Frequently Asked Questions

What is heartburn?

Heartburn is an uncomfortable feeling of burning or warmth in the chest.

What causes heartburn?

Heartburn has nothing to do with the heart. Instead, heartburn is caused by too much stomach acid. Heartburn is sometimes called acid indigestion.

What is stomach acid?

Stomach acid is strong acid produced by the stomach to help digest the foods we eat. Normally the acid stays in the stomach. When the acid backs up into the esophagus, it burns and causes the uncomfortable sensation known as heartburn.

What is the esophagus?

The esophagus is the muscular tube that stretches between the mouth and the stomach. All the foods you eat and the liquids you drink go down the esophagus into the stomach.

Why doesn't the acid burn my stomach?

The stomach has a special lining to protect it from the acid. The esophagus doesn't have this protection.

Why does the acid back up into the esophagus?

A muscle called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) at the bottom of the esophagus normally prevents foods and acid from backing up. This muscle acts like a tight drawstring to close off the opening between the esophagus and stomach when you are not eating.

Heartburn happens when the lower esophageal sphincter does not close all the way.

What Surgical Treatment is Available?

When symptoms are severe, or there are complications and medical treatment does not help, your doctor may recommend surgery to correct a hiatus hernia and prevent heartburn (reflux). This surgical procedure, called fundoplication, involves replacing the stomach back to its original position under the diaphragm. The surgeon then wraps and stitches the upper few centimetres of the stomach around the oesophagus (gullet) to prevent heartburn (reflux) recurring. This operation can be carried out either by traditional open surgery or by keyhole (laparoscopic) surgery.

Will Antacids Take Care of Heartburn?

Antacids neutralize the acid that your stomach makes. For most people, antacids that you can get without a prescription (over-the-counter) give fast, short-term relief.

However, antacids can cause diarrhea or constipation. Look for antacids that contain both magnesium hydroxide and aluminum hydroxide. (One causes constipation while the other causes diarrhea so they counteract each other.) Some brands of antacids include Maalox, Mylanta and Riopan. Follow the directions on the package

What should I do if my heartburn gets worse?

If your condition does not respond to over-the-counter treatments after two weeks, see a doctor. You may be at risk for serious inflammation of the esophagus. Also, if you have difficulty swallowing, you may have an underlying condition that requires the attention of a health care professional. Do not continue to self-medicate.

What kinds of heartburn treatment are available?

Antacids work directly in the stomach, neutralizing the gastric acid, but they cannot prevent additional acid from being produced. However, over-the-counter histamine 2 receptor blockers (H2 blockers), such as Tagamet HB 200®, work for eight hours or more. And you can take H2 blockers, unlike antacids, before or after a meal to prevent or treat heartburn. Actually, Tagamet HB 200® has one additional advantage over the competition -- it's the only leading brand name H2 blocker you can take right before a meal to prevent heartburn before it starts.

How can I tell the difference between heartburn and a heart attack?

What a relief: Up to half of all people rushed to the hospital with chest pain (but no history of heart disease) find out that they actually have a bad case of heartburn. It is not always easy to distinguish between the two conditions and if you are in doubt seek immediate medical attention. Sufferers distinguish between the two conditions, but if you're in doubt, get to the hospital pronto. Pain: Heartburn produces a burning sensation in the chest and a feeling of fluid coming up, while a heart attack feels more like intense chest pressure that can radiate to the neck, jaw or arms. Timing: Heartburn often strikes after a person has eaten a large meal or a trigger food, while heart attacks are more likely to happen after exercise, a stressful situation or sex. Other symptoms: Heartburn may be accompanied by indigestion and gas, while a heart attack is sometimes accompanied by shortness of breath and nausea.

Why is heartburn sometimes called acid indigestion?

The burning sensation of heartburn is caused when the acids from your stomach travel up to your esophagus. The acids in your stomach are quite normal. In fact, that's what helps to digest your food. And your stomach has a protective lining that can shield against these acids. However, your esophagus does not have this lining and is very sensitive to gastric acid. Fortunately the symptoms of heartburn/acid indigestion can be treated with over-the-counter medications like Tagament HB 200®.