Chronic medical issues, regardless of what they are, can disrupt your life and make regular activities such as eating, sleeping, or exercising difficult. This includes heartburn, an issue Dr. Vikram Jayanty commonly sees at his gastroenterology practice in Houston, Texas. If heartburn has been affecting your daily life, you've come to the right place for information about causes and treatment. Read on to learn more!
What is heartburn?
As you may know, heartburn doesn't actually involve the heart. However, within the body, the esophagus and stomach are located near the heart; in fact, the same nerves supply both the heart and the esophagus. When the acid in the stomach rises into the esophagus, it creates a burning sensation in that area of the body, along with an acidic taste in the mouth, bad-smelling breath, and even vomiting. Although most people have an episode of this nature a few times in their lives, many suffer from chronic heartburn, most commonly due to gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. Untreated GERD can lead to erosion of the esophagus, damage to the enamel of your teeth, and even gastric cancer.
How is heartburn treated?
If the source of your heartburn has been diagnosed by your Houston gastroenterologist, diet and lifestyle changes are typically the first method of treatment. This includes avoiding foods and drinks that trigger heartburn (alcohol, coffee, and fatty, spicy, or acidic food), pillows to elevate the head during sleep, and smoking cessation. Medication to reduce the amount of acid in your stomach may also be helpful; there are over-the-counter options in addition to prescription drugs. Surgery to strengthen the muscle between the stomach and esophagus is usually considered a "last resort" when more conservative treatments have failed to bring relief.
If you have frequent heartburn, we want to help you manage it! Call (713) 932-9200 for our gastroenterology practice in Houston, Texas, and ask for an appointment with Dr. Vikram Jayanty today!