Heartburn belongs to the common signs of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Approximately 5-19% of the adult population experiences this unpleasant phenomenon at least once a week, and 7% daily. A symptom that appears about an hour after eating, most often described as burning behind the sternum, is heartburn. What is gastroesophageal reflux disease? This is one of the causes of heartburn, which occurs as a result of malfunction of the lower esophageal sphincter. Fortunately, with the appropriate treatment, you can get rid of this disease.
Causes of Heartburn
More recently, it was believed that heartburn in the stomach appears due to excessive secretion of gastric juice. However, it turns out that reflux is associated with the malfunctioning of the lower sphincter, which does not open when it should. The reason for this phenomenon is very often a too weak contraction or very free work of the entire esophagus.
Reflux can be a consequence of a hiatal hernia - a diaphragmatic extension (the muscles that separate the chest from the abdomen) of the hole through which the esophagus passes.
In a normal situation, the muscles should tightly cover the final segment of the esophagus and thereby support its work. Another cause of heartburn may be too full a stomach. In this case, he does not cope with the digestion of food and pushes part of the contents back into the esophagus. Very rarely, the structure of the gastrointestinal tract can become the cause of reflux.
Heartburn Enhancing Factors
An unpleasant burning sensation in the stomach or esophagus, as a rule, occurs after overeating, eating too greasy, spicy, seasoned or excessively rich in carbohydrates.
Heartburn is aggravated by such factors:
- Malnutrition.
- With a change in body position.
- Excessive physical activity.
- In the course of work requiring a bent body position.
Heartburn medications usually alleviate the symptoms caused in this way. But in some cases, a burning sensation may indicate more serious illnesses.
Symptoms of Heartburn
The main symptom is a burning sensation in the esophagus, which causes heartburn and pain in the stomach. It can stretch along the entire length of the esophagus and, therefore, reach the chest. Sometimes increases with a sharp change of position. In addition, it may accompany a sour taste in the mouth and burping. Heartburn occurs, usually after eating, when the digestion process occurs. Soft tissue calcification is caused by fatty and heavy meals, as well as overeating.
Why should the contents of the stomach not be in the esophagus?
Hydrochloric acid and stomach enzymes should not enter the esophagus. Only the wall (inner layer) is protected from the corrosive effects of acids. The mucous membrane of the esophagus is more sensitive in structure to the enzymes of the stomach. Therefore, the acidic environment slowly destroys the walls of the esophagus, causing at the first stage loosening and redness - inflammation of the mucous membrane.
Complications after an illness
The first symptom of damage to the esophagus may be redness of the mucous membrane. The next stage is the appearance of erosion, small damage to the integrity of the mucous membrane (small wounds). When it comes to ulcers, that is, deep defects, we can talk about serious problems with the esophagus.
In some cases, seals are determined that are the result of wound healing. Sometimes the epithelium is replaced by another type: gastric or intestinal (in the case of a progressive disease that lasted for many years). This phenomenon is called Barretta's esophagus. This is a symptom of a severe form of reflux disease, increasing the risk of cancer of the esophagus (precancerous condition).
The complications of inflammation of the esophagus include:
- Narrowing of the esophagus.
- An ulcer and bleeding from it.
- Puncture of peptic ulcer with clinical consequences.
- The so-called Barretta esophagus.
All gastrointestinal diseases require a visit to the doctor. If you suspect a malaise (characteristic symptoms: heartburn, nausea, belching), a visit to a specialist is recommended. The doctor decides what kind of examinations to do to confirm or rule out the alleged illness. Also, if necessary, he will prescribe medications for heartburn and other manifestations of the disease.
X-ray of the upper gastrointestinal tract
During the study, the radiologist assesses the pathway through the esophagus, stomach and duodenum, recognizes anatomical abnormalities regarding these organs (hiatal hernia, esophageal stricture). However, this study does not allow to determine whether there are inflammatory changes in the esophagus.
Gastroscopy
More detailed information is provided by an examination of the upper section of the gastrointestinal tract, carried out using an endoscope, that is, gastroscopy. It allows you to evaluate in detail the surface of the mucous membrane of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum, exacerbation of the inflammatory process in the esophagus, the presence of damage to the mucous membrane (erosion), as well as the appearance of possible complications: ulcers and constrictions. The study helps to recognize serious diseases: Barretta's esophagus and early stages of esophageal cancer.
Ways to prevent heartburn
- After eating, you must wait at least an hour before you lie down or begin to perform actions that require a lot of effort.
- First of all, avoid the position in which the chest is tilted forward. In case of problems with heartburn, do not wear too tight belts.
- Raise your upper body during sleep by putting, for example, extra pillows at the head of the bed.
- Avoid foods that can cause heartburn. What is an unhealthy diet and what foods can trigger gastroesophageal reflux disease, you can find out from a specialist.
- Chocolate helps relax the sphincter muscles.
- Heartburn occurs due to the consumption of orange, lemon, or grapefruit juice. The acidity in the stomach sometimes exceeds acceptable limits.
- Fats, protein and calcium found in milk stimulate the production of gastric juices.
- Why is heartburn permanent? Especially noticeable manifestations may be after taking fatty foods. These include: butter, cheese, sauces, pastries and more.
- Peppermint helps to relax the muscles of the esophagus sphincter, which contributes to the occurrence of reflux.
- Onions, as well as spices, irritate the mucous membrane of the esophagus, thereby enhancing the burning sensation in the stomach.
- Avoid drinks that may cause heartburn. What are carbonated drinks and alcohol for the digestive tract? They can contribute to the ailments that are associated with reflux. All sorts of sodas should be avoided, as they are one of the main causes of flatulence and heartburn. Alcoholic beverages, such as wine, beer and other spirits, help to relax the muscles of the esophagus sphincter, thereby increasing the risk of heartburn. Also, coffee and tea irritate the mucous membrane and contribute to the relaxation of the sphincter.
- Reduce the amount of food consumed. Persons suffering from heartburn should consume small amounts of food, but often. Especially harmful is a plentiful meal in the evenings.
- Control your weight. Overweight people are more likely to have gastrointestinal diseases than people with normal body weight.
Heartburn Treatment
What is the treatment for heartburn? What treatment requires changing in lifestyle? Your main goal should be good habits, as they play an important role in the case of heartburn. Eating chili, salsa and pepper can cause a sharp increase in the level of acid in the body, which can accelerate the formation of this disease.
- Customize your diet. It is also important to refrain from overeating. The most suitable method for controlling heartburn is eating three times a day. If you feel the need for food, you can take a light snack between meals.
- Drink plenty of water. It plays an important role in the regulation of stomach acid. Most health experts recommend drinking at least eight to ten glasses of water per day. You should refrain from drinking liquids such as juices, coffee, and milk with food because they can increase the level of acid in the body. Also, avoid alcohol and do not smoke, as both of these stimulants contribute to the formation of heartburn.
- Practical advice: Try to sleep with two or three pillows under your head so that your whole body lies on the bed lower than your head. Avoid wearing tight-fitting clothing as this is harmful to your health. Try not to wear tight jeans and t-shirts.
Drugs that help with heartburn:
- Antacids: "Rennie", "Almagel". Take three times a day for 5-10 ml for five days.
- Antisecretory drugs: Omez, Pariet, Lanzap. Take 20 mg in the morning before meals. The course is about five weeks.
- H2-histamine blockers: Famotidine, Ranitidine. Take 300 mg per day for ten days.
- The drug "Motilak". Drink one tablet at a time when vomiting, nausea, or heaviness is observed.
Home Remedies for Heartburn
What to drink from heartburn? An unpleasant illness can be prevented with the help of natural remedies.
Some of the popular treatments for heartburn include:
- If you want to reduce pain and upset stomach, take ginger. Fresh root can be added to food or tea.
- Green tea is very effective in reducing the symptoms of heartburn. It helps our body in the process of digestion and soothes sensitive tissues of the stomach.
- What to drink from heartburn? Herbal teas are also very effective in dealing with problems associated with heartburn. Those that contain a small amount of ginger, licorice, chamomile, and peppermint roots help restore the gastric mucosa. After dinner, you need to brew the finished tea and prepare the infusion: add a teaspoon of the selected herbs to a glass of boiling water. Drink it better before going to bed half a cup.
If the problem is serious, your doctor may recommend pills for heartburn. The price of such drugs is in the available ranges: from 60 rubles to 1,500 rubles. But, nevertheless, many people are afraid to take conventional medications due to side effects. In this case, it is worth considering the use of baking soda to reduce unpleasant symptoms.
Soda Against Heartburn
Baking soda is an alkali that neutralizes acid in the stomach. In principle, it is a natural antacid. Nevertheless, you need to be very careful when using alkali, although soda for heartburn is effective. How to breed it so as not to disrupt the dosage and at the same time completely neutralize the acids of the stomach? Soda is an effective treatment for heartburn. This medication can be taken for a long period of time.
Court reviews, helps baking soda from heartburn. How to breed her? Dissolve half a teaspoon of baking soda in half a glass of water. Make sure the powder is completely dissolved, then drink. As a rule, it is not recommended to drink more than seven cups of this mixture in one day. When soda does not help get rid of heartburn, you should immediately go to the doctor. People suffering from high blood pressure should refrain from using this remedy for heartburn: it contains a large amount of sodium. In addition, this method is not indicated for pregnant women, as this causes water retention in the body.
Heartburn - an occasion to see a doctor!
Do not underestimate the pain and burning sensation in the stomach when heartburn occurs. Causes, folk remedies used to eliminate them, may vary depending on the severity of the disease. Home medicine can be used with rare manifestations of this ailment, but when the symptoms are permanent, you should immediately seek help from a specialist.