By Angela Mutiso
Advances in Digestive Health Management
Imagine waking up in the middle of the night, gripping your chest as a burning sensation moves upwards from your stomach. This happens to many people living with chronic heartburn.
You become anxious about eating certain foods, especially if they have triggered heartburn before, and the stress of potential outbreaks can be overwhelming. The lack of sleep due to night-time heartburn adds to fatigue and irritability; It’s a relentless cycle that is quite unsettling.
Jesse, an energetic lawyer, found himself grappling with this persistent and debilitating issue. One night, after indulging in a hearty meal, he felt an intense burning sensation in his chest. It was heartburn that kept him awake for nearly three hours. The discomfort was so severe that it left him tossing and turning, unable to find relief. It wasn’t until he took some antacids that the burning subsided enough for him to get some sleep. The doctor later realized Jesse’s case needed more advanced treatment.
Almost everyone experiences heartburn at one time or another after eating. Heartburn, or acid indigestion, is a burning sensation in the chest, usually behind the breastbone, caused by stomach acid backing up into the oesophagus. It can be so uncomfortable that it disrupts sleep or daily activities. Symptoms include:
• Burning chest pain.
• Pressure in the neck and throat.
• An acid or bitter taste in the mouth.
According to Nurse Sr. Fidel Simiyu, a veteran practitioner in Kenya, heartburn is the most common symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Frequent or intense heartburn can indicate GERD. Despite its name, heartburn has nothing to do with the heart. The burning sensation originates from the oesophagus, which lacks the protective slimy lining of the stomach.
What Causes Heartburn?
Lifestyle factors like lying down soon after eating, smoking, or wearing tight clothes around the stomach can cause acid indigestion. Certain medications, obesity, and pregnancy can also increase the risk.
Most symptoms occur after meals or at night. They usually start with pain or pressure in the neck and throat. Common triggers include spicy, fatty, or fried foods, caffeine, alcohol, carbonated beverages, chocolate, citrus fruits, and overeating. Studies show that around 20 per cent of the population experiences heartburn weekly.
How to Avoid Heartburn
Avoid foods and drinks that trigger heartburn, eat smaller, more frequent meals, and avoid eating close to bedtime. Maintain a healthy weight, quit smoking, and elevate the head of your bed by 6 to 8 inches. Drink water, eat bananas, try ginger tea, and chew gum to reduce acidity.
Dietary Adjustments
Incorporate high-fiber options like whole grains, root vegetables, and green vegetables. As mentioned earlier, choose alkaline foods like melons, cauliflower, fennel, and nuts. Foods with high water content, like celery, cucumber, lettuce, watermelon, and broth-based soups, can help dilute stomach acid. Use apple cider vinegar or lemon juice with honey to neutralize stomach acid. These dietary changes allow you to manage acid reflux and enjoy meals comfortably.
Who is Susceptible?
People over 50 are more susceptible to heartburn. According to Dr Ekta Gupta, foods that trigger heartburn relax the oesophagal sphincter and slow digestion, leaving food in the stomach longer. High-fat, high-salt, spicy foods, fatty meats, and carbonated drinks are common culprits. Pregnant mothers also get it a lot. “Moderation is key,” Dr. Gupta advises. Eating small, frequent meals and avoiding late-night dinners can help manage acid reflux.
Emerging treatment
Sr. Simiyu says amid these challenges, there’s hope. Modern medicine and technology are paving the way for better heartburn management. With personalized medicine in our hospitals, the future looks brighter.
Research into the gut microbiome could unlock new therapies that balance your digestive system, reducing the frequency and severity of heartburn incidents. Additionally, artificial intelligence is used to predict flare-ups and refine treatment plans, ensuring you get the most effective care possible.
Emerging medications promise more effective relief with fewer side effects, while advancements in minimally invasive surgery offer safer options for severe cases. These new methods hold the potential to transform the way we treat heartburn. Hopefully, they will provide lasting relief and improve their quality of life.
How did the doctor deal with Jesse’s case?
Jesse, made the time to find out how modern technology could help him. He discovered that technology advancements have significantly transformed how heart burn and GERD are diagnosed and treated. Jesse, who struggled with chronic heartburn, found relief through modern medical inventions that have reformed this field.
He observed his doctor use high-resolution manometry, a cutting-edge diagnostic tool, to precisely measure the pressure within his oesophagus. This technology and 24-hour pH monitoring provided detailed insights into the frequency and severity of his acid reflux episodes. With this information, Jesse’s doctor could tailor a treatment plan specific to his condition, which would have been less precise years ago.
Jesse, who was now commendably up-to-date with what was ailing him, further explained theimaging techniques. Through procedures like endoscopy and oesophagal manometry, Jesse’s doctor could assess the lining of his oesophagus and identify any abnormalities early on. These techniques helped diagnose his condition accurately and played a crucial role in preventing potential complications.
Pharmaceutical development has brought forth a range of effective medications. Jesse found significant relief with the latest proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), which reduced his stomach acid production more effectively than older medications. These advancements in drugs meant fewer side effects and longer-lasting relief, allowing Jesse to enjoy his meals and sleep peacefully without the fear of heartburn disrupting his life.
These technological advancements have turned a debilitating condition into something manageable. Modern medicine is offering hope and improved quality of life for many who suffer from heartburn and GERD.
Remember that consulting a doctor is always the best way to go!
Health tips
Benefits of Pineapple
Pineapple is a tropical fruit with a vibrant color and distinctive texture that makes it instantly recognizable and visually appealing. It is known to have a lot of health benefits. For instance, its high vitamin C content helps boost your immune system, bromelain found in the fruit aids in digestion and can help reduce inflammation. Pineapples also support bone health due to their rich manganese content while the antioxidants in the fruit protect your body from free radicals.
Other benefits;
• Improves Skin Health
• Supports Weight Loss
• Enhances Eye Health
• Boosts Mood and Reduces Stress
• Promotes Heart Health
By incorporating pineapple into your diet, you can enjoy its pleasant taste while benefiting from its several nourishing advantages.
The writer is the Editorial Consultant of the Accountant Journal
