Heartburn is a condition in which fluid from the stomach enters the esophagus (reflux). This fluid can cause inflammation and damage to the lining of the esophagus, although there are no visible signs of inflammation in most patients. It usually contains acids and pepsin, which are produced in the stomach, and may also contain bile, which enters it from the duodenum. The acid is considered to be the most harmful ingredient. Bile and pepsin can also damage the esophagus, but their role in causing inflammation and damage to the esophagus is not as clear as the acid's.
What causes heartburn?
There are quite a few different factors that cause heartburn, ranging from hiatal hernia to abnormally high acid production in the stomach. Let's dwell on the most common reasons.
1. Abnormalities in the lower esophageal sphincter.
Disorders vary, but all impair the ability of the sphincter to contract and prevent backflow of fluid from the stomach.
2. Hiatus hernia.
If present, a small partThe stomach, which is attached to the esophagus, is pushed up through the diaphragm. Thus, the barrier effect is reduced, and fluid from the stomach can easily enter the esophagus.3. Contractions of the esophagus. In the prevention of heartburn, swallowing plays an important role, which causes ring waves of contraction of the muscles of the esophagus, narrowing the lumen of its internal cavity. These contractions are called peristalsis. They push food and saliva into the stomach. However, with problems with peristalsis, acid that has entered the esophagus does not return to the stomach. Pay special attention to the fact that smoking also significantly reduces the contraction of the esophagus. This effect lasts for at least 6 hours after the last cigarette.
4. Medicines. Some medications can cause or worsen heartburn. These are anticholinergics, antihypertensives, bronchodilators, sedatives, and tricyclic antidepressants.5. Pregnancy. Heartburn can be a serious problem during pregnancy. A growing fetus increases abdominal pressure, which causes fluid to reflux from the stomach.
Heartburn treatment and diet
If you are one of the millions of people who suffer from chronic heartburn, you certainly need to find the right treatment for it. This could be a lifestyle change, medication, or surgery.
Lifestyle
Doctors advise those with heartburn to start treatment with lifestyle changes. This is because approximately 94% of patients can associate her attacks withspecific products. It is important that everyone listens to their body, especially if they have heartburn. Diet tends to help most of the time.
Medication treatment
- Histamine receptor antagonists are used to treat conditions where the stomach produces too much hydrochloric acid (drugs "Famotidine", "Ranisan", "Kvamatel" suppress its production, due to which heartburn disappears).
- Treatment with antacids, which neutralize the acid in the stomach upon contact. The most popular drugs are Rennie, Phosphalugel, Topalkan, Maalox, Almagel, etc.
- Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are a group of prescription drugs that interfere with the secretion of acid in the stomach and intestines. Doctors prescribe PPIs for people with heartburn, stomach or intestinal ulcers, or excess stomach acid (Omez, Omeprazole, Pariet).
- Stimulant agents are used in patients with slow gastric emptying. They (drugs "Reglan", "Domstal", "Metoclopramide", "Gastrosil") accelerate digestion, which prevents acid retention in the stomach, as a result - heartburn decreases or disappears.
Treatment with surgery
- Fundoplication is a standard method of surgical treatment of heartburn, in which the fundus of the stomach is wrappedaround the esophagus and form a kind of cuff.
