Despite the name - Heartburn, it has nothing to do with the heart! Heartburn in senior citizens is a frequent thing owing to poor lifestyle habits. Heartburn symptoms for seniors are similar to those that of a heart attack, yet heartburns are caused due to an irritation of the esophagus, which is a tube connecting your throat and stomach. Stomach acids are the main factor causing heartburn in seniors. Read on to know more about heartburn symptoms, risk factors, complications and treatments especially for seniors.
The medical term of Heartburn or acid reflux is GERD - Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. This GRED occurs when stomach acids touch the esophagus. This irritates the esophagus which is the tube connecting mouth and stomach causing heartburn. Most seniors experience acid reflux from time to time. The discomfort caused due to GERD can be easily managed through lifestyle changes and medications.
It’s common for adults in their 40s to 60s to have occasional heartburns. But, as you become a senior and get advanced in years, a heartburn can become more frequent. The reason for heartburn or GERD varies from senior to senior. Listed below are some of the most common triggers,
Smoking
Too much wine
Late-night heavy meal
Fatty or fried foods
Night coffee or alcohol
Certain medications, such as aspirin
Symptoms of Heartburn
The symptoms of heartburn and the symptoms of heart attack are widely similar in many aspects. The common symptoms of heartburn in seniors are
A burning sensation in your chest ( a.k.a Heartburn )
Difficulty swallowing foods
Vomiting of food
A feeling of a lump in your throat
Chest pain
Disrupted sleep cycles
Extreme care should be taken and seek medical attention, if you have severe chest pain, along with shortness of breath and arm pain combined. These might be symptoms and signs of a heart attack. Also, it is highly recommended to visit a doctor if the GERD is frequent and severe and over-the-counter medications for heartburn do not work
Almost 20% of seniors have mild heartburn once a month and they are not dangerous and get cured overnight. But repeated GERD without proper medical care can lead to serious problems such as,
Damaging and narrowing of the esophagus due to stomach acids causing scars to form in tissues. The smaller the pathway of food and lead to difficulty swallowing.
Sore in the food pipe. Acids in stomach can wear away tissues in the esophagus leading to complications in food intake
Increased risk of esophageal cancer
In seniors, there are four major factors which worsen heartburn as they age.
Aging muscles
Esophageal sphincter controls the opening between the esophagus and the stomach which is critical in naturally preventing heartburns. Muscles weaken as you age causing the lower esophageal sphincter to be worn out and stop functioning properly.
Obesity
Many seniors who are obese face higher chances of getting heartburns. The severity of GERD is also higher for obese seniors and the reason for which has not been clear.
Medications
It is no doubt that seniors intake most medications then compared to other generations. Some types of antidepressant and blood pressure medications can cause heartburn.
Slower digestive system
The digestive system takes longer time to digest the food as you grow older. This also depends on the type of diet and food which you intake.
Cure for Heartburn for seniors
Before looking for the cure, it is a good rule of thumb to seek medical attention if you are starting to have more than two heartburns a week. If you are looking for a home visit doctor, you can book an appointment on 60plusindia and get the required medical treatment at the comfort of your home.
Stand up straight
Bedridden seniors have higher chances of heartburn. If you are lying down, try standing up for sometime. If you are bed ridden, adjust your bed to a sitting position to reduce pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter.
Baking soda with water.
Baking soda can temporarily neutralize stomach acid. Use a spoon of baking soda in a tall glass of water. You can also add honey or sugar for taste. Do not overuse it. This provides a quick recovery and can aid in digestion of food
Chewing gum
It is actually found that chewing gum helps in reducing the risk of heartburn. Chewing a gum after a meal for 10-15mins decreases acid reflux in the throat by inducing saliva production.
Warm ginger
Ginger has been used as a remedy for heartburn for centuries . Ginger eliminates nausea and acid reflux. Ginger also aids in digestion for seniors.
Over-the-counter remedies
Many OTC heartburn medications are available in pharmacies. Some of them are H2 blockers, Proton Pump Inhibitors, Antacids, etc. They are effective for reducing the complication risks and giving immediate cure to heartburn.
At 60PlusIndia, we offer various eldercare services to take the best care of seniors. From a home doctor visit to online doctor consultation, we have many services that provide comfort and ease to their lifestyle.
Author : Team 60Plus India
Keywords : Heartburn in seniors, Overview of heartburn, Triggers of heartburn in seniors, Symptoms of heartburn in seniors, Complications of heartburn, Cure for heartburn in seniors, GERD, Acid reflux.
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