Digestive System:
The digestive system is
made up of the digestive tract - a series of
hollow organs joined in a long, twisting
tube from the mouth to the anus - and other
organs that help the body break down and
absorb food (see figure).
Organs that make up the digestive tract are
the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small
intestine, large intestine-also called the
colon- rectum, and anus.
Inside these hollow
organs is a lining called the mucosa.
In the
mouth, stomach, and small intestine, the
mucosa contains tiny glands that produce
juices to help digest food.
The digestive
tract also contains a layer of smooth muscle
that helps break down food and move it along
the tract.
Two “solid” digestive organs, the liver and
the
pancreas, produce digestive juices that
reach the intestine through small tubes
called ducts. The gallbladder stores the
liver’s digestive juices until they are
needed in the intestine. Parts of the
nervous and circulatory systems also play
major roles in the digestive system.
Heartburn Definition:
Heartburn or pyrosis is a
painful and burning sensation in the
esophagus, just below the breastbone usually
associated with regurgitation of gastric
acid.
The pain often rises in the chest
and may radiate to the neck, throat, or
angle of the jaw.
Heartburn is a major
symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease;
acid reflux is also identified as one of the
causes of chronic
cough, and may even mimic
asthma.
Despite its name, heartburn actually
has nothing to do with the heart; it is so
called because of a burning sensation near
to where the heart is located – although
some heart problems may give rise to a
similar burning sensation.Compounding the
confusion is the fact that hydrochloric acid
from the stomach comes back up the esophagus
because of a problem with the cardiac
sphincter, a valve which misleadingly
contains the word "cardiac," referring to
the cardia as part of the stomach and not,
as might be thought, to the heart.
Suggestions for easing Heartburn Pain
Today's hectic lifestyles may often
contribute to the occurrence of heartburn
and acid indigestion. However, sometimes
making the following simple changes in your
lifestyle habits is enough to help ease the
discomfort and occurrence of heartburn:
► Stick to small, regular meals and take your
time eating ► Avoid large, fatty meals and spicy or acidic
foods ► Limit alcohol consumption ► Note reactions to certain foods - for
example, some people may find that eating
chocolate or cucumber triggers their
heartburn ► Avoid lying down or stooping or straining to
lift objects soon after meals ► Quit or cut down on smoking ► If you are overweight, speak with your
doctor about starting an exercise program
► Raise the head of your bed by six
inches-this may help prevent the experience
of nighttime heartburn ► Drink a glass of water when heartburn occurs
to help dilute and remove refluxed acid from
the lower esophagus
The symptoms of heartburn are very common
and in most cases, over-the-counter
treatment and lifestyle changes are
sufficient for providing relief. However, if
the pain does not subside or if, despite
treatment with the maximum dose, symptoms
persist for more than two weeks, consult
your healthcare provider. If you are
experiencing any of the following symptoms,
you might have something other than acid
indigestion.
Please consult your doctor
immediately if you believe you have any of
these symptoms: ►Chest pain: Severe chest pain should never
be ignored. Sensations that suggest cardiac
(heart) pain include pain in the center or
upper chest, especially if it is brought on
by exercise, or radiates to the arms (mainly
the left arm) or jaw or is accompanied by
sweating or nausea. Chest pain due to reflux
of stomach acid is not usually this severe,
does not have a strong connection to
exercise and is usually rapidly relieved by
an antacid such as
Sedo-Mag.
►Difficulty in swallowing: The feeling or
symptom of food being stuck in the throat
that accompanies heartburn may suggest a
narrowing of the esophagus. Persistent
difficulty in swallowing has many causes and
requires urgent medical attention.
►Bleeding: Any bleeding, whether present in
regurgitated food or the stool, requires
urgent medical attention.
►Severe symptoms: Severe symptoms, or
symptoms accompanied by weight loss, loss of
appetite and general tiredness always need
to be investigated further by a healthcare
provider.
