7-4-06

Heartburn

Even moderate weight gain can cause or increase symptoms of gastroesophageal (gas-tro’-e-sof-a-geal) reflux disease in normal-weight and overweight women. This was the result of a study reported by the New England Journal of Medicine. Dr. Jatindar (Jah-tin’-der) Ahluwalia (Ah’-lou-wal-e-ah), assistant professor of gastroenterology (gas-tro’-en-ter-olo-gee) at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield, explains the symptoms of the disease, also known as heartburn.

SOUND BITE: ". . . heartburn is something people experience in a variety of different ways. Usually it is a burning chest pain located behind the breast bone and often there is a sensation of food coming up into the mouth accompanied by an acid or bitter taste."

Dr. Ahluwalia says about 10 percent of Americans suffer from heartburn on a daily basis and up to 30 percent experience it at least once a week. There is a significant increase of the disease in people over the age of 40, and it is very common in pregnant women. To lessen the symptoms of heartburn, it may be helpful to decrease the size of meals and eliminate spicy and greasy foods from the diet.

SOUND BITE: "Other things would include stopping tobacco use as it affects the sphincter that is found at the junction of the food pipe as well as the stomach, as well as mint-containing products. And if the heartburn happens to occur later in the day or especially at night, people have found that elevation of the head of the bed is also useful in decreasing those symptoms."

Individuals who have experienced heartburn symptoms for a long time should be checked by their family physician for possible treatment and to rule out other possible health conditions. They may be referred to a gastroenterologist (gas-tro’-en-ter-olo-gist) for further treatment.

This is Ruth Slottag at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield.