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At 2 a.m. I woke up in the middle of a coughing fit and had terrible, burning pain in the left side of my chest. I was breathing quickly and my heart was pounding. Suddenly a thought came to my mind: I'm having a heart attack!
Details from my previous three and a half years of medical school flooded my mind. But the pieces didn't quite fit. Fortunately, the real culprit was not a clogged artery; it was the super spicy chimichanga I ate 30 minutes before going to bed. What I was experiencing was heartburn.
Heartburn, known in the medical world as gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD), is a common health problem. In fact, it is estimated that about 40 percent of people in the United States experience GERD to some degree. Most people recognize heartburn as a cough in the middle of the night, a frequent choking or "hairball" feeling in your throat, or a burning pain in your chest or upper abdomen that is made worse by eating spicy foods. What you may not recognize, however, is that GERD can also lead to symptoms of chronic hoarseness, sour morning breath, frequent hiccups, worsening asthma and even ear pain.
I have been in Fallon for the last several weeks as part of a surgery rotation. On any given day in the doctor's clinic, I am amazed to find how many patients experience heart burn, an observation that prompted me to write this article. Unfortunately, many people either do not recognize their symptoms or have been unable to control them and end up seeking professional medical care. Because this can be costly, there are some simple things you can try to alleviate your symptoms and reduce that monthly doctor's bill.
First, pay attention to your diet. A diet low in fat, chocolates, coffee and alcohol can help reduce your symptoms of reflux significantly. Also, try not to eat within three hours of bedtime. This allows the stomach to empty and the acid in your stomach to settle before you lie down.
Second, on nights when your heartburn is particularly bad, try to sleep at an incline. Raise the head of your bed by adding a few extra pillows and try sleeping on your side. This allows gravity to work for you and keep acid where it belongs - the stomach.
Third, if you are overweight, try losing a few pounds. The extra weight can increase pressure on your stomach, forcing those gastric juices up into your esophagus.
Fourth, if you are a smoker, stop smoking. Besides the damage it causes to your lungs, smoking affects the tube leading to your stomach, making you more prone to GERD.
Finally, try some over-the-counter medications. Most people start with antacids like Tums or Rolaids, but for those who frequently experience heartburn, these are not strong enough. Instead, try a medication that blocks either the secretion or production of the acid, such as Xantac or over-the-counter Prilosec. They have relatively few side effects and begin to work within a few days.
David Ludlow is a fourth-year medical student at the University of Nevada School of Medicine.
Details from my previous three and a half years of medical school flooded my mind. But the pieces didn't quite fit. Fortunately, the real culprit was not a clogged artery; it was the super spicy chimichanga I ate 30 minutes before going to bed. What I was experiencing was heartburn.
Heartburn, known in the medical world as gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD), is a common health problem. In fact, it is estimated that about 40 percent of people in the United States experience GERD to some degree. Most people recognize heartburn as a cough in the middle of the night, a frequent choking or "hairball" feeling in your throat, or a burning pain in your chest or upper abdomen that is made worse by eating spicy foods. What you may not recognize, however, is that GERD can also lead to symptoms of chronic hoarseness, sour morning breath, frequent hiccups, worsening asthma and even ear pain.
I have been in Fallon for the last several weeks as part of a surgery rotation. On any given day in the doctor's clinic, I am amazed to find how many patients experience heart burn, an observation that prompted me to write this article. Unfortunately, many people either do not recognize their symptoms or have been unable to control them and end up seeking professional medical care. Because this can be costly, there are some simple things you can try to alleviate your symptoms and reduce that monthly doctor's bill.
First, pay attention to your diet. A diet low in fat, chocolates, coffee and alcohol can help reduce your symptoms of reflux significantly. Also, try not to eat within three hours of bedtime. This allows the stomach to empty and the acid in your stomach to settle before you lie down.
Second, on nights when your heartburn is particularly bad, try to sleep at an incline. Raise the head of your bed by adding a few extra pillows and try sleeping on your side. This allows gravity to work for you and keep acid where it belongs - the stomach.
Third, if you are overweight, try losing a few pounds. The extra weight can increase pressure on your stomach, forcing those gastric juices up into your esophagus.
Fourth, if you are a smoker, stop smoking. Besides the damage it causes to your lungs, smoking affects the tube leading to your stomach, making you more prone to GERD.
Finally, try some over-the-counter medications. Most people start with antacids like Tums or Rolaids, but for those who frequently experience heartburn, these are not strong enough. Instead, try a medication that blocks either the secretion or production of the acid, such as Xantac or over-the-counter Prilosec. They have relatively few side effects and begin to work within a few days.
David Ludlow is a fourth-year medical student at the University of Nevada School of Medicine.
