Milestone Assignment – Lesson 6
Heartburn
Heartburn is a burning feeling in the lower chest, and causes a sour or bitter taste in your throat or mouth. Heartburn, despite its name, does not affect the heart. Usually, it occurs after you have eaten a big meal or while lying down. Heartburn is caused when the opening between the esophagus and stomach does not close all the way. This causes the acid from your stomach to get through to the opening and into your esophagus, called reflux. The stomach acids can cause your esophagus to irritate, which causes heartburn. Another cause may be from hiatal, which is a where part of the stomach pushes up your diaphragm, and into your chest. Smoking, coffee, alcohol, citrus fruits, and tomato products are only some of the things that can make heartburn worse.
Some things that would help prevent heartburn are to eat two to three hours before lying, prevent smoking, don’t overeat, lose weight if overweight, and avoid tight clothing and belts. Sometimes lifestyle changes and antacids do not work to help your heartburn symptoms. If that is the case, then go to your doctor and he or she may want to give you prescription medications. Some medicines that you do not need a prescription include antacids and H2 blockers. Antacids neutralize the acid in your stomach, but if you take too much, it can cause diarrhea or constipation. H2 blockers (like Pepcid and Tagamet) also reduce the amount of acid that your stomach creates, but some are with a prescription.
I.B.S. Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (I.B.S.) is a digestive disorder that mainly include cramping, discomfort, bloating, and a change in bowl habit, but it varies between person to person. I.B.S. can range from constipation to diarrhea, or can