Sudden severe chest pain is the most common symptom of a heart attack – if you also have shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea, sweating and the pain spreads to your shoulder, arms, neck or jaw, get medical help immediately, says the Heart and Stroke Foundation of South Africa.
But, if the pain remains in the middle of your chest behind your breast bone, and occurs after you’ve eaten, worsens if you lie down or bend over, and you have a sour, bitter or acidic taste in your mouth, relax – you have heartburn.
What causes heartburn?
This is caused when the stomach acid that breaks down your food escapes up past the ring-like sphincter muscle separating your stomach from your oesophagus, the tube that carries food from your throat to the stomach. The acid flows back up into your oesophagus in what is called acid reflux, causing that burning sensation.
Who is likely to suffer from heartburn?
Anyone can develop heartburn, but you’re more prone if you are overweight, eat big meals, and wear clothing that is tight around your stomach. In fact, a small study published in the journal Gut suggested that often wearing tight waist belts, especially if you also have a big waist, may lead to a change in the cells where your stomach joins your oesophagus, causing reflux.
Occasional heartburn, though unpleasant, is unlikely to be serious for your health. But, if it’s severe, persists, or you have it more than twice a week, see your healthcare provider – you may have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Untreated, this can cause inflammation, ulcers and scarring, changing the cells in your oesophagus lining and raising your risk for oesophageal cancer.
What can you do to manage mild heartburn?
Don’t go to sleep on a full stomach
Aim to finish dinner three or four hours before you turn in and avoid late-night snacking. If you can’t eat earlier, choose lighter meals such as salads, soups, fruit salad or a sandwich, suggests Cape Town dietitian Karen Protheroe. To stop yourself overeating at night, Durban dietitian Priya Lalla advises keeping fruit handy, and snacking on it to keep hunger under control. Eat slowly, don’t wolf it down.
Avoid food triggers
Certain foods can add to the acidity in your stomach or relax the lower oesophageal sphincter. Harvard University research suggests avoiding fatty or spicy foods, tomatoes (including tomato sauce), garlic, milk, coffee, tea, cola, peppermint and chocolate. The Mayo Clinic also suggests avoiding citrus, onions and alcohol.
Don’t lie flat
Use a wedge-shaped cushion to raise your upper body, or prop the legs of the top end of your bed on bricks to lift it by about 15cm, so gravity can help keep stomach acid from flowing up into the oesophagus. Don’t prop up your head and shoulders with ordinary pillows – you will tend to curl at the waist, putting more pressure on your stomach.
Don’t exercise straight after a meal
Give your stomach several hours to empty. Sit and chat, read, or watch something on TV. At most, take a gentle stroll.
Chew sugarless gum after you eat
According to Harvard Health, this promotes salivation, which can help neutralise acid and wash it back down to the stomach. Just be sure to avoid peppermint-flavoured gum.
Manage your weight
Carrying extra weight adds to the pressure on your stomach, pushing its contents into the oesophagus.
Try antacids for quick relief
They neutralise stomach acid, but use them only as directed – overdoing them can have serious side-effects. Ask your health professional or pharmacist about over-the-counter H2 blockers that lower stomach acid production if taken about half an hour before meals. Stronger versions are available on prescription, and for stubborn heartburn, there are proton pump inhibitors that block stomach acid production. Your health professional will advise which may be best for you.
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Also read: Gastroenteritis: How to prevent and treat a stomach bug
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