HEARTBURN THROUGH THE CENTURIES
Heartburn is an ancient malady that has plagued humans for thousands of years. Throughout the centuries, scientists and physicians have recommended a wide variety of heartburn remedies — everything from drugs, foods and various behavioral changes to witchcraft, voodoo, cocaine and the application of leeches. Here is a brief history of this age-old affliction and its treatments:
First Century A.D.
Roman scientist "Pliny the Elder" recommends "coral powder" as the first recorded heartburn treatment. Coral powder contains calcium carbonate, an ingredient used in many of today's antacids.
Second Century
Greek physician Galen develops first medical definition of heartburn and dubs it kardialgia, or heart pain. Its Latin translation, cardialgia, has survived until modern times.
Seventh Century
Chinese doctors develop a magical heartburn "cure" composed of yellow paper containing characters with colored chemicals. These substances contain compounds similar to those in modern-day antacids, such as calcium and magnesium.
Sixteenth Century
Renaissance physicians begin to look inside the body instead of towards heaven for biological answers. Autopsies become less restricted, and scientists observe that the stomach can be eaten away. Stomach functions become source of debate.
Nineteenth Century
Heartburn rises due to increased stress and new diets of Industrial Revolution; earns reputation as "America's national disease."
1822
Dr. William Beaumont, an American frontier army surgeon, observes a wounded patient's stomach function for 10 years. Beaumont discovers that stomach juices include powerful acids that aren't produced until food enters the stomach. New regimens —including starvation diets —are developed in response to the findings.
Early 1900s
Dr. Bertram Sippy develops the Sippy diet, which features regular feedings of milk and antacids. The Sippy diet remains the prime model for heartburn treatment until the 1970s, when scientific investigation proves that milk can actually increase acid production and too many antacids can be a source of serious side effects.
1936
Dr. Asher Winkelstein, a New York physician, gives heartburn "respect" by defining a new condition called "peptic esophagitis." This definition introduces the concept that heartburn could be severe and caused by irritation of stomach juices.
1976
Tagamet®, the first histamine blocker, is introduced in Great Britain and turns researchers' attention away from coping with acid and towards decreasing the flow of acid.
1988
Losec®, the first proton pump inhibitor, is marketed in France.
1995
Histamine blockers (H2RAs) become available without a prescription in America.
2003
Proton pump inhibitors become available without a prescription in America.
