What are the causes and symptoms of heartburn?
Description of the disease
Content:
- Heartburn Causes
- Heartburn Triggers
- Heartburn after every meal
- Heartburn and stomach pain
- Feeling of heartburn in the throat
- How to get rid of heartburn?
- What to do with severe heartburn?
- Heartburn diet
- Heartburn Tips
Heartburn is a feeling of discomfort or a feeling of heat, a burning sensation behind the breastbone, extending upward from the epigastric (epigastric) region along the esophagus. Heartburn occurs periodically, mainly an hour after eating, especially if the food was plentiful and spicy. Less commonly, it occurs during exercise, when the body is tilted or in a horizontal position.
Usually, to relieve (stop) heartburn, it is enough to drink water, you can stop heartburn by taking antacids (substances that neutralize the action of acid). However, bouts of heartburn can recur quite often and disrupt a normal lifestyle.
Heartburn, which bothers a person more than three times a week, significantly impairs the quality of life. Although there is some relationship between the periods of heartburn, the duration of esophageal clearance and the presence or absence of damage to the esophageal mucosa, it is not always clear enough. Some patients with severe esophagitis (inflammation of the lining of the esophagus) do not complain of heartburn.
Heartburn can accompany gastritis with high acidity, gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer, cholecystitis, toxicosis of pregnant women, occurs with diaphragmatic hernia, intolerance to certain food substances. If heartburn is combined with belching (especially acidic), then this may be a sign of gastritis or stomach ulcer. If the pain gets worse while lying down, the problem is probably in the esophagus.
Heartburn Causes
The causes of heartburn are increased acidity of the stomach, less often - the special sensitivity of the mucous membrane of the esophagus and stomach with low acidity. Heartburn is often accompanied by stomach diseases, but it can also occur with neuropsychiatric disorders after eating.
Unhealthy diets and unhealthy lifestyles exacerbate heartburn and are among the most common causes.
- Smoking, alcohol, carbonated drinks, coffee and hot spices in large quantities irritate the stomach lining, which leads to an increase in acid and relaxation of the stomach valve.
- Heartburn is provoked by the use of large quantities of citrus fruits, tomatoes, various pickles, fresh bread, pies and fried foods.
- Overeating leads to distension of the stomach and provokes copious secretion of acid.
- Taking drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, ortofen and some others provokes an increase in acid production in the stomach and the reflux of acidic contents into the esophagus.
- Wearing tight belts, lifting weights, pregnancy, and being overweight all contribute to an increase in intra-abdominal pressure, which leads to heartburn.
- Sleep after eating can cause heartburn.
- Stress, neuroses, especially those accompanied by anxiety, are also one of the reasons.
Heartburn Triggers
Medicines to lower blood pressure and relax smooth muscles.
Heartburn after every meal
Regular post-meal heartburn should not be considered a problem in itself. This unpleasant symptom mainly indicates diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
A list of some diseases and conditions that cause heartburn after each meal:
- Peptic ulcer or duodenal ulcer;
- Hernia of the alimentary opening of the diaphragm, in which part of the stomach, and in some cases the intestinal loops, are displaced into the chest cavity through the alimentary opening in the lower part of the esophagus. With insufficient work of the locking mechanisms, the main concomitant symptom of this disorder is regular heartburn after eating;
- Gastritis with hypersecretion, also accompanied by excruciating and persistent heartburn after eating due to the penetration of the acidic contents of the stomach into the esophagus;
- Duodenitis - inflammation of the duodenum;
- Inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis);
- Obesity - excess fat in the abdominal cavity creates significant pressure inside the stomach, as a result of which its contents enter the esophagus;
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), in which the lower esophageal sphincter is disrupted and the contents of the stomach are regularly thrown into the esophagus;
- The consequences of removing the gallbladder, part of the duodenum or stomach during the surgical treatment of peptic ulcer and gastric cancer, also cause the flow of juice containing liver and pancreatic enzymes into the esophagus;
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Pregnancy, as well as obesity, leads to an increase in intragastric pressure. In addition, a change in hormonal balance can also affect the adequate functioning of the lower esophageal sphincter and the gastrointestinal tract as a whole;
- Angina is accompanied by a specific pain that can be confused with heartburn.
Regular heartburn after eating is a serious reason for consulting a gastroenterologist. Self-medication, in this case, is not permissible, as it can lead to dire consequences.
Heartburn and stomach pain
Almost all of the above conditions or diseases, with slight differences, can cause heartburn and stomach pain, let's consider them in more detail:
- chronic hyperacid gastritis is always accompanied by persistent heartburn, which appears as a result of the reflux of gastric juice containing acid into the esophagus, irritating and inflammation of its mucous membrane. In some cases, heartburn can be the equivalent of pain that occurs one and a half to two hours after eating;
- duodenitis - pains are felt constantly, but especially intensified after eating with "errors" in the diet, heartburn is their faithful companion. However, the pain sensations gradually decrease, while heartburn and bloating remain and, of course, negatively affect the quality of life;
- chronic cholecystitis is characterized by a combination of heartburn and pain in the upper right stomach. As a rule, they occur after eating fatty foods or shaking while driving;
- peptic ulcer. Heartburn and stomach pain may indicate this condition as well;
- hernia of the food opening of the diaphragm. In this case, pain appears when a person takes a horizontal position or when bending over. It is localized in the stomach and can be given to the region of the heart or to the back and is accompanied by heartburn, but the pain disappears as soon as the person takes an upright position;
- GERD is also associated with upper stomach pain and heartburn;
- pregnancy. A companion of this condition can be gastritis with high acidity, accompanied by all the characteristic symptoms;
- digestive disorders. Most often, unreasonable stomach pains, accompanied by heartburn, belching, and sometimes nausea, are the lot of young people. They can be caused by a violation of the contraction of the walls of the gallbladder, intestines or stomach, as well as the production of excess acid.
Feeling of heartburn in the throat
This phenomenon occurs due to the ingress of gastric juices on the mucous membrane of the esophagus with disorders of the motility of the duodenum, stomach or esophagus, when its lower sphincter does not work adequately.
The pH of the walls of the esophagus is at a neutral level, and the acid, which contains gastric juice, irritates and burns the lining of the esophagus.
The acid provokes inflammation that can lead to erosions and ulcers of the esophagus. The result can be bleeding, and in some severe cases, even tears in the walls of the esophagus, which pose a threat to life.
Scarring of ulcers leads to narrowing of the esophagus, in which a person feels an impassable lump in the throat and has difficulty swallowing food. This condition not only brings discomfort to life, but can also become an indication for complex surgery and increases the risk of developing esophageal cancer.
The sensation of heartburn in the throat can also be experienced by perfectly healthy people with various disorders in the diet. However, attacks, in such cases, are extremely rare.
Pregnant women, as mentioned above, also very often suffer from heartburn. Heartburn attacks are characteristic of the second half of pregnancy, when already a large fetus presses on the esophageal sphincter, opening it slightly.
Learn more about heartburn during pregnancy
How to get rid of heartburn?
The recipes below can be used to alleviate heartburn "attacks", or used as an adjunct in the treatment of digestive disorders associated with heartburn. But they cannot replace the main treatment prescribed by a specialist.
- Almond. As strange as it sounds, almonds are able to neutralize stomach acid. Chewing this nut thoroughly is a very effective remedy for heartburn. Almonds need to be doused with boiling water so that the skin is easier to remove and chew. A little patience - and heartburn "as if by hand" [source]. It is recommended to soak almonds for 12 hours in water before drinking.
- Bananas. Eating a banana can actually help cure heartburn as much as almonds can. Banana contains natural anti-acids.
- Ginger. Ginger can relieve nausea as well as reduce heartburn. You can add grated ginger to your prepared meals, or you can make ginger tea
- Chewing gum. Chewing gum for half an hour after meals can also help reduce heartburn, according to a 2014 study. A gum that contains bicarbonate has proven to be particularly effective.
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Soda. Baking soda can help you to neutralize hydrochloric acid in your stomach and relieve symptoms of heartburn (1/2 teaspoon (flat) in a glass of water). It is very important to drink the baking soda slowly, in small sips! If you drink it quickly, then the situation will worsen (new release of hydrochloric acid from the stomach).
Soda is not safe, only use it in an emergency! There is an effect after using soda, since the acidity, indeed, decreases sharply. But with its excess intake into the body, in response, the stomach begins to produce hydrochloric acid with double aggression, and the attack of heartburn intensifies.
Moreover, soda should not be taken often, an excess of soda in the body leads to potassium deficiency (this will immediately affect the heart), convulsions and exacerbation of kidney disease are possible. Nausea, gas, diarrhea, and pain in the intestines are also possible as side effects.
- Flax-seed. Pour a teaspoon of seed with half a glass of boiling water. It is more convenient to cook in the evening so that the infusion is ready in the morning. Before use, bring the volume of the resulting drink to a full glass and drink on an empty stomach for at least 14 days. A simpler recipe can be used. Grind flax seeds and, as soon as heartburn begins, pour a teaspoon of the powder with a glass of warm water and drink in small sips.
- Chaga mushroom. Another excellent adjuvant in the treatment of diseases of the digestive tract is a birch mushroom or chaga (the drug befungin is produced on the basis of chaga). How to grow chaga mushroom?
What to do with severe heartburn?
Home remedies are definitely a good thing. But what to do when severe heartburn "attacks" at the very moment when there is not enough time to prepare infusions and decoctions, and you will not be able to see a doctor immediately, but you need relief right now?
Pharmacy preparations called antacids will come to the rescue:
- Rennie,
- Phosphalugel,
- Almagel,
- Gaviscon,
- Maalox and other drugs.
But, one should not forget about their side effects: constipation, diarrhea and other unpleasant consequences. They also flush calcium out of the body.
Therefore, we strongly recommend not to self-medicate frequent heartburn. It is better to see a doctor, undergo a detailed examination and carry out the correct treatment.
Heartburn diet
Steamed dishes, as well as baked and boiled vegetables are much healthier:
- carrot,
- potatoes,
- peas,
- lentils.
It is necessary to include in the menu products containing complex carbohydrates:
- durum wheat pasta;
- bran or corn bread,
- brown rice.
Your “correct” diet will be incomplete without:
- low-fat cheeses, sour cream and cottage cheese;
- fish;
- lean meat;
- hard-boiled or soft-boiled eggs;
- various cereals: semolina, buckwheat, oatmeal;
- apples and bananas;
- non-carbonated mineral water (preferably alkaline), compote from non-acidic berries and fruits, green tea.
What you have to donate:
- fried, salty, spicy and fatty, no "lard with streaks" or pork pork;
- fatty sour cream, cottage cheese, kefir;
- oranges, limes and lemons. They contain an acid that can significantly increase the acidity of the stomach;
- baked goods and confectionery;
- chocolate;
- hot spices and seasonings;
- scrambled eggs and fried omelet;
- tomato paste;
- strong coffee and tea;
- alcohol;
- carbonated drinks.
But diet is half the battle. Overeating can be a cause of heartburn. Food must be consumed correctly:
- Eat small meals, but often, 5-6 times throughout the day.
- The process itself should be unhurried, allowing you to thoroughly chew food.
- Last meal no later than 19.00.
- For at least 40 minutes after eating, you should not take a horizontal position.
- It is necessary to drink about 2 liters of water per day, evenly distributing this amount.
Heartburn Tips
How to avoid heartburn? Here are some tips:
- while eating, drink mineral water without gas, it will wash the acid from the walls of the esophagus;
- try to eat more often, but in small portions;
- limit yourself to the above foods that provoke heartburn;
- follow the rules for taking medications;
- if you feel the need to lie down after eating, then raise the headboard by 10-15 cm;
- in neurotic states, a psychologist or psychotherapist will help;
- if you have persistent heartburn, you need to see a doctor.
Be attentive to your health. Listen to yourself. After all, such a symptom as heartburn can be a signal of dangerous diseases.
The author of the article: Gorshenina Elena Ivanovna | Gastroenterologist
Education: Diploma in the specialty "General Medicine" received at the Russian State Medical University named after N. I. Pirogova (2005). Postgraduate studies in the specialty "Gastroenterology" - educational and scientific medical center.
