Beat heartburn and soothe your stomach

Does indigestion have you popping pills? Here are the right ones to take and some other options to try.

When you feel that burning sensation in your chest after overindulging, you probably run to the medicine cabinet. Heartburn (aka acid reflux, dyspepsia, or just plain indigestion) is common--about 20 percent of people suffer from it at least once a week; another 20 percent get it at least occasionally. There are plenty of pills that claim to beat the burn, but read this before you pop another one.

The burning sensation is caused by stomach acid backing up in your esophagus. Normally, strong involuntary contractions keep everything moving down into the stomach and a powerful muscle called the lower esophageal sphincter keeps it there. But if that sphincter isn’t closing properly, acids can flow backward, or reflux, and they can irritate, inflame, and even erode your esophageal lining. Attacks may come after meals or in the middle of the night. Over time, the irritation can affect the voice box and windpipe, leading to wheezing, coughing, hoarseness, or a chronic sore throat. Frequent bouts of heartburn could lead to a diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease. And eventually that can cause such illnesses as bronchitis, pneumonia, and even esophageal cancer.

So see a doctor if you have severe or frequent heartburn. For occasional bouts, see the six dos and don’ts of heartburn relief before reaching for any meds.

This article first appeared in the August/September 2008 issue of ShopSmart.