How are Acid Reflux and Heartburn Related?

Acid reflux and heartburn are known to be closely related. Heartburn is a common condition and is believed to affect millions of people in the United States. The elderly are more susceptible to the pain and discomfort of acid reflux and heartburn. The people afflicted with heartburn tend to complain of a burning sensation in the chest area or throat. Occasionally, the sensations are so bad that sufferers of heartburn mistake them for the onset of a heart attack. This usually scares them into seeking medical attention. Although acid reflux and heartburn are closely related; other factors may bring on the misery of heartburn.

Stressful jobs and lifestyles are believed to be major contributors to the onset of acid reflux and heartburn. Work-related anxieties from highly stressful jobs tend to dampen appetites. Poor quality diets high on 'comforting' beverages - alcoholic cocktails, sodas, beer and caffeinated drinks, like coffee and tea, can lead to heartburn. In addition, meals that tend to be spicy, creamy or otherwise rich may cause heartburn. Consumption of such foods should be done in moderation to avoid the pain and discomfort of heartburn. Acid reflux tends to be aggravated by the consumption of certain foods that have a high acidic content such as citruses and tomatoes. The effects of acid reflux and heartburn can be mitigated by making some sensible adjustments to one's diet.

Although Related, Acid Reflux and Heartburn May Not Always be Serious

Let's looks at how acid reflux and heartburn are related at the physiological level. Put simply, acid reflux happens when the acidic contents of the stomach goes back up into the esophagus. The stomach is designed to withstand the acids secreted to breakdown foods consumed as part of the digestive process. Most of the time, the acidic contents are supposed to stay in the stomach. Occasionally, some of the acidic content escape the stomach ride back up the esophagus and generates searing pain since the esophagus does not tolerate the acid. The searing pain is the result of the acid burning the sensitive esophagus. Many elderly people are prone to acid reflux and heartburn.

Acid reflux and heartburn might be a warning that something is wrong with the digestive system. Frequent trauma to the esophagus from the acidic burns may damage it. It would be advisable for the sufferer to seek medical attention as soon as possible to get to the root of the problem. This is especially pertinent if the condition occurs more than two times a week. A physician may be able to suggest suitable medications coupled with dietary adjustments to alleviate the suffering arising from acid reflux and heartburn.