Heartburn is a fairly common phenomenon - a symptom that occurs with various pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract. Moreover, both women and men suffer from unpleasant sensations to the same extent. The characteristic signs of heartburn bring not only discomfort, but also painful sensations. Sometimes a pathological condition occurs in children. Some people are constantly confronted with this phenomenon, but, unfortunately, do not know with what methods they can deal with the problem and where to start. Let us consider in more detail the possible causes of heartburn and the most effective treatments.
Heartburn - what is it?
Currently, more than a third of the population suffers from various diseases of the digestive system. In addition to pain in the abdomen, many patients complain of frequent bouts of heartburn. A characteristic feature of the symptom is a burning sensation in the sternum. A pathological phenomenon is a reflux of the acidic contents of the stomach (gastric juice) into the esophagus and can be observed in completely healthy people.
In some cases, the phenomenon is confused with heart disease. Burning is localized behind the sternum and gives to the left shoulder blade, shoulder and arm. Symptoms are really similar to those that occur with food heartburn. However, the usual means to eliminate it will be completely powerless.
Causes of occurrence
Normally, the contents of the stomach should not enter the esophagus due to the natural defense mechanism, the role of which is played by the sphincter. Gastric juice irritates the mucous membrane of the esophagus and causes discomfort. Some patients say that they suffered from heartburn that occurs after almost every meal. This may be due to the presence of a history of reflux esophagitis - inflammation of the mucous membrane of the esophagus caused by constant reflux of gastric juice.
The causes of heartburn also include:
- increased acidity against the background of gastrointestinal tract pathologies (gastritis or peptic ulcer disease);
- binge eating;
- obesity;
- constant use of junk food (fatty, smoked, fried, spicy);
- hiatal hernia ;
- taking certain medications (antidepressants, antispasmodics, oral contraceptives);
- bad habits;
- wearing clothes squeezing the stomach;
- pregnancy (mechanical heartburn).
Frequent heartburn is a sign of what?
If the symptom bothers the patient constantly, it is imperative to consult a gastroenterologist. Such a phenomenon may indicate a violation of the functionality of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract. Most often, such patients are diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease. In the absence of adequate therapy, such an ailment passes into the chronic stage and can provoke a malignant degeneration of tissues.
Peptic ulcer, pancreatitis, cholecystitis - diseases in the presence of which a person can be tormented by a burning pain behind the sternum. Frequent heartburn is a sign of why and how to get rid of discomfort - these are frequent questions that can be heard from the patients of the general practitioner and gastroenterologist. It should be understood that to alleviate the condition, it is important to correctly establish the etiology of the pathological phenomenon.
Pregnancy and Heartburn
Most expectant mothers say that heartburn is one of the symptoms of an interesting situation. Unpleasant sensations arise already in the first weeks of gestation and accompany almost the entire period. Heartburn and nausea in the morning, bloating, flatulence and other digestive disorders are in some ways a sign of pregnancy.
In the later stages, the symptoms are very painful and occur at any time of the day, including at night. A certain food, increased intra-abdominal pressure, and a change in the level of the hormone progesterone can provoke the appearance of burning. The attacks of heartburn that occur during pregnancy should not scare a woman. This is a standard phenomenon that is not associated with any gastrointestinal diseases. If a similar condition was observed before conception, you should inform your doctor about this and go through an examination.
The main signs of heartburn
You can determine the pathological condition by the characteristic symptoms:
- burning in the epigastric region;
- sour taste in the mouth (especially in the morning);
- loss of appetite;
- increased pain when bending or in a horizontal position.
Usually, discomfort occurs half an hour after a meal. They are caused by food with pronounced taste characteristics. Heartburn in the stomach may occur after drinking coffee, strong tea, and alcohol. Burning is facilitated by overeating and drinking plenty of fluids during or after meals.
What to do with heartburn?
Before proceeding with the treatment of a pathological phenomenon, its etiology should be clarified. An accurate diagnosis can only be made by a specialist after the patient passes the diagnosis. There are various methods of influencing the problem. Most often, from heartburn at home, take antifoam drugs, antacids, enveloping medicines. Alternative methods of treatment can also be used.
With a frequently occurring syndrome, experts recommend revising the diet and completely eliminating junk food from it. Diet therapy is a prerequisite for improving the condition.
If untreated, the effects of heartburn can be extremely undesirable. Constant reflux of acid into the esophagus provokes the appearance of erosion and ulcers on the mucous surface. Over time, such formations begin to scar, which leads to a narrowing of the esophagus, and the patient feels difficulty swallowing food. Pathology is eliminated by surgical intervention.
Does soda help?
Water with soda is one of the many home methods to eliminate unpleasant symptoms in heartburn. Indeed, the substance can quickly stop the pain. An aqueous solution of sodium bicarbonate is able to neutralize the increased acidity of the gastric juice due to the chemical reaction that occurs between soda and acid. As a result, substances harmless to the body are formed - water, sodium salt and carbon dioxide. However, not everyone knows that such a method can harm the body.
Carbon dioxide irritates the gastric mucosa, which causes increased release of hydrochloric acid. That is, sodium bicarbonate can only bring temporary relief, followed by a significant deterioration. Signs of heartburn in this case will manifest themselves more pronounced. Therefore, it is worth using soda only as a last resort, when there are no other, more gentle ways at hand.
Heartburn Remedies
Most effective drugs belong to the group of antacids. The composition of such drugs contains magnesium, aluminum and soda. They are able to quickly eliminate painful sensations, but do not affect the true cause of heartburn. Antacids are produced in the form of tablets, powders and suspensions for oral administration.
If heartburn and belching are observed after eating, you should take drugs from this pharmacological group. Absorbed antacids have a quick effect: Rennie, Vicalin, calcium carbonate (chalk). They act on the principle of soda and have only a short-term effect.
Antacids that are not absorbed into the systemic circulation will help neutralize and adsorb hydrochloric acid without side effects. Such drugs include Fosfalugel, Almagel, Simethicon, Relzer, Gastracid, Maalox. They have a prolonged therapeutic effect and are excreted from the body naturally.
Reduce the production of hydrochloric acid antisecretory medications. They can only be prescribed by a specialist if the diet and antacid treatment have not brought relief to the patient. With prolonged and regular intake, such medications can prevent relapse. The most affordable drug is Omeprazole, a proton pump blocker. A similar effect is exerted by Omez, Ultop, Losek. To cope with esophagitis that causes heartburn, a tool such as "Emanera" will help.
What drugs are allowed during pregnancy?
You can also get rid of an unpleasant sour taste in the mouth of a future mother with the help of some medications. One of the safest drugs are antacids that are not absorbed into the blood. Enveloping effect has "Gaviscon" in the form of a suspension. The tool has passed clinical trials and can be used during pregnancy.
The resulting heartburn after eating can significantly worsen the well-being of the expectant mother. "Rennie" resorption tablets will help eliminate pain during 5 minutes after administration. The presence of calcium and magnesium in the carbonates has a positive effect on increased acidity. However, despite the high safety, according to the instructions, tablets can be taken only from the second trimester of pregnancy.
Folk methods
Many people suffering from frequent bouts of heartburn, use home-based methods to get rid of this unpleasant phenomenon. Experts warn that it is desirable to use such techniques together with drugs for the treatment of pathologies of the digestive tract.
If tormented by heartburn, abdominal pain and belching, you can use potato juice to quickly relieve symptoms. To do this, grate fresh potatoes, squeeze the juice and take it in the morning, before eating. It is recommended to drink at least half a glass of potato “medicine” at a time. You can take food within half an hour after the manipulation. The duration of treatment in this way is 10 days.
An infusion of flaxseed, known for its healing properties in various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, can also help with heartburn at home. The liquid is prepared from a teaspoon of seeds and a glass of boiling water. It is advisable to prepare the infusion in the evening, so that in the morning it can be taken on an empty stomach.
Infusions of various medicinal herbs will cope with bouts of burning and pain in the esophagus. A pronounced therapeutic effect is possessed by chamomile, plantain and St. John's wort. The mixture is prepared in a ratio of 1: 4: 4, pouring a glass of boiling water and insisting for at least two hours. The liquid should be filtered and taken in 2 tbsp. tablespoons thrice a day.
Heartburn Chalk
Increased acidity, causing unpleasant signs of heartburn, can be temporarily eliminated with a conventional chalk. It is crushed into powder, calcined in a preheated pan and cooled. After this, the powder must again be crushed with a coffee grinder and pour into a dry, clean glass container. To avoid discomfort in the epigastric region after eating, it is necessary to take the powder one hour before meals 3 times a day.
How to avoid heartburn?
If you adhere to some recommendations, it is quite possible to prevent another attack of burning behind the sternum. First of all, patients who are predisposed to a pathological phenomenon should change their diet. If you take food in small portions, the load on the digestive tract will be significantly reduced, the production of hydrochloric acid will decrease.
Dietary nutrition is the foundation of any treatment for heartburn. Refusing smoked, fried, spicy, spicy and salty, you can not be afraid of the appearance of burning in the esophagus. If the patient has noticed that there is heartburn after sour or sweet, then it is necessary to reduce the use of these products.
The last meal should be no later than 4 hours before bedtime. After the meal, you should move, and not take a horizontal position.
We treat heartburn in children
Pathologies of the digestive system are observed not only in adults, but also in small patients. Often children complain of a burning sensation in the upper abdomen. A similar situation is typical mainly for adolescents 13-15 years old. This is due to the fact that the sphincter is not yet developed enough to fully perform its functions. Also, the reason may lie in neurological abnormalities, stress, disruption of the digestive tract (flatulence, constipation). There is heartburn, bloating, belching, pain in the abdomen and with malnutrition.
It is possible to reduce the increased acidity in children with the help of drugs from the antacid group. Prescribe a specific drug and its dosage should be the attending physician. It is also important to follow a diet and eliminate harmful foods from the child’s diet. You need to eat at least 5-6 times a day. It is allowed to eat various cereals (buckwheat and oatmeal are especially useful), fresh vegetables, fruits, water without gas, lean meat, dairy products.