Heartburn is a fairly common phenomenon, a symptom that occurs with various pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract. Moreover, both women and men suffer from discomfort to the same extent. The characteristic signs of heartburn bring not only discomfort, but also pain. Sometimes a pathological condition occurs in children. Some people are constantly faced with this phenomenon, but, unfortunately, they do not know what methods can be used to deal with the problem and where to start. Let's take a closer look at 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 retrosternal region. The pathological phenomenon is the reflux of the acidic contents of the stomach (gastric juice) into the esophagus and can be observed in absolutely he althy 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. The 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
The contents of the stomach normally should not enter the esophagus due to the natural defense mechanism, the role of which is performed by the sphincter. Gastric juice irritates the mucous membrane of the esophagus and causes discomfort. Some patients say that they were tortured by heartburn that occurs after almost every meal. This may be due to a history of reflux esophagitis, an inflammation of the esophageal mucosa caused by constant reflux of gastric juice.
The causes of heartburn also include:
- increased acidity against the background of gastrointestinal pathologies (gastritis or peptic ulcer);
- overeating;
- obesity;
- constant consumption of junk food (fatty, smoked, fried, spicy);
- hiatal hernia;
- taking certain medications (antidepressants, antispasmodics, oral contraceptives);
- bad habits;
- wearing clothes that squeeze the stomach;
- pregnancy (mechanical heartburn).
Frequent heartburn is a sign of what?
If the symptom bothers the patient constantly, it is imperative to contact a gastroenterologist. This phenomenon may indicate a violation of the functionalityorgans of the gastrointestinal tract. Most often, these patients are diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease. In the absence of adequate therapy, such an ailment becomes chronic and can provoke malignant degeneration of tissues.
Peptic ulcer, pancreatitis, cholecystitis - diseases in the presence of which a person can be plagued by burning pain behind the sternum. Frequent heartburn is a sign of what and how to get rid of discomfort - these are common questions that can be heard from patients of a general practitioner and gastroenterologist. It should be understood that in order 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, a change in the level of the hormone progesterone can provoke a burning sensation. Heartburn attacks that occur during pregnancy should not frighten a woman. This is a standard phenomenon that is not associated with any diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. If a similar condition was observed before conception, it should be reporteddoctor and get tested.
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 lying down.
Usually, discomfort occurs half an hour after eating. They are caused by food with pronounced taste characteristics. Heartburn in the stomach can also appear after drinking coffee, strong tea, alcohol. Burning contributes to overeating and drinking large amounts of fluid during or after a meal.
What to do for heartburn?
Before you start treating a pathological phenomenon, you should find out its etiology. An accurate diagnosis can only be made by a specialist after the patient has been diagnosed. There are various methods of dealing with the problem. Most often, defoamers, antacids, enveloping medicines are taken at home for heartburn. You can also use folk remedies.
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 left untreated, the effects of heartburn can be highly undesirable. The constant reflux of acid into the esophagus provokes the appearance of erosions and ulcers on the mucous surface. Over time, such formations begin to scar, which leads to narrowingesophagus, and the patient feels difficulty in swallowing food. Pathology is eliminated with the help of surgical intervention.
Does baking soda help?
Water with soda is one of the many home remedies to eliminate the unpleasant symptoms of heartburn. Indeed, the substance can quickly stop the pain. An aqueous solution of sodium bicarbonate is able to neutralize the increased acidity of 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 s alt and carbon dioxide. However, not everyone knows that such a method can harm the body.
Carbon dioxide irritates the gastric mucosa, which causes an increased release of hydrochloric acid. That is, sodium bicarbonate can bring only temporary relief, followed by a significant deterioration in the condition. Signs of heartburn in this case will appear more pronounced. Therefore, it is worth using soda only as a last resort, when there are no other, more gentle ways at hand.
Medicines for heartburn
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 pain, but do not affect the true cause of heartburn. Antacids are available in the form of tablets, powders and oral suspensions.
If after eating there is heartburn and belching, you should take drugs from thispharmacological group. Absorbable antacids have a quick effect: Rennie, Vikalin, calcium carbonate (chalk). They act like soda and have only a short-term effect.
Antacids that are not absorbed into the systemic circulation will help to neutralize and adsorb hydrochloric acid without side effects. These drugs include "Phosphalugel", "Almagel", "Simethicone", "Relzer", "Gastratsid", "Maalox". They have a prolonged therapeutic effect and are excreted from the body naturally.
Decrease the production of hydrochloric acid antisecretory drugs. They can only be prescribed by a specialist if the diet and treatment with antacids have not brought relief to the patient. With long-term and regular use, such drugs can prevent relapses. The most affordable remedy is Omeprazole, a proton pump blocker. A similar effect is exerted by "Omez", "Ultop", "Losek". A remedy such as Emanera will help to cope with esophagitis, which causes heartburn.
What drugs are allowed during pregnancy?
You can also get rid of the unpleasant sour taste in the mouth of a future mother with the help of some medications. One of the safest drugs are antacids, which are not absorbed into the blood. The enveloping effect has "Gaviscon" in the form of a suspension. The product has been clinically tested and can be used during pregnancy.
Heartburn that occurs after eating can significantlyworsen the well-being of the expectant mother. Rennie lozenges will help eliminate pain within 5 minutes after ingestion. The presence of calcium and magnesium carbonates in the composition has a positive effect on increased acidity. However, despite the high safety, according to the instructions, the pills can only be taken from the second trimester of pregnancy.
Folk methods
Many people who suffer from frequent bouts of heartburn use home remedies 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 you suffer from 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 meals. It is recommended to drink at least half a glass of potato "medicine" at a time. You can eat 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 in order to take it on an empty stomach in the morning.
Cope with bouts of burning and pain in the esophagus infusions of various medicinal herbs. Chamomile has a pronounced therapeutic effect,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 2 tbsp. spoon three times a day.
Chalk for heartburn
High acidity, which causes unpleasant signs of heartburn, can be temporarily eliminated with ordinary chalk. It is crushed into powder, calcined in a heated frying pan and cooled. After that, the powder must be ground again with a coffee grinder and poured into a dry, clean glass container. To avoid discomfort in the epigastric region after eating, you must take the powder one hour before meals 3 times a day.
How to avoid heartburn?
If you follow some recommendations, it is quite possible to prevent another bout of burning behind the sternum. First of all, patients who are predisposed to a pathological phenomenon should change their diet. If you eat in small portions, the load on the digestive tract will significantly decrease, the production of hydrochloric acid will decrease.
Dietary nutrition is the foundation of any heartburn treatment. Refusing smoked, fried, spicy, spicy and s alty, you can not be afraid of a burning sensation in the esophagus. If the patient has noticed that heartburn occurs 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 a meal, you should move, and not take a horizontal position.
Treat heartburn inchildren
Pathologies of the digestive system are observed not only in adults, but also in young patients. Often children complain of a burning sensation in the upper abdomen. A similar situation is typical mainly for teenagers aged 13-15. 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, disorders of the digestive tract (flatulence, constipation). There is heartburn, bloating, belching, pain in the abdomen and with malnutrition.
You can reduce hyperacidity in children with the help of medicines from the antacid group. The attending physician should prescribe a specific drug and its dosage. 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 use various cereals (buckwheat and oatmeal are especially useful), fresh vegetables, fruits, still water, lean meat, dairy products.
