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When did you encounter your first bout with heartburn? Possibly a better question is when did heartburn become a recurring problem? More importantly, have you considered why heartburn has become a growing problem in your life and why it should be taken seriously. In the early stages heartburn is easily remedied. Just reach for an antacid and you are good to go. But then the problem escalates and you turn to the super-sized bottle of “maximum strength” antacid tablets. Sure enough these hard sugary pills in multiple flavors proved fast relief if only temporary. Then you realize that you need something else and go for another over-the-counter product that offers 12 and 24 hour relief. You still keep a super-sized bottle of antacids on hand for those panic moments when you just have to have something in a hurry. For months and even years you plod along popping antacids and over-the-counter remedies that you have your heartburn problem under control. But all the while something is going on inside your body that will ultimately need medical attention. In time acid reflux becomes a menacing problem and heartburn pain grows in intensity leading to sleepless nights and extreme discomfort. As a last resort you visit your doctor who hands you a list of foods to avoid, tells you to lose weight, and hands you a prescription for a purple wonder pill. And, once again you think, “I’ve got this heartburn thing under control.” Eventually you experience a choking sensation, like somebody has their hand on your throat. You notice that sometimes your breathing is accompanied by wheezing. As the problem intensifies you begin to worry about what’s going on inside your body. Could this be something really serious? Could it be…cancer? The answer to the last 2 questions is “yes.” It could be serious and it could be cancer. While you were popping pills, both over-the-counter and prescribed, you heartburn problem was not so much under control as you thought. Through the years your body has taken a beating. The lining to your stomach and esophagus has eroded. There is scar tissue in your esophagus and throat and very possibly you have developed a hiatal hernia. A hiatal hernia is a condition in which a portion of the stomach protrudes upward into the chest, through an opening in the diaphragm. By this stage you may have developed Barrett’s esophagus, a disorder in which the lining of the esophagus is damaged by stomach acid. Occasionally Barrett’s esophagus leads to cancer. All along you thought that you were keeping the problem under control by taking meds. But you neglected to do the one thing necessary to keep heartburn from escalating into something so problematic. You didn’t correct your diet and lose weight. All the pill popping in the world won’t help if don’t stop the abusive habits that prompted heartburn in the first place. So, that is why heartburn should be taken seriously. I know this to be true because the scenario listed above is exactly what happened to me. My experience was not the exception to the rule. It is precisely what happens when we live “with” heartburn rather than doing more than just medication to fix it. Don't be lulled into a false sense of security. Lose weight and avoid foods and beverages that aggravate heartburn including: fried and fatty foods, spicy and acidic foods, chocolate, caffeine, and peppermint. Avoid alcohol and tobacco and take all medications with plenty of water. Sleep with your head elevated and avoid lying down after meals. Do something about heartburn now while you can. If you are experiencing anything like I have shared in this article then make an appointment with your doctor immediately. Heartburn should be taken seriously. Richard Weirich co-hosts the internationally popular Health at Last Radio and has written numerous publications on heartburn, acid reflux, weight loss, health, and wellness. For more articles on controlling heartburn click here and you can also visit the author's website here.
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