Heartburn worries every day: causes, treatment. Why heartburn starts and how to deal with it? Often heartburn causes and treatment

- this is a feeling of discomfort and burning in the upper abdomen (pit of the stomach) and in the chest (more precisely, behind the sternum - along the esophagus). Heartburn is caused by acidic stomach contents entering the esophagus. For the stomach, an acidic environment is normal, it is a necessary component of the digestive process. But the esophagus is intended only for transporting food, and the ingress of acid from the stomach into it causes irritation of the mucous membrane.

Symptoms associated with heartburn

Heartburn is often accompanied by bloating (). There may be a feeling.
Heartburn appears, as a rule, after eating and can last for a considerable time - up to 2 hours or longer. Lying down and bending over can trigger or exacerbate heartburn.
In some cases, patients complain that heartburn makes swallowing difficult and interferes with sleep. In an asthmatic, heartburn can cause wheezing, coughing, and difficulty breathing.
Sometimes for heartburn, you can take a burning sensation in the chest caused by problems of the cardiovascular system (this can manifest itself). However, a burning sensation in the chest with angina pectoris usually occurs after exercise or stress and is not associated with food intake. In the case of angina pectoris, the burning sensation will pass if you take nitroglycerin, but nitroglycerin does not work on heartburn. If you managed to defeat heartburn with nitroglycerin, contact a cardiologist - you need to do an ECG and check the condition of the heart.

Heartburn can occur even in a healthy person. As a direct causes of heartburn may perform:

• binge eating. With an excessive amount of food eaten, the stomach stretches, and the air that was in the lumen of the stomach enters the esophagus. Together with air, drops of gastric contents can also enter the esophagus;
• too many citrus fruits eaten. Citrus juice further increases the acidity in the stomach, which leads to irritation of the mucous membrane;
• spices and spices. The gastric mucosa is adapted to dishes of a certain spiciness. Eating unexpectedly spicy foods (something exotic) is very likely to give you heartburn;
• coffee if you drink too much or make it too strong;
• carbonated drinks or foods that cause increased gas production. The gases accumulated in the stomach will exit through the esophagus (belching), and at the same time drops of the contents of the stomach will cause irritation of the mucous membrane;
• aerophagy, i.e. swallowed air. You can swallow air, for example, if you talk while eating;
• some medicines;
• stress;
• lifting weights and bending over immediately after eating, which increase intra-abdominal pressure.

Row factors favor the occurrence of heartburn. This:

• smoking. Tobacco smoke provokes the release of excess gastric juice, irritating the gastric mucosa;
• overweight (). Obesity increases intra-abdominal pressure;
• . In this case, intra-abdominal pressure rises due to the enlarged uterus;
• too tight clothing, squeezing the abdominal cavity.

Intermittent heartburn is symptom of many diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, such as:

• hiatal hernia;
• chronic with increased secretion;
• stomach and duodenum;
• chronic;
• chronic;
• biliary dyskinesia;
• insufficiency of the esophageal sphincter;
• cancer of the stomach or pancreas.

Heartburn: what to do?

With an attack of heartburn, doctors prescribe adsorbents, enveloping agents, drugs that reduce acidity. Baking soda is often used as a home remedy, but it is undesirable to use it as a regular remedy. Baking soda, although it neutralizes the acid, causes an increase in carbon dioxide when it enters the stomach, which creates increased pressure inside the stomach and can cause a second bout of heartburn.

If heartburn occurs from time to time, the presence of some chronic disease should be assumed. In this case, it is necessary to consult a gastroenterologist and undergo an examination.

Heartburn prevention

Whatever the cause of heartburn, there are measures that will definitely benefit you:

• eat right. Minimize fatty, spicy and salty foods. Try to eat less chocolate, coffee, alcohol, carbonated drinks. Avoid large meals. Food should be chewed thoroughly;
• do not go to bed immediately after eating, do not lift weights or bend over;
• wear clothes that do not compress the abdominal cavity;
• watch your weight;
• stop smoking.

Consider the causes of heartburn after eating, as well as how to stop this condition. Experts noted a certain relationship between periodic burning in the epigastrium and damage to the esophageal mucosa, the duration of food clearance. Often burning accompanies such diseases of the gastrointestinal tract as gastritis (with increased acidity), cholecystitis, duodenal ulcer, peptic ulcer, diaphragmatic hernia.

Less often, a burning sensation behind the sternum appears when the body is tilted, physical exertion, and sometimes in the prone position. She also accompanies toxicosis of pregnant women.

To stop heartburn, you can drink water, take antacids (drugs that neutralize the action of acid). There is also constant heartburn, in which the quality of life deteriorates significantly.

Symptoms of heartburn and signs of pathologies

The most common symptoms of heartburn are:

• a burning sensation inside the abdominal cavity (its upper part);
• belching;
• increased burning sensation in the supine position;
• bitter, sour taste in the mouth.

Many diseases provoke heartburn. In addition to this symptom, the patient also feels a number of other signs of pathologies of the digestive tract:

• Chronic hyperacid gastritis. Burning is accompanied by pain that occurs some time after eating (1.5-2 hours).
• Chronic cholecystitis accompanied by burning, pain at the top of the stomach (right). Strengthening of the mentioned symptoms is recorded after eating fatty foods, physical activity (cycling), driving a car.
• Duodenitis characterized by constant pain, aggravated after a deviation from the diet, eating. Also worried about bloating.
• GERD accompanies pain in the upper abdomen.
• Ulcer manifested by severe pain in the abdomen.
• Digestive disorder. Manifested by pain in the stomach, nausea, belching.
• Hernia of the food opening of the diaphragm. With it, the patient feels pain in the stomach when bending over. There is a spread of pain to the back, the region of the heart.

Causes of heartburn: irritation of the mucosa and disease

Consider in more detail the question: what causes heartburn. This unpleasant symptom occurs due to the reflux of the contents of the duodenum into the esophagus. The mucous membrane of the esophagus is irritated by a mass with bile, pancreatic enzymes.

More often, burning behind the sternum provokes the action of acidic gastric juice on the mucosa of the esophagus. The cause of reflux is incomplete closure of the sphincter.

The most common causes of burning in the epigastric region are:

1. chronic gastritis, which is accompanied by increased secretion. A burning sensation occurs due to the release of a large amount of hydrochloric acid.
2. Hernia of the esophageal opening of the diaphragm. With the expansion of the esophageal opening, the esophagus (its lower section), the section of the stomach adjacent to the esophagus, is displaced into the chest cavity.
3. Achilia, achlorhydria. Such diseases are characterized by the absence of pepsin, hydrochloric acid in gastric juice. Throwing into the esophagus of butyric, lactic acid, formed during the fermentation of food.
4. Ulcer of duodenum, stomach. The pressure in the stomach increases due to its strong distension.
5. Disease of the operated stomach. Burning is provoked by digestive juice with bile, pancreatic enzymes.
6. Taking medication. An unpleasant symptom can be triggered by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, acetylsalicylic acid.
7. Food. Severe overeating is sometimes the cause of a burning sensation behind the breast. This feeling also appears after taking certain foods (spicy, fatty foods, fresh pastries, alcohol, sour apples, coffee, sweets, black tea, tomatoes, lemons, plums, tomato sauces, dairy products).
8. Bad habits(tobacco smoking, alcohol abuse).
9. Pregnancy.
10. Wearing too tight clothes.
11. Frequent stress.

Heartburn occurs after each meal if the following diseases develop:

• stomach ulcer;
• duodenitis;
• chronic gastritis;
• angina;
• obesity;
• cholecystitis;
• gastroesophageal reflux disease.

If the burning sensation becomes regular, consultation with a gastroenterologist is necessary. Self-medication is dangerous for the development of complications (erosion, ulcers, rupture of the walls of the esophagus, bleeding).

Heartburn treatment: drugs, folk remedies, diet

Heartburn can be treated in a variety of ways. Usually, an integrated approach is required to achieve the desired effect. It is best to combine the following therapies:

• taking medication;
• adherence to a special diet;
• folk remedies.

Pills and medicines for heartburn

If the burning sensation is not caused by a specific disease, is periodic, and not constant, you can use drugs for heartburn that show certain effects.

Antacids help to create a protective film on the mucosa of the esophagus. Heartburn pills such as Rennie, Gastal are considered effective. The main component is calcium carbonate. Antacids tend to absorb other medications, so do not take any medications with them.

Neutralize the action of gastric juice, reduce its acidity will help Maalox, Phosphalugel, Rennie, Gastal. You can reduce the production of gastric juice with the help of such medicines: Omeprazole, Omez, Ranitidine.

How to get rid of heartburn in folk ways

You can also use a variety of folk remedies for heartburn as an adjunct to drug therapy. It is important to remember that no remedy for heartburn at home can replace the treatment prescribed by a specialist.

How can you get rid of heartburn at home? It is very important to eat right, take decoctions of medicinal herbs. The most popular infusions for burning in the esophagus are the following:

• Camomile tea.
• Infusion of angelica (it is prepared from powdered seeds, leaves, roots).
• Flaxseed infusion.
• Oat steam
• Potato juice.
• Infusion of anise seeds, dried fennel, dill.
• Chaga (birch mushroom).

Treatment of heartburn with folk remedies can alleviate an unpleasant condition, eliminate burning sensation in the esophagus, throat. Many people have come up with recipes, but not all are effective.

Most often, milk is used, which is able to neutralize hydrochloric acid. Relief after taking this remedy comes, but does not last long. Milk is able to envelop the gastric mucosa for a short time. After that, gastric juice is produced and the patient's health only gets worse.

Another effective remedy is baking soda for heartburn. This remedy is used very often when an unpleasant symptom appears. Burning soda removes, but also not for long. Also, doctors point out the harm from the regular use of this substance. Soda contributes to the violation of the water-salt balance. Once in the stomach, it provokes the creation of carbon dioxide in large volumes. Gas stretches the stomach, increasing the pressure inside it, provoking a new attack.

Potatoes are in every home, so they learned to use them to eliminate burning sensations inside the esophagus. It is enough to chew a piece of raw vegetable or drink freshly squeezed juice.

Folk remedies for heartburn, of course, help, but before using them on yourself, you should consult with specialists. After all, some means can worsen the condition, harm the body even more. For example, some experts advise drinking a decoction of mint. And this is strictly prohibited in this pathology. Mint relaxes the sphincter, hydrochloric acid gains access to the esophagus.

Features of nutrition for heartburn

A therapeutic diet for heartburn is considered one of the key points in the complex therapy of this unpleasant condition. You need to observe it constantly, and not a couple of days or a week or two. There is only a difference in the menu depending on the stage of the disease that provokes a burning sensation in the esophagus (exacerbation, remission). In addition to the restriction in products, you must follow the most important rules of nutrition.

They are represented by:

1. Balanced nutrition (the body should receive 80-100 g of proteins, 400-450 g of carbohydrates, 90 g of fat).
2. Plentiful drink (per day you need to drink 1-1.5 liters of water).
3. Limiting the amount of salt consumed to 10 g / day.
4. Divided food (recommended to eat 6 times a day).
5. The stomach will be comfortable processing food.
6. Refusal of fried, fatty, spicy foods.
7. Eat vegetables, fruits boiled, baked.
8. Compliance with the diet for 2-6 months.

The following foods should be excluded from the diet:

• citrus fruits (grapefruit, orange, lime, lemon);
• juices (cranberry, citrus, tomato);
• vegetables (tomato, raw onion, fried potatoes);
• dairy products (fatty sour cream, cottage cheese, ice cream, fatty cheese);
• meat (fried, fried minced meat dishes);
• first courses (borscht, cabbage broth, cabbage soup, fish, mushroom broth);
• seasonings (melissa, vinegar, mint, pickles, pepper);
• main courses (with cheese, sauce, roasted);
• drinks (coffee, soda, alcohol, tea);
• sweets (chocolate, cream cakes).

The list of allowed products is very large:

• lean meat (beef, skinless chicken, rabbit);
• eggs;
• dairy products (processed cheese, low-fat cheeses, skim milk, sour cream);
• lean fish (preference is given to river);
• first courses (mashed soups, low-fat soups);
• second courses (pasta, cereals, mashed potatoes);
• cereals (seeds, rice, white bread, corn);
• drinks (apple juice, water, mineral water without gas);
• sweets (jelly, jelly, dry cookies, marmalade, sweet crackers, baked vegetables, fat-free pastries).

Heartburn during pregnancy

Pregnancy is a special state of the female body. The period of gestation is accompanied not only by pleasant sensations, but also by toxicosis. Also, pregnant women often suffer from heartburn.

Why does heartburn occur in pregnant women

The main reason for the appearance of this unpleasant symptom is a change in the hormonal level of the expectant mother (the amount of progesterone is growing). It is not necessary to endure it, it is harmful to the body of the pregnant woman, as well as to the fetus itself.

In the early stages

Heartburn is very rare during early pregnancy. It is provoked by toxicosis, hormonal changes. An increase in progesterone levels helps to relax all the muscles in the body. In addition to reducing the tone of the uterus, there is a decrease in the tone of the sphincter that separates the stomach and esophagus. After throwing the contents of the stomach into the esophagus, heartburn occurs in pregnant women.

At a later date

After the toxicosis has passed, the burning sensation in the esophagus area also disappears. But heartburn during pregnancy in the later stages appears again. What caused such a reaction of the body? The causes of discomfort are:

1. Increase in the size of the uterus. With the growth of the fetus, the uterus begins to put pressure on neighboring organs (the stomach is one of them). Throwing food, gastric juice, hydrochloric acid back into the stomach occurs after this digestive organ acquires a horizontal position. This is how the burning begins. An eructation may appear. In this case, the stove also starts the throat.
2. Increased acidity of gastric juice. This is provoked by hormonal changes in the body of the expectant mother.
3. Increase in intra-abdominal pressure. The sphincter is no longer able to completely block the passage from the stomach to the esophagus.
4. Breech presentation of the fetus.
5. Large fruit.
6. Multiple pregnancy.

What can pregnant women for heartburn

You can get rid of heartburn during pregnancy with medication, taking folk remedies. Of the drugs, pregnant women are prescribed Almagel, Maalox, Gaviscon, Milk of Magnesia, Gelusin.

What can pregnant women do for heartburn when the above remedies do not bring proper relief. In this case, proton pump inhibitors are prescribed. Usually things go back to normal after the baby is born.

What to do with heartburn in a pregnant woman? In addition to taking medication, it is necessary to eliminate all the factors that cause this burning sensation. To do this, follow these rules:

1. Wear loose clothing (especially in the second trimester).
2. Lean less.
3. Reduce pressure on the abdomen. To do this, while sitting, you should lean back on the back of the sofa, chair, chair.
4. Sleep on your side. A pillow should be placed under the shoulders, head, so that this part of the body is higher than the stomach.
5. It is not recommended to lie down to rest after eating.
6. Monitor nutrition (you need to avoid overeating, eat 3 hours before bedtime, do not eat sour, very sweet, salty, spicy).

What foods will help during pregnancy

In addition to taking medication, burning in the esophagus during pregnancy will help remove proper nutrition. There is a whole list of products that are considered beneficial for women in such a delicate position.

To help reduce stinging:

• raw carrots;
• oatmeal;
• carrot juice;
• seeds, nuts;
• dried, baked fruits;
• boiled beets;
• prunes.

During pregnancy, you can also use folk remedies for heartburn. They are presented:

• eggshell, ground into powder;
• potato juice;
• black bread (crust);
• warm milk;
• potato broth;
• infusion of herbs (mint, heather, centaury);
• ginger, chamomile tea;
• pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds (raw);
• Activated carbon;
• mineral water.

What to drink for heartburn? The following drinks can help soothe an irritated esophagus:

• mineral water (still);
• ordinary water (drinking);
• milk (warm);
• tea (ginger, chamomile);
• herbal infusion.

When eliminating this unpleasant sensation during pregnancy, it is imperative to consult a specialist so as not to harm the unborn baby. The medicine for heartburn should be prescribed by the attending physician.

Probably, any adult person at least once in his life has experienced an unpleasant physical sensation - heartburn. It is a kind of burning sensation that spreads from the epigastric (epigastric) zone up behind the sternum. Its duration varies from a few seconds to several hours.

The occurrence of heartburn is due to irritation of the esophageal nerve fibers by gastric contents, which are saturated with active gastric enzymes, aggressive hydrochloric acid or bile components. This symptom is not transmitted from one person to another.

Accompanying symptoms of heartburn

In some cases, heartburn is accompanied by symptoms such as nausea and vomiting.

Heartburn is often accompanied by other similar symptoms. These include:

• "air" eructation (involuntary flow of gases from the stomach and / or esophagus into the mouth, associated with a contraction of the diaphragm);
• belching of unchanged food, bitter or sour (regurgitation);
• nausea;
• excessive salivation;
• vomit;
• burning pains radiating from the epigastric zone behind the sternum, to the left side of the chest, neck, interscapular region;
• feeling of "coma in the throat";
• swallowing disorders;
• coughing;
• hoarseness.

Causes of heartburn

Heartburn has several mechanisms of its occurrence. In most patients, heartburn is due to:

• a decrease in the tone of the esophageal sphincters: lower (a muscle structure similar to a valve that delimits the lower esophagus from the stomach) and upper (a valve between the pharynx and esophagus);
• weakening of the evacuating function of the esophagus (it is not able to quickly eliminate the sour or bitter contents of the stomach that have penetrated into it);
• an increase in the acid-forming function of the stomach.

These phenomena are observed in the following diseases:

• (including complicated precancerous disease - Barrett's esophagus);
• esophagitis of various origins (inflammation of the esophagus of infectious, allergic, medicinal, traumatic genesis);
• esophagospasm (spasm of the esophagus);
• hiatal hernia in the diaphragm;
• functional dyspepsia (motor disorders of the stomach);
• and etc.

Heartburn and other symptoms mentioned above are vivid clinical manifestations of these ailments.

In addition, factors that further reduce the tone of weakened esophageal sphincters can contribute to the appearance of heartburn. It is provoked:

• bending over after eating;
• alcohol;
• a hearty meal;
• fatty, sour and spicy dishes;
• physical overstrain (especially the load on the abdominal muscles);
• transition to a supine position after eating;
• some drugs (nitrates, theophylline, etc.);
• tight clothing;
• smoking;
• pregnancy
• stress.

Diagnostic procedures

Of course, you should not rush to the doctor if you experience short-term heartburn after tasting generously peppered dishes of some national cuisines. It disappears without a trace for most people. But 40% of adults experience heartburn at least once a month, and up to 20% suffer from it weekly. In such cases, it is necessary to analyze its relationship with physical activity, medications taken, diet, and smoking. If, after eliminating the provoking factors, it remains, then the urgent help of professionals is needed.

Some are afraid of an unpleasant examination and swallow medicines or banal soda recommended by friends or pharmacists. But such a policy of an ostrich hiding its head in the sand is fraught with aggravation of the existing disease, the development of its formidable complications (bleeding, cancer, narrowing of the esophagus, etc.), the appearance of side effects from the medications taken. And soda at first, in fact, neutralizes aggressive hydrochloric acid and removes heartburn, but then the stomach further enhances the production of this chemical, and heartburn returns again. Therefore, to select the optimal therapeutic measures, doctors insist on a full examination. Necessary diagnostic procedures may include:

• fibroesophagogastroduodenoscopy (visual assessment using an endoscopic apparatus for the type of mucous membrane of the stomach, esophagus and duodenum, the condition of the esophageal valves, etc., in case of suspicion of cancer during the study, tissue samples are taken for examination under a microscope);
• x-ray examination with a barium contrast suspension (assesses the motor function of the esophagus, excludes its narrowing, the presence of hernias, but does not replace the endoscopic procedure);
• intraesophageal pH-metry (with the penetration of acidic contents, the pH drops sharply);
• intraesophageal manometry (the study directly measures the tone of the sphincters).

In most cases, doctors are limited to fibroesophagogastroduodenoscopy.

Treatment

Stopping smoking and drinking alcohol can help reduce the incidence of heartburn.

Almost any treatment for ailments accompanied by heartburn includes a few simple rules regarding changes in diet and daily lifestyle. Therefore, before visiting the doctor, you can already use them. These include:

• giving up alcohol and smoking (deserved smokers should at least reduce the number of cigarettes they smoke);
• weight normalization;
• stop wearing tight corsets, tight belts and tight clothing;
• raising the head of the bed by 10 - 15 cm (if the condition of the spine allows it);
• regular meals with small amounts of food (at least 4 times a day);
• exclusion or significant restriction of all acidic, fatty, spicy foods and fried foods (marinades, smoked meats, citrus fruits, pork, lamb, duck, cream, red fish, garlic, radish, vinegar, horseradish, etc.), carbonated and caffeinated drinks ( mineral waters, sparkling wines, coffee, cocoa, chocolate, etc.);
• the interval between dinner and a night's sleep should be at least 2 - 3 hours;
• the fight against overeating and nighttime snacking;
• a ban on bending over, loading on the abdominal press, lifting weights, squatting and lying immediately after eating and for the next 2 hours;
• half an hour walk after eating.

If heartburn is caused by drugs prescribed by the doctor (aspirin, quinidine, doxycycline, some antidepressants, antispasmodics, cardiac and anti-inflammatory drugs), then you should definitely discuss with him the possibility of replacing or refusing these medications.

The appointment of drugs that eliminate heartburn should be carried out by a specialist, since the choice of the drugs themselves, their dosages, combinations and duration of the course is determined by the specific clinical situation. As a rule, doctors prescribe:

• drugs that suppress gastric acid-forming function:
  • proton pump inhibitors (rabeprazole, pantoprazole, omeprazole, etc.);
  • histamine receptor blockers (famotidine, nizatidine, ranitidine, etc.);
  • M-anticholinergics (methacin, atropine - rarely);
• prokinetics that affect the motility of the esophagus and stomach, the tone of the esophageal sphincters (domperidone, itopride, metoclopramide, etc.);
• drugs with ursodeoxycholic acid that block the harmful effects of bile components (ursofalk, etc.);
• antacids that briefly neutralize the components of acidic gastric contents (rennie, gastal, maalox, phosphalugel, etc. are considered to be means to relieve a symptom, but not a full-fledged treatment).

Sometimes patients need more radical treatment (surgery).

Prevention of heartburn comes down to eliminating the factors that provoke it, eating healthy, avoiding stress, excessive exercise and a healthy lifestyle.

Which doctor to contact

If heartburn occurs, you need to contact a gastroenterologist, undergo EFGDS. A nutritionist will provide additional assistance in treatment. In some cases, you can not do without surgical intervention.

People don’t worry too much when they have heartburn, because it can be endured or eliminated by taking the right pill. Meanwhile, this symptom is very dangerous and may indicate serious diseases. Do not tolerate it - start treatment, but first find out what causes heartburn. Finding the cause is the first step to success.

What causes heartburn

It is known that food from the mouth enters first into the esophagus, then into the stomach. At the border of the two sections there is a sphincter, which prevents the return of food, tightly closing. This is characteristic of a healthy person. Why does heartburn happen? If the sphincter does not work properly, the contents of the stomach and even part of the food fall into the lower esophagus. This organ does not have protection from acidic enzymes, so it becomes irritated and inflamed. At the same time, a person feels a “fire” in the sternum, severe discomfort, pain, and suffers from belching.

Basically, burning occurs some time after eating, as a result of lifting weights. If such discomfort appears about once a month, we are talking about a moderate form - for its prevention, you can change the diet, lifestyle. With an average degree, the symptom occurs once a week, with severe - daily. In both cases, it is recommended to consult a doctor to rule out serious diseases.

Heartburn with gastritis

The disease is characterized by inflammation of the mucous layer of the stomach, malfunctions of this organ, poor digestion of food, loss of strength, pain in the upper abdomen. Heartburn with gastritis is a characteristic, but not an obligatory symptom. A burning sensation occurs when the contents of the stomach are thrown into the esophagus, more often it appears with a disease with high acidity. To eliminate an unpleasant symptom, dieting, taking medications can help.

During pregnancy

Many processes and phenomena that occur in women in position are associated with hormones. Every second pregnant woman is faced with a burning sensation and bitterness in her throat: on average, it appears after the second trimester and persists until the birth of a child. What causes heartburn? One of the factors of nausea and discomfort is overeating, as a result of which intra-abdominal pressure rises, digestion becomes difficult, food is thrown into the esophagus. Causes of heartburn in women:

• enlarged uterus, pressing on neighboring organs;
• relaxed under the influence of the hormone progesterone muscle sphincter.

After a meal

A burning sensation behind the sternum often occurs as a result of an unhealthy lifestyle, an incorrectly selected diet. To prevent the disease, you should give preference to safe dishes: cereals (oatmeal, rice, millet, buckwheat), low-fat cottage cheese, kefir, honey, jelly, marshmallows, zucchini, bananas, beets, carrots. What food can cause heartburn after eating? Discomfort, flatulence appear after use:

• acidic vegetables, fruits (oranges, lemons, tomatoes);
• chocolate, chocolate desserts;
• fatty foods (sausages, lard, cheeses, smoked sausages);
• alcohol;
• soda, coffee, mint tea;
• spicy food (with garlic, spices, onions, horseradish, radish);
• fast food (chips, hot dogs).

Heartburn after every meal - causes

Junk food is not the only factor in the appearance of discomfort. If discomfort, diarrhea, and other disturbances occur regularly after each meal, they may indicate gastrointestinal disease. Why heartburn after eating? The symptom is typical for:

• chronic gastritis with high acidity;
• peptic ulcer;
• inflammation of the gallbladder;
• reflux disease;
• duodenitis;
• hernia of the food opening of the diaphragm;
• obesity;
• complications after gallbladder removal.

After alcohol

Any alcoholic beverages have a negative effect on the human digestive system. If you take them for a long time, all organs become vulnerable: the mucus that protects the stomach ceases to be produced, erosion forms, hydrochloric acid begins to act more aggressively, a person is tormented by a burning sensation in the throat. Heartburn after alcohol - causes: the esophageal sphincter is in a relaxed position, stops contracting and passes gastric juice. Strong consequences appear with the simultaneous use of alcohol with salty, spicy, fatty foods.

On empty stomach

Prolonged, uncontrolled fasting does not benefit the body - the digestive system suffers greatly from this. When the time comes for eating, the digestive tract prepares for the processing of products: they secrete gastric juice, form bile. If the body does not receive food from time to time, burning attacks gradually begin to appear. Without food, the juice breaks down the surrounding tissues, including the esophagus. Heartburn on an empty stomach - causes:

• involvement of the esophagus in the inflammatory process;
• weakening of the lower esophageal sphincter.

In the morning

If bloating, burning pains and other unpleasant signs are rarely disturbing, most likely there is no pathology. If you are worried every day, you should be alert and think about eliminating the causes. Why morning heartburn? Causes:

1. A heavy dinner before bed: the digestive system is less active at night, so the food does not have time to be digested.
2. Gastrointestinal diseases: ulcer, gastritis, esophagitis, exacerbation of pancreatitis.
3. Cancer of the esophagus, stomach.
4. Impaired motor function of the stomach.
5. Early, late pregnancy.
6. Taking medications (hormonal, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, nitrates).
7. Smoking.

At night

The appearance of a symptom in the evening, at night, can be facilitated by many factors. Nighttime heartburn - causes:

• binge eating;
• constant abuse of coffee, alcohol, soda;
• smoking after dinner;
• frequent stress;
• pregnancy;
• spicy, fatty foods;
• taking medications;
• physical activity immediately before meals;
• weak muscles responsible for the movement of food to the esophagus;
• obesity;
• eating large amounts of sweets, such as chocolate;
• adding peppermint to the drink;
• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

After removal of the gallbladder

The operation is carried out in order to improve the quality of life of people, but often its consequences are burning pain in the throat, belching with air. What are the causes of heartburn after gallbladder removal? After the operation, bile begins to enter the small intestine, even if there is no food there. Gradually, it acts on the mucous membrane of the organ, on the sphincter, weakening the muscles. For this reason, the obturator function of the esophageal organ decreases. In addition to bile, the onset of the disease is influenced by the forced intake of anti-inflammatory drugs.

Cause of constant heartburn

If nothing is done, the symptom may become systematic. To eliminate it, you should find out what causes heartburn in a particular person. To do this, you need to undergo an examination. Why is there constant heartburn, belching? Possible factors of its development:

• pregnancy;
• junk food (salty, flour, spicy);
• taking medications that affect the sphincter;
• surgical intervention;
• inflammatory lesions of the gastrointestinal tract, diseases;
• wearing tight clothing;
• the use of certain products;
• overweight;
• Unhealthy Lifestyle.

Heartburn treatment

To relieve heartburn, doctors recommend a new drug Antareit.The drug has a unique combined composition for the Russian market, due to which it acts on the digestive system in a complex way: magaldrate neutralizes the increased acidity of gastric juice, stopping heartburn; has an enveloping effect, eliminating stomach pain; has adsorbing and cytoprotective effects, and simethicone absorbs excess gases, preventing belching and flatulence. The drug is not absorbed in the stomach, which avoids negative side effects and the "rebound syndrome" - increased heartburn after the end of the remedy.

Discuss

Heartburn - causes and treatment of the disease

Almost every person is familiar with such an unpleasant condition as heartburn. Burning in the sternum, in the throat is a typical symptom of this phenomenon. The symptom does not pose a serious threat to life. But it can deliver a lot of discomfort. Not surprisingly, most people try to take any means to get rid of this condition. At the same time, without thinking at all, what causes heartburn.

Causes of heartburn

Unfortunately, this condition often indicates serious pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract. That is why doctors recommend not to fight the symptoms, but to find out what causes heartburn. After all, you can get rid of an unpleasant sensation only by curing the underlying problem.

There are many reasons for this phenomenon. Therefore, without a detailed examination, it is difficult to determine why heartburn occurs and how to treat it. But regardless of the source of this state, its mechanism is the same. The contents of the stomach are thrown into the esophagus.

If this condition occurs infrequently, doctors explain as follows what causes heartburn:

• drinking alcohol, caffeine;
• binge eating;
• excessive addiction to spicy, fatty, rich food;
• obesity;
• rapid absorption of food;
• hypodynamia;
• constipation;
• stress;
• tight clothing, squeezing the intestines.

Some people experience individual reactions to certain foods. Often heartburn occurs after eating black bread, sour fruits, dairy products. As a rule, this state is short-lived.

Heartburn in pregnancy

Expectant mothers often face this phenomenon. It is especially pronounced in the first months of pregnancy. The reason for this condition is hidden in the increase in intra-abdominal pressure as a result of the growth of the uterus. In addition, the amount of progesterone in the woman's body increases, which also provokes an unpleasant phenomenon.

For mothers-to-be who experience heartburn during pregnancy, doctors recommend following a diet that can alleviate this condition. For this, a woman is recommended to exclude from her diet all food that provokes unpleasant symptoms. These are coffee, pickled foods, soda. It is recommended to give up fruits, vegetables, leading to an increase in the acidity of the stomach (tomatoes, cabbage).

In some pregnant women, this condition can provoke the use of very hot or cold foods, boiled eggs, yeast bread, fatty meat.

This is not the only reason why mothers-to-be have heartburn. Some women in the event of a threat of termination of pregnancy are prescribed certain antispasmodics. Such drugs can also cause excruciating symptoms.

Heartburn is a sign of illness

Some people very often experience unpleasant discomfort. Such patients need to consult a doctor with the question: why does heartburn happen after eating? After all, often the source of this condition are diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

Sometimes the causes of heartburn are associated with the use of certain medications. Discomfort can provoke:

• NSAIDs;
• medicines that reduce blood pressure;
• heart medicines;
• drugs for bronchial asthma.

Often occurring symptoms may indicate serious pathologies:

• gastritis;
• ulcer;
• chronic cholecystitis;
• insufficiency of the esophageal sphincter;
• chronic pancreatitis;
• poisoning;
• stomach cancer.

That is why doctors advise initially to be examined and find out what causes heartburn.

Possible Complications

It is very dangerous to ignore the frequently recurring symptoms for a long time. Hydrochloric acid, which is thrown from the stomach into the esophagus, adversely affects it. As a result, inflammation of the mucous membrane occurs, which leads to the formation of an ulcer. Such a pathology can penetrate the entire thickness of the wall and provoke a violation of the integrity of the esophagus.

A healed ulcer leaves a scar behind. It hinders the normal passage of food. Only surgery can remove this obstruction.

To avoid unpleasant complications, one should not underestimate symptoms such as heartburn. Timely access to doctors will protect you from such consequences.

Soda for heartburn

Many get rid of discomfort with the help of folk remedies. The most common and well known is the use of baking soda dissolved in water. However, this method is allowed to be used only occasionally. Doctors say that no more than 200 g of soda solution can be taken per day.

Uncontrolled intake of this drug is extremely harmful to the body and can lead to disastrous consequences. Soda is really very quickly able to neutralize gastric juice, thereby relieving unpleasant symptoms. But unfortunately, only for a short time. After drinking a soda solution, a lot of hydrochloric acid is formed in the stomach, which not only irritates the walls. It increases its volume. There are cases when an overdose of such a remedy led to a rupture of the stomach.

In addition, the frequent use of soda disrupts the acid-base balance. As a result of such exposure, extensive gastritis, an ulcer can develop. Therefore, doctors strongly recommend not to extinguish unpleasant symptoms, but to find out why heartburn happens and how to treat it. For this, you should contact a gastroenterologist.

Heartburn treatment

You should not deal with symptoms on your own if discomfort occurs frequently. Only a doctor can determine why heartburn occurs and how to treat it. After all, any drugs only relieve burning sensation, but do not eliminate the main problem. In most cases, heartburn completely disappears after the doctor selects the necessary medication.

To eliminate unpleasant symptoms, the doctor may prescribe the following drugs:

• "Maalox";
• "Renny";
• "Almagel";
• Phosphalugel.

Such drugs bind hydrochloric acid with magnesium and aluminum salts.

There are also more modern drugs. Their action is based not only on the binding of hydrochloric acid, but also on the formation of a gel film on the surface of the mucous membrane. These drugs are called alginates.

Any of the drugs can be taken only after a doctor's prescription. Patients in whom drug therapy does not help get rid of heartburn are advised to consult a psychotherapist. This specialist will help reduce the level of stress.

A properly composed diet and a competent approach to the diet can often eliminate discomfort and pain in the esophagus.

Experienced specialists who understand what causes heartburn and how to treat it recommend adhering to the following rules:

1. It is necessary to eat often (about 5-6 times), but little by little. This will prevent distension of the stomach.
2. Don't rush while eating. It is forbidden to swallow food in large pieces. Nutritionists recommend chewing food thoroughly, eating slowly. Make sure that air does not enter the esophagus. Fractional meals will relieve you of hunger. Hydrochloric acid will be produced in smaller quantities.
3. It is useful to include low-fat protein foods (hard-boiled eggs, boiled fish, meat), dairy products (butter, fermented baked milk, kefir, low-fat cheeses), whole grain bread, cereals in the diet.
4. Be sure to introduce into the diet food rich in fiber and fibers (watermelons, apples, cabbage, fruits). These foods are great at absorbing nitrites. Namely, they often cause an attack of heartburn.

It is important to identify the food that triggers heartburn. As a rule, these are products that cause an increase in acidity. From this food must be abandoned until complete recovery.

Nutritionists identify the following list of products that can provoke unwanted symptoms:

• black bread;
• alcohol;
• coffee Tea;
• soda;
• seasonings;
• marinades, pickles;
• rich broths;
• fried foods;
• mint drinks.

If you really want to eat something sweet, doctors recommend using natural fruit jelly instead of ice cream and chocolate.

It is important to remember the healing power of ordinary water. With heartburn, it is simply necessary. Water is able to partially reduce the concentration of acid and wash it off the walls of the esophagus back into the stomach. Doctors recommend drinking at least 2 liters of fluid throughout the day.

Conclusion

Heartburn should not be treated on its own. After all, it is not a disease, but a symptom. In order to prevent the development of serious pathologies, at the first signs, contact a gastroenterologist. Do not forget that only an experienced specialist is able to determine the source that causes unpleasant symptoms and prescribe the treatment you need.