Heartburn is a sensation of burning in the chest or throat, often experienced after eating. This feeling arises when stomach acid flows backward into the esophagus, the tube connecting your mouth to your stomach. Experiencing heartburn can be uncomfortable, and it is a common symptom that can become more noticeable or frequent when a person is feeling unwell due to an illness. Occasional acid reflux is common, but frequent occurrences can indicate a more persistent issue.
Understanding Why Illness Causes Heartburn
Illnesses can increase heartburn through physiological and behavioral changes. Increased abdominal pressure, a common consequence of illness, contributes. Activities like persistent coughing, forceful sneezing, or vomiting can exert pressure on the abdomen, pushing stomach contents and acid back into the esophagus.
Certain medications taken during illness can also trigger or worsen heartburn. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, can irritate the stomach lining and weaken the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the muscle preventing acid reflux. This weakening allows stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus, causing burning.
Lifestyle adjustments made when feeling unwell contribute to heartburn. People often spend more time lying down, which reduces gravity’s effect on stomach acid. Changes in diet, such as consuming more acidic or fatty comfort foods, or eating less frequent but larger meals, exacerbate symptoms.
Relieving Heartburn When Unwell
Managing heartburn when sick involves dietary modifications and over-the-counter remedies. Avoiding trigger foods can provide relief. These often include spicy dishes, fatty foods, acidic items like citrus fruits and tomatoes, caffeine, and alcohol, which irritate the esophagus or relax the LES. Opting for bland, easy-to-digest foods such as oatmeal, bananas, or lean proteins are beneficial.
Over-the-counter (OTC) medications address heartburn. Antacids, like Tums or Rolaids, work by neutralizing stomach acid for quick, temporary relief. H2 blockers, such as famotidine (Pepcid AC), reduce acid production for longer relief, typically within 15 to 30 minutes. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), including omeprazole (Prilosec OTC), block acid production at its source; they are intended for frequent heartburn and may take one to four days for full effect.
Simple lifestyle adjustments alleviate heartburn during illness. Elevating the head of your bed by six to eight inches, using bed risers or a wedge pillow, uses gravity to keep stomach acid down during sleep. Eating smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day instead of large ones reduces pressure on the stomach. Remaining upright for at least two to three hours after eating helps prevent reflux.
Seek medical attention if heartburn is severe, persistent, or accompanied by other concerning issues. If symptoms do not improve after two weeks of OTC medications, or if you experience difficulty swallowing, unexplained weight loss, or chest pain radiating to your arms, jaw, or neck, with shortness of breath or sweating, consult a healthcare professional immediately. These symptoms could indicate a more serious condition.