Content

• Steps
• Advice
• Warning

Heartburn or heartburn is a common syndrome that causes an uncomfortable burning sensation in the chest and throat. In most cases, heartburn is temporary and usually goes away on its own. No treatment needs to be done except for a few steps to alleviate the discomfort it causes. That's why it's so important to know when and when your heartburn is common and when your doctor needs help. Read on to find out when to seek medical attention for heartburn.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Identify Your Symptoms

1. 

   Note the symptoms. The classic symptom of heartburn is a burning sensation in the throat and / or chest. However, you may also experience other symptoms such as frequent heartburn, nausea, or even vomiting. Identify and rewrite them. Keep a symptom log for a few weeks to identify patterns in your heartburn episodes.

2. 

   
   
   Compare the severity of your current condition with previous heartburn episodes. The severity of the pain can be a manifestation of something more worrying than heartburn itself. For example, a heart attack (heart attack) can feel similar to a very severe heartburn. If you're still not sure if your symptoms are enough to see your doctor, consider some of the questions below:
   • Is the pain dull or strong and sudden? If the dullness isn't obvious, it's more likely just heartburn. If it hurts, you may need to seek immediate medical attention.
   • Persistent pain or bouts? If the pain is painful, it is more likely to be heartburn. When the pain does not go away, you should seek medical attention immediately.
   • Does the pain stay in the same place or does it spread to other parts of the body, like the shoulders and lower jaw?
     • If breathing is difficult, dizzy, sweating and if pain spreads to shoulder, ear, back, neck or jaw, call 115 or go to the emergency room right away. Maybe you're under attack by a heart attack.

3. 

   
   
   See if one of the medications you're taking is the cause of your heartburn. Some drugs cause gastroesophageal reflux or heartburn. If heartburn is frequent and continuing and you suspect that one of the medications you are taking is the cause, talk to your doctor about an alternative medicine option. Do not stop taking the medicine before consulting your doctor. Some medications that can cause heartburn include:
   • Antidepressants
   • anti-anxiety medicine
   • antibiotics
   • medicine to treat high blood pressure
   • nitroglycerin
   • medications for osteoporosis
   • analgesic

4. 

   
   
   Keep track of the length and frequency of heartburn symptoms. Heartburn doesn't often go away on its own after a short while without the help of a doctor. However, if you suffer from heartburn a few times per week for more than two weeks, a medical examination is a must to eliminate any underlying causes and effectively treat it. Some medical conditions that may contribute to or worsen heartburn symptoms include:
   • Esophagitis: This can cause bleeding when coughing or vomiting and while having a bowel movement.
   • Esophageal ulcers: These are open wounds in the lining of the esophagus. Repeated acid reflux can lead to this, and they can be as painful as heartburn.
   • Esophageal stenosis: This condition makes it difficult to swallow food and you may experience difficulty breathing and wheezing. In this case, you may also experience chest tightness, sore throat, hoarseness, excessive salivation, a feeling of being stuck in your throat (a feeling of congestion), and sinusitis.
   • Barrett esophageal disorder: Prolonged heartburn has the potential to develop Barret's esophageal disorder. This is abnormal precancerous cells - they can develop into esophageal cancer. When found, you will need to check your esophagus for 2 to three years to make sure it doesn't turn into cancer.
   • Stomach Ulcers: These are painful open wounds or ulcers in the lining of the stomach or duodenum, the upper part of the small intestine.
   • Gastritis: This is inflammation of the stomach lining.
   • H. Pylori Infection: This is a stomach infection caused by the H. Pylori bacteria. This disease can be treated with antibiotics.
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Method 2 of 2: Know When to See a Doctor for Heartburn

1. 

   Call your doctor if heartburn is interfering with your daily life. For the most part, though bothersome, heartburn doesn't interfere with their everyday life. If that happens to you or heartburn occurs every day, check with your doctor.

2. 

   See your doctor if the same heartburn is a persistent cough. A persistent cough can be a sign of heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease. If your cough is 2 weeks or more, you should see your doctor. You may even be able to have an exam earlier, especially if you have difficulty breathing or wheezing.

3. 

   See your doctor if you have treated heartburn yourself with antacids for a long time. When taking over-the-counter heartburn medication every day for more than a few weeks, talk to your doctor as soon as possible. You may need stronger prescription medications and determine the reason why your condition doesn't get better.

4. 

   See if pregnancy could be the cause of your heartburn. The combination of hormones and stomach pressure may cause some women to experience heartburn. Heartburn during pregnancy is most common in the last trimester. If you are pregnant and experience severe heartburn, talk to your doctor. If you experience mild symptoms from time to time, there are some simple things that can help prevent heartburn:
   • Divide 5-6 small meals a day instead of 3 big meals.
   • Only lie down after eating for at least an hour.
   • Avoid spicy, fatty, and greasy foods.

5. 

   Keep track of if you have problems drinking or swallowing food. If swallowing is suddenly difficult or painful, it could be a sign that the esophagus is damaged (usually because stomach acid is flowing into the esophagus). If you have trouble swallowing, see a doctor immediately. Difficulty swallowing can lead to a choking risk.

6. 

   See if you are vomiting. Vomiting can also be a symptom of the need to see a doctor. If you are vomiting with heartburn symptoms, you may have gastric acid reflux. Even if you only vomit a small amount or burp something you have eaten, talk to your doctor about it.
   • See your doctor right away or go to the emergency room if vomiting is severe, vomiting blood, or chest pain after vomiting.

7. 

   See if there is any obvious and unexplained weight loss. Weight loss is perfectly fine with diet and exercise.However, there may be problems with unintended weight loss. Unexplained weight loss or decreased appetite associated with heartburn symptoms can be signs of GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). This disease requires medical treatment. If you have lost a lot of weight recently and at the same time, have symptoms of heartburn, you should see your doctor. advertisement

Advice

• Increase your calcium intake when taking long-term heartburn medications. These drugs reduce the amount of stomach acid and thus cause the body to absorb less calcium. Prioritize dairy products and take calcium supplements (if necessary) to overcome this side effect.
• Know what to ask your doctor to get a full awareness of heartburn.

Warning

• Long-term use of aluminum-containing antacids can weaken bones and deplete calcium and phosphorus levels in the body.
• When using sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) as an antacid, the high sodium content can adversely affect people with heart failure or high blood pressure.
• The maximum daily intake of calcium carbonate antacids should not exceed 2000 milligrams unless directed by your doctor.