Often Experiencing a Burning Sensation in the Chest? Beware of Possible Gastric Acid

Hello, Hermina friends! Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), also commonly known as stomach acid, is a condition in which stomach acid rises in the connecting tube between the esophagus and stomach. If this condition is not resolved quickly and continuously, it will make the sufferer feel uncomfortable, accompanied by inflammation and irritation of the esophagus.

 

There are several types of GERD trigger factors, for example, an unhealthy lifestyle and the health conditions of the sufferer. Unhealthy lifestyles such as smoking, eating a lot at night, consuming alcohol, consuming too much caffeine, and consuming illegal drugs can increase the risk of acid reflux and health complications. Health conditions also affect GERD triggers, for example, obesity and hernias.

 

Common symptoms in people with GERD are sour mouth and a burning sensation in the solar plexus and chest. Generally, the symptoms will get worse if the sufferer finishes eating and lies down. Apart from that, there are several symptoms that arise due to GERD that need to be watched out for:

• Sensation of a lump in the throat

The sensation of a lump in the throat occurs due to stomach acid rising up to the throat; this also causes hoarseness; the voice becomes hoarse when you wake up in the morning.

• Sleep disorders

Stomach acid that rises to the esophagus causes the sufferer to suffer from sleep disturbances because it causes an uncomfortable sensation in the sufferer and makes the chest feel heavy. These things will disrupt the sleeping hours of people with GERD.

• Chronic Cough

For people with GERD, it is highly recommended to position the pillow while sleeping so that the head position is higher than the chest. This is done as a preventive measure so that stomach acid does not rise up into the esophagus. Cough will be more frequent if the body position is lying down, especially with the body position between the head and chest parallel. Chronic cough is more common in sufferers when the sufferer has finished eating or at night.

 

There are several ways to deal with GERD, one of which is taking antacids, namely drugs to reduce stomach acid. Apart from taking drugs, changing lifestyles is an effective way to reduce the frequency of acid reflux in the body and prevent GERD from recurring. For people with GERD, you can change your lifestyle by following the following matters:

• Avoid/quit smoking
• Avoid consuming foods and drinks that cause acid reflux, such as alcohol, coffee, and spicy foods.
• Avoid sleeping or lying down after eating for up to 2–3 hours.
• Wear clothes that are not too tight to prevent stomach distress.
• Try to elevate the pillow while sleeping so that the head is higher than the chest.

 

Recognizing the symptoms of GERD and taking preventive measures early on is important to prevent more severe complications from occurring. If GERD symptoms