Many people have an unpleasant burning sensation after eating. Some experience discomfort periodically, but almost 40% of the entire population suffers from this phenomenon constantly. At the same time, few people understand what the cause of heartburn and its consequences for the body are hidden. And only a few know that the connection between this phenomenon and cancer of the esophagus has already been proven.
What is heartburn?
Initially, it should be noted that this phenomenon in itself does not apply to diseases. However, you should not take it lightly. Since the cause of heartburn and its consequences can be fraught with quite serious ailments. In this case, often in people suffering from such discomfort, gastrointestinal diseases are diagnosed. Due to chronic heartburn, erosion, ulcers, scars often occur. In addition, you should know that it can lead to cancer.
Heartburn is manifested as a burning sensation in the esophagus, behind the sternum. Sometimes discomfort reaches a high intensity. In this case, a person experiences real torment.
People who have increased acidity of gastric juice are very often prone to heartburn. Discomfort occurs, as a rule, half an hour after eating. A similar sensation manifests itself as a result of the acid contents from the stomach getting back into the esophagus. A person with reduced secretion may also experience heartburn.
The answer to the question of whether it is possible to get rid of an unpleasant phenomenon can be obtained only after a complete diagnosis of the patient. The doctor will determine the cause of heartburn and its consequences for the body. Based on the results, an effective strategy for eliminating discomfort is selected.
Concomitant symptoms
In most cases, a person is tormented not only by heartburn. Causes and consequences are closely intertwined with additional symptoms. Often, against the background of heartburn after eating, belching, nausea occurs. In this case, an acidic or bitter taste is felt in the mouth.
In the event that heartburn constantly occurs, the causes and consequences of this phenomenon should be discussed with the doctor, especially when accompanied by discomfort with the following symptoms:
- chronic cough;
- weakness
- feeling of tiredness;
- loss of appetite.
The need for an immediate visit to a specialist is indicated by the following symptoms:
- vomiting with blood;
- sternal pain;
- bloody stools.
Causes of Heartburn
It is possible to determine what triggered this phenomenon only after examination.
Quite often, heartburn is caused by:
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease. A common disease resulting from damage to the mucous membrane of the esophagus by stomach acid.
- Esophageal sphincter failure. His relaxation is caused by stress, taking certain medications.
- Hernia of the esophagus. Part of the stomach protrudes through the hole. As a result, gastric juice is thrown into the esophagus.
- Chronic gastritis. It is observed with increased secretion of gastric juice. Heartburn provokes fatty foods, spicy, fried, smoked dishes.
- Gastric or duodenal ulcer. There is a violation of the contraction of the stomach. It rises in pressure. As a result, the contents of the stomach are thrown into the esophagus.
- Surgical interventions. If a part of the stomach or duodenum is removed from the patient, the digestive juice and bile enter the esophagus. This is the essence of the phenomenon of heartburn, causes and consequences. After removal of the gallbladder , a similar pattern is also observed. In this case, heartburn is accompanied by belching with a bitter aftertaste.
Other reasons
You should remember a few more factors that cause such a thing as heartburn. The causes of the exclusion of all the above diseases lurk in the wrong lifestyle and bad habits.
Possible sources of heartburn:
- obesity (overweight);
- the use of certain drugs (for example, aspirin, theophylline, ibuprofen);
- smoking;
- alcohol abuse
- pregnancy;
- excessive consumption of fatty, sour, spicy, fried foods;
- nervous shock, stress;
- eating right before bedtime.
In some cases, other causes such as heartburn can also be observed.
Home treatment
Periodically, all people have this phenomenon. You can verify this if you reconsider again the causes that cause such discomfort as heartburn. Home treatment is possible. If such symptoms are observed periodically (irregularly), an hour later (or a little earlier) after eating, you can get rid of the unpleasant phenomenon yourself.
Most people begin to get rid of heartburn with medication. However, it is quite effective to establish a diet and diet. Clinical observations have shown that following simple rules helps get rid of heartburn for most people without the use of any medication.
Nutrition tips
To eliminate the phenomenon of heartburn, causes and consequences, the diet should be based on the following recommendations:
- The first rule is the most important. It is necessary to eat as little food as possible at a time. In this case, you should eat often. Remember: the excessive amount of food eaten at a time provokes the production of large amounts of gastric juice. It is he who irritates the esophagus. Therefore, do not overeat.
- Try to eat as little food as possible at night. One small sandwich is enough.
- Try not to introduce milk into your diet. If desired, a small amount of fat-free product is permissible. It is believed that milk can bring instant relief of heartburn. However, it is this product that stimulates the production of gastric juice. Therefore, after several hours, heartburn occurs again. After all, milk contains protein and calcium. They increase the secretion of acid by the stomach.
- Try to notice which foods cause heartburn. Exclude them from your diet.
- Do not completely abandon the use of citrus fruits, spices, chocolate, coffee. Especially if these products do not cause your discomfort. However, abuse of this food is undesirable.
- Diversify your diet with foods that contain fiber and complex carbohydrates. These are potatoes, cereals, pasta, bran bread. This food is very nutritious, easy to digest and helps to neutralize excess acid.
- Refuse fatty foods. Such products are retained for a long time in the stomach cavity, and therefore contribute to a greater secretion of gastric juice.
- Eliminate or limit your alcohol intake to the maximum. This also applies to smoking.
So, the main and most important (if serious phenomena such as heartburn, causes are excluded) treatment is diet.
Folk remedies
You can get rid of discomfort by well-known, proven methods for centuries. Again, before applying the following recipes, determine what caused the heartburn (causes). Treatment with folk remedies will be effective if the source of the problem is not a serious ailment.
The most famous and affordable way to eliminate discomfort is the use of 1 tsp. baking soda. However, this method cannot be considered the most effective and safe, despite the fact that it really quickly neutralizes stomach acid. You should be aware that baking soda reacts with hydrochloric acid. Carbon dioxide is released. It stimulates the production of even more acid in the stomach cavity. This leads to the fact that a couple of hours after drinking soda, heartburn is repeated again.
An effective and safe remedy for discomfort is lightly carbonated or table still non-carbonated alkaline mineral water. For example, Borjomi. A couple of sips instantly relieve heartburn.
Recipe 1
With heartburn and belching, you can recommend taking celery juice. It is advisable to eat before meals. One tablespoon is enough.
Recipe 2
An excellent remedy for discomfort is an infusion of chamomile, mint, wormwood. This tool is also taken exclusively before meals.
Recipe 3
Raw potatoes are a great remedy for heartburn. It is recommended to chew it periodically. You can apply fresh juice from tubers.
Heartburn Medication
Medications are recommended to be used only after carefully examining the causes of heartburn, causes and consequences. Treatment only in this case will be effective. After all, some drugs can neutralize acid, while others lead to a decrease in the production of gastric juice.
To get rid of heartburn, several groups of drugs are used.
Antacids
This category includes:
- "Bismuth subsalicylate",
- Rutacid
- Almagel.
These drugs neutralize acidity, reduce irritation of damaged sections of the esophagus. Such medications are only taken when heartburn occurs. They are an effective way to get rid of discomfort, which happens rarely.
Unfortunately, drugs have disadvantages. They are characterized by a short-term effect on the body (1.5-2 hours). However, they do not protect against repeated episodes. Frequent use of antacids can lead to a violation of mineral metabolism in the body.
Antisecretory drugs
Medications help reduce acid production. Thereby, acceleration of the healing of damaged sections of the esophagus is achieved.
This group includes drugs:
- Omeprazole
- Ranitidine
- Famotidine
- "Lansoprazole."
These drugs are very effective in treating a pathology such as gastroesophageal reflux. The duration of exposure to drugs reaches 4-8 hours. Systematic medication helps to avoid repeated heartburn.
However, antisecretory drugs also have disadvantages. They do not instantly eliminate heartburn. Relief occurs after about 30 minutes, and sometimes an hour after administration. These medicines have the following side effects:
- depression;
- headache;
- hepatitis;
- hallucinations;
- diarrhea.
Heartburn during pregnancy
In an "interesting" position, women often experience heartburn. The source of the occurrence may be muscle relaxation, which overlaps the passage of the esophagus into the stomach. Increased abdominal pressure in the later stages can also cause an unpleasant symptom. If a woman is not diagnosed with a different disease, then the above factors are the main factors provoking such a phenomenon as heartburn.
Treatment during pregnancy should be prescribed only by a doctor. In most cases, diet helps. Alternative methods of treatment are effective.
If the above remedies do not help, your doctor may prescribe some drugs from the antacid category. If necessary, antisecretory drugs are also indicated.
Conclusion
If desired, the cause of heartburn and its consequences for the body can be quite easily eliminated. One has only to make an effort. With excess weight, it will be superfluous to lose weight. In the presence of bad habits, abandonment of them will favorably affect the whole body. Just start loving yourself, and your life will become much more comfortable and easier, and your health more robust.