Heartburn is an unpleasant and constant burning sensation familiar to most people. In addition, a bitterness in the mouth and an overcrowded stomach can be additionally observed.
It is very important to know how to get rid of heartburn quickly and as efficiently as possible without harming your health. This problem is quite common, so there are many ways to solve it. In particular, the use of drugs, traditional medicine, as well as proper nutrition.
Main reasons
It is very important to understand why heartburn occurs, as this will quickly and efficiently eliminate the existing problem, choosing the most suitable remedy for this. The main reason for the appearance of unpleasant symptoms is the increased acidity of the stomach.
Burning and pain in the sternum adversely affect the well-being of the patient. Among other causes of this condition, the following can be distinguished:
- excess in the diet of foods that increase acidity;
- taking certain medications;
- malnutrition;
- the presence of bad habits;
- frequent consumption of carbonated drinks, tea and coffee;
- wearing tight clothing;
- excessive physical activity;
- excess weight;
- pregnancy;
- poor emotional state;
- digestive system diseases.
To resolve this problem, it is imperative to determine why heartburn began to occur. It can be observed in completely healthy people. Unpleasant sensations in the throat and esophagus occur suddenly and cause considerable discomfort, especially if untimely measures are taken to eliminate this problem.
Burning is not the only sign of heartburn. Symptoms are supplemented by such symptoms as nausea, belching, decreased performance, a bitter aftertaste in the mouth, and general severe weakness.
Sometimes heartburn can be a sign of diseases of the stomach and intestines, which is why if unpleasant symptoms occur, you need to consult a doctor for a comprehensive diagnosis.
How to quickly eliminate heartburn
Many are interested in how to get rid of heartburn, so as not to harm their health and eliminate unpleasant symptoms. Basically, such a violation occurs with overeating, as well as the abuse of harmful and heavy foods. To normalize well-being, you need to carefully monitor your diet and limit the consumption of flour, spicy and sour. You need to eat often and in small portions.
Everyone must know what to do with heartburn, provoked by functional disorders. Be sure to change your usual diet daily routine and review the menu. It is advisable to reduce weight in order to eliminate the existing violation without harm to health.
A sedentary lifestyle leads to heartburn, since it causes a violation of intestinal motility, therefore it is necessary to increase physical activity in order to stimulate the digestion process, the release of digestive enzymes.
If heartburn is manifested due to the presence of a disease in the body, then it is necessary to establish the main cause of its formation and cure the main pathology. It is important to use medications, since increased acidity can lead to dangerous pathologies, including oncology.
Folk remedies also exist, but it is worth remembering that they do not eliminate the main cause of heartburn, but only can reduce the consequences of this unpleasant manifestation.
Heartburn Medication
If unpleasant symptoms occur, it is very important to know how to deal with heartburn so that discomfort and burning sensation can be eliminated as quickly as possible. If such a sensation appears after each meal, then this may indicate the occurrence of a pathological process in the body. It is necessary to visit a doctor who will help determine the cause and prescribe effective therapy. As a rule, treatment is carried out at home and includes drug therapy.
It is important to know exactly what to drink with heartburn, since not all drugs are safe. All tablets are classified by composition and principle of action. Among them, it is necessary to highlight:
- antacids;
- blockers;
- stimulants;
- antisecretory drugs.
Antacids help neutralize hydrochloric acid. You can notice an improvement in well-being just a few minutes after taking them. The funds of this group are quite effective, however, they help eliminate only the symptoms and do not treat the disease itself, and can also provoke various side effects. The most popular drugs for heartburn in this group are Gaviscon and Rennie.
Antisecretory drugs reduce the production of the gastric gland, and also provide a lasting effect. With regular use of these medicines, you can eliminate not only the symptoms, but also the cause of heartburn. Among the most popular drugs can be identified "Orthanol", "Ranitidine." In addition, the doctor may prescribe Mezim for heartburn, which additionally helps to get rid of heaviness in the stomach and bloating.
There are special blockers that help suppress histamine receptors, thereby reducing the production of gastric juice. These drugs include Zantak, Histak, and many others. It is worth noting that it is forbidden to take such medications for heartburn on your own, as they provoke many side effects, including constipation, sleep disturbance and headache.
Medicines that activate intestinal motility, contribute to the normalization of their contractile function, as well as bringing to muscle tone. The best drugs of this group are Motilium, Domperidone, Mezim for heartburn.
If the burning is accompanied by an additional burping, then this may mean that the person has gastritis or an ulcer. To alleviate the condition, you can take drugs such as Fosfalugel, Maaloks, Venter, Gastal for heartburn. The most dangerous condition is the occurrence of a burning sensation at night, as this may indicate the presence of a malignant tumor. In this case, it is important to consult a doctor in a timely manner for a comprehensive diagnosis. To reduce reflux at night with a single manifestation, such means as Prevasid, Asifeks, Nexium will help.
“Smecta” is considered a good remedy for heartburn, which helps not only to cope with a burning sensation, but also helps to eliminate harmful substances from the body and has a protective effect on the gastric mucosa.
Before starting treatment, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the instructions for using this or that remedy. Some drugs have serious contraindications. If the doctor's instructions are not followed, after taking the tablets, various side effects may occur, in particular, severe dry mouth, irritability, drowsiness, headaches, thirst.
Folk remedies
To quickly get rid of the existing problem, it is important to know exactly how to deal with heartburn with the help of folk remedies. There are many different drugs, for example:
- infusions;
- decoctions;
- tinctures.
It is important to select medicinal plants that contribute to the normalization of production of hydrochloric acid, improve the functioning of the stomach and intestines. A big plus of such tools is efficiency and safety. With heartburn, you can use the following plants:
- chamomile;
- St. John's wort
- fennel;
- calamus root;
- plantain;
- yarrow.
To treat heartburn, you can use one or several plants at once. Chopped grass or flowers need to be poured with boiling water, steam and boil a little over low heat.
To quickly get rid of heartburn, you can use baking soda. This tool is very active, so you need to use it very carefully and only in case of emergency. Baking soda helps to quickly neutralize hydrochloric acid, but its effect lasts about 30 minutes.
The answer to the question of how to get rid of heartburn at home with folk remedies must be known. This will help products that are available in almost every home. One of the most effective means is fresh potato juice, which envelops the mucous membrane. Need to drink 2 tbsp. l before every meal. With prolonged use, it positively affects the mucous membrane, contributing to the treatment of gastritis, reducing the acidity of gastric juice.
The question of what to drink with heartburn worries many people suffering from this problem. In this case, plain mineral still water helps a lot. It helps to neutralize hydrochloric acid.
If you are concerned about what to do with heartburn to quickly fix the problem, you can eat some sunflower seeds. You can also chew a spoonful of dry oatmeal. Chew them carefully without haste. To eliminate the burning sensation in the esophagus will help jelly cooked from sour berries. Can be dissolved in 1 tbsp. warm milk 1 tbsp. l honey. You need to take this remedy in small sips an hour before meals or with a severe attack of heartburn.
To eliminate the burning sensation, a red sweet apple will help, just chew it. In the same way you can use carrots, but it is preferable to grate it first. Despite its sour taste, lemon can also help reduce acidity. You can take fresh juice or dissolve it previously in water. It is worth noting that it is contraindicated in case of problems with tooth enamel.
Dieting
The basis for a successful recovery is a proper, balanced diet for heartburn and a healthy lifestyle. Fatty, salty, spicy dishes, sparkling water, as well as convenience foods should be excluded from the usual diet. In addition, you need to minimize the consumption of sweets. It is strictly forbidden to use alcoholic and caffeinated drinks. It is best to bake, stew and cook food.
Nutrition for heartburn must be varied. Experts advise to include foods with a sufficient fiber content in the diet. It is recommended to eat various cereals, whole grain bread. The basis of the diet is fresh vegetables and fruits, lean meat and fish, soups. To eliminate unpleasant symptoms, you need to develop a food culture. It is necessary to normalize weight, abandon bad habits, eliminate stress, and also replace tight clothes with more comfortable ones.
What foods can not be consumed
You need to carefully adjust your menu for heartburn, as some foods significantly increase the acidity in the stomach. In addition, it is important to exclude food from your diet that has a negative reaction in the form of bloating, burning and heaviness. Properly thought out and compiled menu will avoid the occurrence of painful attacks. The following foods must be excluded from your usual diet:
- fresh bread, sweet pastries, yeast products;
- hot sauces, seasonings;
- Tomatoes
- sour fruits and berries;
- fatty dairy products;
- fatty and fried foods;
- chocolate;
- green tea, coffee, carbonated drinks;
- alcoholic drinks.
It is worth remembering that various processed foods and smoked meats can also provoke an attack. When choosing food and making a familiar diet, it is recommended to consume natural products, steamed or in the oven.
Compliance with the daily routine
In order not to wonder about how to get rid of heartburn, you need to carefully observe the daily routine. It is important to eat right. You need to consume food in small portions every 2-3 hours. The last meal should be no later than 3 hours before bedtime. You need to eat slowly so that excess air does not enter the stomach and the pressure inside the intestines does not increase. Immediately after eating food, you should not go to bed.
The digestive system can suffer from alcohol and tobacco abuse, so you need to abandon bad habits. It is important to devote enough time to walks in the fresh air, as well as to observe the sleep and rest regimen.
Heartburn during pregnancy
Pregnancy is a time when various changes occur in a woman’s body and new sensations arise. During this period, it is very important to know what is good for heartburn and what safe means can be taken so as not to harm the fetus.
Often a burning sensation and discomfort appears for several minutes, but it can last for hours, causing significant inconvenience. As a rule, heartburn occurs at the end of the first trimester, when the active growth of the uterus begins. In addition to foods that can cause burning sensation and discomfort, there are other predisposing factors. We list them:
- the level of the hormone progesterone increases;
- increased abdominal pressure with the growth of the uterus;
- fluctuations in the hormonal background;
- latent diseases of the stomach and intestines are manifested.
In some pregnant women, heartburn is observed constantly, regardless of food intake, forcing to look for funds that relieve a painful condition. Heartburn treatment should be carried out very carefully so that there is no negative effect on the fetus.
If burning and discomfort occurs periodically, then it is advisable to refuse to take medications and just review your menu, excluding products that increase acidity.
How to improve well-being
If a burning sensation is observed for a long time, then it is worth resorting to the use of special medications that help normalize well-being. Often during pregnancy, “Smecta” is prescribed for heartburn, as this remedy gently envelops the mucous membrane and helps to neutralize high acidity. In addition, it is worth noting that such a medicine is safe for the fetus.
Among the safe drugs, one can also distinguish "Rennie", "Maalox", "Gastal" for heartburn. It is worth noting that they can be taken only after the appointment of a doctor, and it is also necessary to strictly observe the dosage, since exceeding the norm of the drug can provoke undesirable consequences. Many drugs can provoke a delay in the growth and development of the fetus, so they need to be taken only in case of emergency.
In addition, you can use folk remedies, organize proper fractional nutrition and drinking regimen, sleep with a raised headboard, and also refuse to wear tight clothes.
If acidity is increased, then a mixture of carrot juice and cabbage will help eliminate heartburn. You need to take this tool in a 1: 1 ratio and slowly drink it. In addition, Borjomi alkaline water helps a lot. It is important to exclude dishes that provoke high acidity from your usual diet, namely:
- sweet foods;
- fatty dairy products;
- fat meat;
- fried, spicy and sour;
- alcohol;
- coffee, carbonated drinks, chocolate.
It is important to follow certain recommendations that will help alleviate the condition of a pregnant woman. So, doctors advise:
- eat in small portions, but often;
- chew food thoroughly;
- drink plenty of clean, still water;
- instead of tea and coffee, drink drinks based on ginger and chamomile;
- Do not use sauces and seasonings.
Almonds or walnuts will help get rid of an attack of heartburn. They help eliminate the accumulated gases in the stomach. You can also eat sunflower or pumpkin seeds, but it is worth remembering that they are high-calorie.
Prophylaxis
It is imperative that preventive measures be taken so that heartburn does not bother. Among the preventive measures, the following rules can be distinguished:
- you need to eat a little, but often;
- it is important to limit the consumption of foods that provoke high acidity;
- should limit the consumption of alcohol, coffee, tea;
- You can not play sports immediately after eating.
Heartburn causes a certain discomfort to a sick person, which is why it is important to take appropriate measures in time to eliminate the problem.