A Europe-wide awareness-raising campaign by the ESGE

Heartburn has become a widespread complaint in the affluent society of the industrialised nations. In Germany almost one in ten people suffers from heartburn every day, while one in seven complains of these symptoms at least once a week. Many sufferers attach little significance to the unpleasant but supposedly harmless symptoms. In this, however, they are mistaken, as stressed by the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) in its latest statement. The constant acid attacks lead to the oesophagus becoming inflamed and, in the long-term, may result in ulcers or even cancer of the oesophagus. For this reason the ESGE has mounted a major awareness-raising campaign in order to inform people about the dangers of heartburn.

Munich, 22 August 2000 - At a recent multi-media endoscopy training event in Hamburg, gastroenterologist Professor Friedrich Hagenmüller, President of the ESGE, drew attention to the dangers of underestimating the complaint. Heartburn is caused when the stomach's acidic contents flow back into the oesophagus. These acid attacks lead to the mucous membrane becoming inflamed; experts refer to this as "reflux oesophagitis". If it remains untreated, ulcers can develop in the oesophagus and in the long-term they may "degenerate", i.e. they can lead to cancer. Gastric acid, which may even rise as far as the larynx, can enter the respiratory system, causing coughing, hoarseness and difficulty in breathing. This link is often not recognised.

What causes heartburn?

Even before you eat the body produces gastric juices. Just thinking about a tasty meal, and certainly the sight of one, is enough to stimulate the digestive organs. Anyone who now eats the wrong sort of meal - consuming excessive amounts containing too much fat too quickly - will experience stomach problems. Stress, tobacco, alcohol and the excessive consumption of sugary foods can also irritate the stomach.

After a substantial meal or too much alcohol, the sphincter between the stomach and the oesophagus ceases to function properly. The result of this is that some of the stomach's acidic content flows back into the oesophagus, often causing painful heartburn. Lying down or bending over, in particular, can mean that gastric acid enters the oesophagus and rises as high as the pharynx.

Heartburn must be treated

Nowadays heartburn can easily be treated so anyone who regularly suffers from heartburn should go to see their doctor. In mild cases drugs which absorb excess gastric acid will help. In more serious cases medication is prescribed which actually hinders the production of gastric acid.

According to Hagenmüller, the most important thing for patients with recurring heartburn is that they undergo periodic endoscopic examination in order to ensure the diagnosis is correct and to minimise the risk of a cancer developing.

...and here is what you can do...

• lose weight, if you need to
• restrict your consumption of alcohol, cigarettes and coffee
• ensure you do sufficient exercise and muscle toning
• remove restrictive clothes from your wardrobe, especially trousers and skirts with tight waistbands, as well as belts and girdles
• eat small, low-fat meals and be sure to drink a lot at mealtimes, but avoid carbonated drinks
• eat slowly and chew your food well
• do not lie down after eating
• do not eat anything for three hours before going to bed
• make sure the head of the bed is higher than the foot

Following these simple guidelines allows heartburn to be combated effectively.

Prof. Friedrich Hagenmüller
Allgemeines Krankenhaus Altona
Hamburg

Further information for the press only is available from:

Dr Helga Pilz or Dr Anke Helten
Shandwick International Munich
Antonienstr. 1
80802 Munich
Germany
Tel. + 49 (0) 89 383879-0/383879-21
Fax + 49 (0) 89 383879-38
hpilz@shandwick.com

(We will be happy to provide more extensive information on request via the ESGE)