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WHAT
IS HEARTBURN / INDIGESTION?
Pain
in the throat and esophagus often with a sour taste in the
mouth occurring after eating, medically, it is known as GERD
(gastro- esophageal reflux disease).
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WHAT
ARE THE CAUSES OF HEARTBURN / INDIGESTION?
Acid
from the stomach escapes via a weakened valve near the top
of the stomach and goes backward up into the esophagus and
throat irritating this sensitive area.
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HOW IS HEARTBURN / INDIGESTION
DIAGNOSED AND TREATED?
The diagnoses is made
based on the history of symptoms and special tests including
barium swallow, esophageal endoscopy (inserting a video
probe to look at the esophagus/stomach), pH monitoring and
muscle tone monitoring.
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MYTH VS. TRUTH
"Chest
pain is always due to heart problems."
Actually, chest pain can
be due to HEARTBURN / INDIGESTION. A heart attack should always
be ruled out by a physician before assuming that the pain
is related to heartburn.
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