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Susquehanna Gastroenterology
Assoc, LTD
10 Choate Circle
Montoursville, PA 17754
Phone:
(570) 368-5566
Fax:
(570) 368-5564
Email:
administrator@sgimd.com
Q. What is heartburn?
Heartburn is very common. This occurs when stomach acid flows upward (regurgitates) into the esophagus.
The esophagus is the tube that carries food to the stomach. People usually feel heartburn as a burning sensation or pain behind the breastbone.
Often, regurgitation of bitter-tasting stomach acid accompanies heartburn. An antacid or milk temporarily relieves heartburn for most people.
Q. Why does heartburn occur?
To understand heartburn, let’s look at the body’s anatomy. The esophagus carries food and liquid to the stomach. A sphincter
(specialized muscle) is located at the end of the esophagus. It is known as the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The LES muscle should only open when food
or liquid is passed into the stomach. However, the LES muscle does not always work perfectly. Sometimes it is too weak to stay completely closed,
and stomach juices seep back into the esophagus. This is known as reflux. There are certain factors that contribute to reflux.
The most common is eating a large meal. Along with swallowing air, a large meal causes pressure in the stomach to rise, and overpowers the LES muscle.
The following are other factors that reduce the LES pressure and allow reflux:
Nicotine (any tobacco products), fried or fatty foods, caffeine (coffee, tea, colas, chocolate), citrus fruits and juices,
peppermint and spearmint, alcohol, pregnancy, lying flat, hiatal hernia, and certain prescriptions medicines.
Q. Is heartburn serious?
Heartburn and reflux are extremely common, with 10 percent of the population experiencing them daily.
Twenty-five percent of pregnant women have heartburn. Even though heartburn is common, it is rarely life threatening.
Severe cases, however, can result in injury to the lower esophagus that requires treatment.
Q. What is a Hiatal Hernia?
The diaphragm is a flat horizontal muscle that separates the lungs from the stomach and the rest of the digestive tract.
The esophagus passes through an opening in the diaphragm. If the opening enlarges, a portion of the stomach can protrude (herniate)
through into the chest. This is called a hiatal hernia. A persistent hiatal hernia may produce significant heartburn.
However, many people who experience heartburn do not have to have a hiatal hernia.
Q. What are hemorrhoids?
Hemorrhoids also are known as "piles." As a rule, they do not cause pain or bleeding. Problems can occur, however,
when these veins become swollen because pressure is raised in them. Increased pressure may result from straining to move your bowels,
from sitting too long on the toilet, or from other factors such as pregnancy, obesity or liver disease.
Q. Are hemorrhoids common?
Hemorrhoidal problems are very common in both men and women. Bleeding can occur from hemorrhoids sometimes, but most often the bleeding is not serious. Women may begin to have problems during pregnancy.
The pressure of the fetus in the abdomen, as well as hormonal changes, causes hemorrhoidal veins to enlarge. These veins are also placed under
severe pressure during the birth of the baby. Such hemorrhoids are a temporary problem.