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Dangers Of Constant Heartburn
By M. A. Fulmar

Frequent heartburn is heartburn experienced two to three times a week. Constant heartburn is a problem that is always around. You are probably experiencing many other symptoms of constant heartburn as well. It is a dangerous problem that has a small possibility of turning into esophagus cancer. If the pain is always around, then you have inflamed or damaged your esophagus. A trip to the doctor is in order.

Other Symptoms Of Constant Heartburn

There are many ways constant heartburn upsets your life as well as your digestive tract. You are probably experiencing a host of other problems. When your stomach acid refluxes in to your esophagus, the acid irritates the lining which causes the burning from mid-chest up to your throat. Constant irritation causes inflammation. Inflammation may cause difficulty swallowing, coughing or wheezing like asthma, or hoarseness and sore throat. The inflammation makes your esophagus smaller making these symptoms more likely. Over time the inflammation can erode the lining causing bleeding or ulcers.

Another symptom of constant heartburn is regurgitation of food or stomach fluids. This can happen anytime you get too much food or acid in your stomach. A more common symptom is the stomach acid or bile coming up to the back of your throat leaving you with a sour taste in your mouth. This causes more damage to your esophagus. The food and digestive juices only irritate your throat more.

Things To Avoid With Constant Heartburn

Everyone knows the list of foods to avoid, but what about over the counter pain killers? There is a common type of over the counter pain killer called NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like aspirin, Advil, or Motrin. These will irritate the stomach and cause more acid to be produced. Switch your pain killers to non NSAIDs. Birth Control pills have the same effect as NSAIDs. Switch to a non pill form of birth control or one you do not have to take everyday. Some forms of high blood pressure medication can also irritate your stomach. Mention this to your doctor, he may switch you to a different medicine that has a less irritating effect.

Things To Do With Constant Heartburn

Eating smaller meals more frequently will keep your stomach from getting distended and putting pressure on the stomach. This will help with regurgitation or the digestive juices coming back up your throat. It also gives the stomach something to use the acid on rather than on the stomach or esophagus.

Chew your meal thoroughly. A simple suggestion, but digestion starts in the mouth. A well chewed meal will exit the stomach quicker therefore producing less acid during the time the food is in the stomach. Less time in the stomach means less acid build up.

A Dangerous Possibility

Constant heartburn can lead to Barrett's Esophagus. Only a minority of the people get Barrett's Esophagus, a condition where the esophagus lining cells change because of extended exposure to stomach acid. A small amount of people develop esophagus cancer from Barrett's Esophagus. A preventable problem!

Constant heartburn is a symptom of damage to your esophagus. This needs to be treated by a doctor before it turns into a more damaging problem. Changing some eating habits or changing some drugs is a small annoyance versus a possible outcome.

Author Details:
M. A. Fulmar, copywriter for various websites including, Acid Reflux and The A to Z of.

Article Source: Top Health Articles

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See also: Acid Reflux