Many people are familiar with what heartburn is. This unpleasant phenomenon can appear occasionally or haunt a person constantly. In the first case, heartburn is associated with overeating or eating spicy foods, and in the second it is a pathology. Such patients are diagnosed with reflux esophagitis. The disease is characterized by the throwing of the contents of the stomach into the esophagus, which leads to the appearance of heartburn, burning in the throat, and nausea. This pathology is rather unpleasant, so many patients are interested in how to cure reflux esophagitis forever. If you approach this issue responsibly and follow all the measures recommended by your doctor, you can get rid of the problem.
General characteristics of pathology
Reflux esophagitis is an inflammation of the walls of the esophagus that arose due to ingestion of food mixed with gastric juice. It is because of these features that pathology received this name. After all, esophagitis is inflammation of the esophagus, and reflux is the reflux of food from the stomach back, sometimes it is also called heartburn.
The mechanism of the development of the disease is that the work of the sphincter, which blocks the entrance to the stomach, is disrupted. Under the pressure of food, it can open and release the contents of the stomach back into the esophagus. Moreover, food gets there along with gastric juice, which has a high acidity. This leads to irritation of the delicate mucosa of the esophagus, to the development of the inflammatory process. Sometimes ulcers and erosion form due to this.
Reflux esophagitis is accompanied by characteristic symptoms, including:
- belching, belching, heartburn;
- burning sensation in the esophagus;
- bad taste in the mouth - sour or bitter;
- soreness in the esophagus and stomach;
- lump in throat, difficulty swallowing.
Causes of the disease
Esophagitis or inflammation of the mucous membrane of the esophagus can develop under the influence of various factors. Most often it is gastroesophageal reflux. Throwing the contents of the stomach into the esophagus most often occurs due to overeating, when the contents of an overflowing stomach presses on the esophageal sphincter, due to digestive disorders, squeezing of the abdomen with a belt or tight clothes, excess weight. For many people, pathology occurs due to abnormalities of the sphincter itself. The low tone of his muscles leads to the fact that any sudden movement or horizontal position after eating immediately leads to reflux. Pregnant women often suffer from this condition, in whom the sphincter opens due to pressure on the stomach of an enlarged uterus.
Separately, inflammation of the esophagus can occur with some bacterial or viral infections, low immunity, burns of the mucous membrane with chemicals or low-quality alcoholic beverages. Even improper nutrition can also cause pathology. Plain black tea or coffee, fatty meats, canned food, fast food, soda - all this can lead to heartburn. Adherence to strict diets, frequent stresses, neuroses can also provoke the development of this pathology, and that is how most people now live. Therefore, every third suffers from reflux esophagitis.
Features of the treatment of pathology
Those who are interested in whether reflux esophagitis can be cured forever need to understand that this disease is serious and difficult to treat. Any drugs should be used with caution, since most of them irritate the mucous membrane of the esophagus even more. Therefore, complex treatment is necessary, the methods of which depend on the severity of the pathology, the individual condition of the patient, the presence of concomitant diseases, and the cause of heartburn.
It is especially difficult to understand whether reflux esophagitis can be cured forever in a child. After all, in this case, the pathology can be associated with abnormalities in the development of the esophagus and its sphincter, which can only be removed surgically. But with a competent approach and full adherence to all the recommendations of a doctor, a cure is possible.
Only a specialist after examining a patient can determine how to cure reflux esophagitis. Typically, these methods are assigned:
- drug therapy;
- refusal of bad habits, stress;
- lifestyle changes;
- special diet;
- folk remedies.
Can the disease be cured forever?
This pathology does not belong to the incurable, but still not all patients achieve a full recovery. And the reason for this situation is that the basic principles of treatment are not always respected. After the diagnosis is made, each patient is interested in whether reflux esophagitis can be cured forever. Reviews of doctors note that it is impossible to do this mainly with those who make mistakes in treatment. There are basic principles that must be followed to cure:
- The most important rule that must be observed for a successful recovery is to use any medication only as directed by a doctor. Wrong drug choices can lead to a worsening condition. Even conventional antacids have contraindications.
- Failure to comply with the instructions or duration of treatment is another common mistake. Some patients, feeling relieved, stop drinking medications or drink them from time to time. This can lead to a new exacerbation or to the transition of the pathology into a chronic form.
- It is also very important to begin treatment at the initial stage. The cure for reflux esophagitis is possible with timely diagnosis. If you tolerate the first symptoms, then getting rid of the pathology will be more difficult.
- Without a diet and a special lifestyle, drug treatment will be ineffective. Therefore, only complex therapy is needed.
- It is important to treat all pathologies of the digestive tract in time and regularly undergo a medical examination so as not to miss exacerbations.
When asked how to cure reflux esophagitis quickly, many doctors provide this list of recommendations. Following them, you can permanently get rid of the pathology.
Medication for reflux esophagitis
The medications used for this disease eliminate the internal causes of discomfort. You can not self-medicate, since not everyone knows how to cure reflux esophagitis with medication. You can not use any medication without a doctor’s prescription, as many, for example, NSAIDs, strongly irritate the mucous membrane and can lead to a worsening of the condition. All medicines for this pathology can be drunk only after examination and consultation with a specialist.
How to cure reflux esophagitis with medication? With this pathology, usually such agents are prescribed that are able to reduce the acidity of the gastric juice and protect the mucosa of the digestive tract from its aggressive effects. In addition, drugs are shown that increase the tone of the esophageal sphincter and contribute to a faster emptying of the stomach from food. In addition, it is necessary to prescribe medications for the treatment of concomitant diseases of the digestive system: gastritis, ulcers, duodenitis, pancreatitis, cholecystitis.
Reflux esophagitis can be cured if all drugs prescribed by your doctor are used correctly. Usually they are prescribed in combination, since there is no one remedy that would have a therapeutic effect on the mucous membrane, sphincter of the esophagus and its motility. Therefore, apply one drug from each group:
- Histamine receptor blockers and proton pump inhibitors. These funds are needed to reduce the production of hydrochloric acid and stop its entry into the stomach. These are antisecretory drugs that prevent the appearance of pain, heartburn and burning in the esophagus. The most commonly prescribed are Omeprazole, Lansoprazole, Famotidine, or Ranitidine. Drinking them is recommended twice a day after eating. The duration of treatment is usually at least a month.
- It is impossible to unequivocally answer whether reflux esophagitis can be cured only with the help of antisecretory drugs, since prokinetics are always prescribed in addition to them. These drugs activate the motility of the digestive tract, contributing to a faster emptying of the stomach in a natural way. In addition, they increase the tone of the esophageal sphincter, preventing the appearance of nausea, heartburn and belching. Usually, Metoclopramide and preparations based on it - Tserukal, Reglan, Perinorm - are prescribed for these purposes. In addition, domperidone-based products are also effective: Domperidone, Motilak, Motilium. All these funds should be drunk half an hour before meals.
- Sometimes patients are interested in whether reflux esophagitis can be cured without these drugs. In the most mild cases, when there are no concomitant pathologies and digestion is not broken, and only heartburn is present, you can try to cope with it with the help of antacids. These are drugs that envelop and protect the mucous membrane, as well as neutralize hydrochloric acid. Additionally, antacids help absorb toxins and have a weak antiseptic effect. Most often used are Gastal, Almagel, Maalox, Fosfalugel or Rennie. They should be drunk three times a day 15 minutes before meals.
- In case of duodenal reflux, when the contents of the duodenum enter the esophagus, enzyme preparations, for example, Festal or Mezim Forte, are additionally used. Without them, it is impossible to cure reflux esophagitis also if the patient has pathologies of the pancreas.
- Additionally, other drugs can be prescribed that are prescribed in the presence of other pathologies of the digestive system. It can be antibiotics, anesthetics, astringents, antispasmodics or probiotics.
Therapeutic diet
When the question arises, how to cure reflux esophagitis forever, doctors say that this is impossible without changing the diet and diet. None of the most effective drugs will help to get rid of the pathology, if the wrong diet will constantly provoke exacerbations. Therefore, first of all, it is necessary to avoid such food that causes bloating, slows digestion, weakens the tone of the esophageal sphincter or increases the acidity of gastric juice. The prohibited products for this pathology include:
- alcoholic drinks;
- whole milk, dairy products;
- fresh rye bread;
- legumes, especially peas and beans;
- White cabbage;
- smoked meats, lard;
- canned food, marinades;
- mushrooms;
- fruits and berries without heat treatment;
- ice cream;
- any acidic foods, seasonings and spices;
- Tomatoes
- nuts and seeds;
- coffee;
- carbonated drinks.
There are certain rules, adhering to which, you can prevent the occurrence of heartburn and accelerate the healing of the mucous membrane. First of all, you can’t eat before bedtime, the last meal should be no later than 3 hours before bedtime. And in the afternoon after eating, it is undesirable to go to bed or lean forward. There is a need in small portions, it is unacceptable to overfill the stomach. To get enough, you need to increase the number of meals - up to 7 times a day. You can not drink after meals, any drinks are consumed half an hour before it. All food should be easily digestible, so it’s better to boil and grind it well, even to a puree state. Otherwise, you need to chew it well.
But the patient’s diet should be varied in order to prevent a lack of essential nutrients. The basis of the menu should be such products:
- cereals;
- dried white bread;
- low-fat cottage cheese, natural yogurt;
- meat of chicken, turkey, veal or rabbit without skin and offal;
- low-fat fish;
- baked apples;
- boiled or stewed vegetables;
- stewed fruits and berries.
Lifestyle for Reflux Esophagitis
The treatment of this pathology must necessarily be comprehensive. Answering the question of how to cure reflux esophagitis forever, doctors always advise their patients to lead a healthy lifestyle. Moreover, you need to change not only eating habits. The most important thing is to give up smoking and alcohol. It is these bad habits that cause pathology in many cases. It is also necessary to avoid stress and treat neuroses in time, as heartburn can begin on a nervous basis.
In addition, it is very important to ensure that nothing squeezes the abdominal cavity, so you need to abandon tight jeans, tight belts. Even orthopedic bandages on the lower back can provoke reflux. For the same purpose, care must be taken not to go to bed after eating, not to lean forward, not to play sports. After eating, at least two hours should pass before this.
How to cure reflux esophagitis with folk remedies?
Reviews of people who got rid of this disease note that the drugs help well, but their use can be reduced if traditional medicine recipes are used. Herbs are usually used for this, which help reduce the acidity of the stomach and heal the damaged mucosa. Apply folk remedies only after consulting a doctor. This is an auxiliary therapeutic method, therefore, with an exacerbation of the disease, you can not refuse drugs. After all, for folk remedies to work, they need to be taken for a long time.
Most often, medicines containing herbs are used. Some prescriptions are even given by doctors in response to the question of how to cure reflux esophagitis of the 1st degree, since at the initial stage they are effective even without the use of drugs.
- Effective collection of chamomile, lemon balm, licorice root and flaxseed. All components must be taken 10-20 g and pour a liter of boiling water. Then boil for 10 minutes in a water bath and insist for several hours. A filtered broth is taken in 50 ml 4 times a day.
- If you use the infusion of plantain seeds and buckthorn bark, you can improve intestinal motility. The small intestine is emptied faster, which prevents the flow of bile into the stomach. To do this, take a pinch of each component, pour a glass of boiling water, insist and take half a glass three times a day.
- In summer, you can make juice from fresh plantain. You need to take it in a tablespoon 15 minutes before eating.
- To eliminate bloating and improve intestinal motility, an infusion of dill seeds is taken. (1 tsp. In a glass of boiling water).
- A tasty and healthy medicine that can be given even to children is made from dandelion flowers. They need to be put in a jar, pouring each layer with sugar. Put in the sun and periodically crush to stand out juice. It should be taken in a tablespoon before meals.
Many will be interested to learn how to cure reflux esophagitis with folk remedies without herbs. For this, the most effective method has long been considered potato juice. You need to rub the raw potato and squeeze the juice out of it. It is drunk several times a day before meals. It reduces the acidity of the stomach and protects the mucous membrane. The main thing is to prepare a fresh portion of juice each time. This remedy works gradually, but there is a way to quickly get rid of pain. To do this, eat 2 tablespoons of washed wheat grains.
Surgery
Sometimes doctors, when asked how to cure reflux esophagitis forever, answer that only with the help of surgery. Indeed, in advanced cases, as well as with serious abnormalities in the functioning of the esophageal sphincter, the problem can be eliminated only surgically.
Especially often, an operation is prescribed when it is necessary to correct a hernia of the esophagus. Such an intervention helps to increase the tone of the sphincter, which accelerates the movement of food into the intestines. Such operations are usually done non-invasively using a laparoscope. Other surgical methods may also be used, for example, expansion of the lumen of the esophagus tube, anastomosis of the esophagus.
Relapse prevention
Usually, even with an acute form of the disease, all unpleasant symptoms disappear after a few days of proper treatment. A full course of therapy is 2-3 months. But even if the patient complied with all the recommendations of the doctor, there is a danger that the disease will return soon under the influence of provoking factors. To avoid this, it is necessary to observe preventive measures:
- control your weight and prevent its increase;
- do not go to bed within 2 hours after eating;
- do not wear clothes that squeeze the abdominal cavity;
- to refuse from bad habits;
- do not eat foods that increase the acidity of gastric juice;
- drink enough pure or mineral water.
Reviews of real people
Who cured reflux esophagitis, try to do everything so that the disease does not return. Many people share their thoughts on pathology. Most notes that they can’t do without a diet. Everyone drank different medicines, but most of all positive reviews about Almagel. This remedy quickly helps relieve soreness and eliminates heartburn. Those who cured reflux esophagitis leave positive reviews, as they finally felt relief. , .
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