frequent.
-Raise the head board of your bed-this helps in reducing the symptoms of GORD for a few people.
-Check on medication-individuals who are taking regular medication should inquire from the GP if certain medicines may be contributing to GORD and thus should take alternative medicines.
OTC or over the counter medicines are also available for heartburn. These medicines help in treating mild and moderate conditions of heartburn. Medicines like Antacids help to neutralize the effects of stomach acids. These medicines should be taken individually and not with other medications.
Proton-pump inhibitors (PPI’s)
The PPI’s is a one month course that the GP prescribes to the patient. This course of given to patients who failed to clear their GORD condition with medicines or self help techniques. The one month course is a course of proton-pump inhibitors which helps in reducing the amount of acid produced by the stomach. However PPI’s have certain side effects like, dizziness, constipation, headaches, diarrhoea , nausea, skin rashes and abdominal pain.
H2-receptor antagonists – THE H2RA’S are available over the counter in small doses .A larger dose is prescribed to the patient by the GP. It’s a medicine prescribed when the PPI’S fail to treat the GORD. The PPI’s is taken along with the PPI’S for duration of 2 weeks, This H2RA’s blocks the effects of the chemical histamine, which is used to help produce stomach acid.
H2-receptor antagonists do have certain side effects like the PPI’s.
Prokinetics – Severe GORD condition is treated by a short term dose of prokinetic. This is prescribed only when other forms of medicines fail to treat the GORD. It is given to individual only below the age of 20 years .for pregnant women, women in general and breast feeding women. Prokinetics is not given to individuals before the age of 20 as there is a risk of extrapyramidical symptoms occurring. The prokinetic empties the stomach more quickly and helps in less possibility of acids damaging or weakening the oesophagus.
Extrapyramidical symptoms are experienced by people who use prokinetics. Extrapyramidical symptoms are side effects that affect the nervous system .these symptoms are characterized by slurred speech, abnormal changes in body posture, difficulty in opening the mouth fully, muscle spasms and tendency to stick one’s tongue out of the mouth.
Occurrence of these symptoms is a sign that the individual should stop taking prokinetics immediately and should visit the doctor for further treatment.
Complications in heart burn
Oesophageal ulcers occur when there is damage to the lining of the oesophagus. Excessive acid produced by gastro-oesophageal reflux disease or GORD damages the lining. These ulcers bleed, and swell making swallowing for the individual difficult.
Oesophageal stricture-Repeated damage to the lining of the oesophagus leads to the formation of scar tissues that allow building up and making the oesophagus to narrow up. This narrowing is known as oesophageal stricture. This condition makes both swallowing of food, painful and difficult.
Prevention of Heart Burn
There are a number of ways that an individual can change in his lifestyle and prevent a heart burn from occurring. They are-
-A healthy diet for every individual, especially pregnant women who should keep their weight increase within limits.
-Management of weight-avoid putting on excess weight and becoming obese.
-Tight fitting clothes, particularly around the waist should be avoided.
-Avoiding fatty and spicy food.
-Whisky, brandy, and acid fruit drinks should also be avoided.
-Exercise after a meal should be avoided and the individual should always sit straight while having his meals.
-Smoking right after a meal increasing the chances of heartburn.
-Meals should be taken moderately and should avoid over filling your stomach. Intake of food at least 2 hours before sleep at night is important.
