The discomfort associated with the aggressive effect of the acid contents of the stomach on the walls of the esophagus is familiar to most people on the planet. But if the attacks are repeated regularly, then it is possible that the causes and consequences of heartburn are associated with the development of any disease.
Sometimes the appearance of heartburn provokes certain types of products, but often an unpleasant condition signals a health hazard. It is important to recognize the danger in time and take adequate therapeutic measures.
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What is heartburn
The burning sensation that accompanies heartburn is the result of irritation of the mucous membrane of the esophagus. In a healthy person, the acidic environment of the stomach occurs due to the formation of hydrochloric acid, which is necessary for normal digestion. In addition, during digestion, the amount of active components of bile increases in the contents of the stomach.
For the stomach, the aggressive effect of the acid content is not dangerous, since its walls are covered with a protective film. While the mucous membrane of the esophagus does not have a protective coating. When hydrochloric acid is refluxed, the walls of the esophagus undergo destruction - the acid content irritates the nerve endings of the mucous membrane and corrodes its tissues.
Characteristic symptoms and signs
With heartburn, there is not only a burning sensation in the stomach and esophagus, but also other signs appear that accompany digestion:
- frequent burping - air or food with a touch of acid or bitterness;
- nausea;
- an increase in the amount of saliva;
- the urge to vomit;
- cough, hoarse voice;
- trouble swallowing, feeling of a “lump” in my throat.
In some cases, the symptoms characteristic of heartburn can be a sign of the development of acute cardiac pathologies - angina pectoris or myocardial infarction. If, along with burning, the attack is accompanied by acute pain behind the sternum, it is better not to risk it and call an ambulance.
Causes
The main causes of heartburn are considered factors that stimulate the acid-forming function of the stomach:
- products that contribute to the development of mucosal irritation - spicy and fatty foods, a large number of seasonings, strong coffee, alcohol, soda;
- excessive consumption of tomatoes, citrus fruits, pickles, fried foods;
- overeating - as a result of plentiful feasts, the walls of the gastrointestinal tract are stretched, causing the release of more hydrochloric acid than usual;
- smoking - contributes to mucosal irritation;
- taking certain types of drugs - aspirin, ibuprofen.
A physical factor in the development of heartburn can be a decrease in the tone of the sphincters located in the esophagus. Sphincter is a muscle ring, a valve that prevents the backward movement of swallowed food.
There are two such sphincters in the esophagus - next to the pharynx and in front of the stomach. If for any reason the sphincter is relaxed, it cannot prevent the gastric juices from being thrown into the esophagus.
The mechanical factor in the development of heartburn often becomes the pressure exerted on the abdominal organs, due to:
- overweight;
- tight clothes, tight belts and corsets;
- lifting weights;
- pregnancy.
In addition, nervous conditions and stresses can become a trigger for casting acid into the esophagus.
In the morning, at night
Nightly attacks of heartburn are less common than daytime, but doctors tend to consider their consequences more dangerous.
In most cases, night discomfort occurs as a result of improper human behavior:
- eating harmful foods just before bedtime - fatty, spicy, with lots of spices, sweet;
- smoking or large amounts of alcohol taken before going to bed;
- eating habits while lying down.
When the body is horizontal, the lower valve is pressurized and cannot prevent the return of food residues and secretory fluid from the stomach. As a result of the effect of acid on the bronchi and nerve endings of the esophagus, attacks of nightly heartburn are accompanied by pain in the heart and coughing.
Morning heartburn is regarded by doctors as a sign of diseases of the digestive tract:
- ulcerative lesions;
- all types of gastritis;
- hernias of the aperture of the diaphragm;
- inflammation in the duodenum;
- pathology of the biliary tract.
In most cases, observing the diet allows you to forget about night and morning burning in the esophagus. A recurrence of heartburn is a sign of the development of chronic gastrointestinal diseases.
After each meal
According to gastroenterologists, constantly appearing heartburn after each meal is a signal about problems with the gastrointestinal tract.
Most often, an increase in the concentration of hydrochloric acid in the gastric juice is observed in chronic gastritis with hypersecretion. But it can be a sign of inflammatory or erosive processes in the digestive tract.
In addition, heartburn almost always occurs in patients who have undergone gallbladder removal, surgery in the stomach or duodenum, and oncology of the digestive tract.
Read also:what helps with heartburn
Reason for constant heartburn
The severity of heartburn is determined, depending on the frequency of its occurrence. Rarely recurring seizures with a frequency of once every 30 days are classified as moderate.
For the moderate severity of the pathology, a weekly appearance is characteristic. If heartburn occurs daily, this is a severe form, indicating the presence of serious gastrointestinal diseases. Especially if the attacks are accompanied by pain in the stomach.
If heartburn attacks occur constantly, it is unacceptable to self-medicate, you should contact your gastroenterologist as soon as possible.
After drinking alcohol
Gastroenterologists consider alcohol to be one of the worst enemies of the digestive system. Even small doses of alcohol increase the vulnerability of the gastrointestinal tract and provoke the development of chronic diseases.
The mechanism for the development of heartburn after drinking alcohol is as follows:
- most of the alcohol is absorbed in the stomach, while inhibiting the protective functions of the mucous membrane covering its walls;
- the production of protective mucus by the walls of the organ is significantly reduced, as a result of which the effect of hydrochloric acid on unprotected sections of the epithelium is increased;
- in the places of the most severe tissue lesions erosion occurs, which over time develops into ulcers. Their number depends on the total number of affected areas;
- with the development of ulcerative formations, heartburn is accompanied by severe pain in the sternum.
Moreover, the negative effects of alcohol on the functionality of the nervous and immune systems also provoke heartburn. The characteristic properties of alcoholic beverages have a different effect on the functioning of the stomach.
- Beer contains hops, stimulating the production of gastric juice, and carbon dioxide, which weakens the muscles of the lower sphincter.
- Wine, especially red, irritates the upper gastrointestinal tract, causing burning and damage to the mucous membrane of the esophagus.
- Vodka - aggressively affects the walls of the stomach, enhancing the production of secretory fluid and destroying the protective layer of the epithelium.
- Champagne - contains carbon dioxide, the accumulation of which increases pressure on the lower sphincter, reducing its functionality
- Cognac is a drink with a high alcohol content that triggers the mechanism of damage to the tissues of the digestive organs. As a result of abuse of the drink, the destruction of the liver, mucous membrane of the stomach and esophagus occurs.
Causes of pregnancy
In women during pregnancy, heartburn attacks are not only not uncommon, but also a regularity. This statement applies even to those expectant mothers who before pregnancy did not encounter the problem of burning behind the sternum in general.
People say that the heartburn of pregnant women indicates a dense hairline of the child. But in fact, the causes of the attacks are physiological in nature.
The fact is that as the fetus develops and grows, pressure on the internal organs of a woman increases. And considering that a high level of hormones during pregnancy promotes muscle relaxation, it becomes clear why the esophagus sphincters do not cope with their purpose.
An additional factor that provokes heartburn in pregnant women is a slowdown in contractions of the muscles of the stomach and, as a result, longer digestion.
Heartburn during pregnancy is a temporary phenomenon and does not require treatment, since it does not affect the health of the mother and baby. If possible, it is better to do without medicines.
And in order to alleviate the condition and reduce burning, it is worth changing the diet, including light healthy foods - fermented milk products, lean meats, stewed or boiled vegetables in the diet.
In severe cases, you should consult your doctor.
Effects
Periodic occurrence of heartburn is possible even in absolutely healthy people. But if the attacks are overcome with menacing regularity, then it is time to consult a specialist. Because the lack of treatment for heartburn often leads to serious, sometimes irreversible, health problems.
Unprotected mucous membrane of the esophagus, constantly exposed to the aggressive effects of gastric juice, is gradually destroyed. Against the background of damage to the tissues of the mucous membrane, erosion, and then ulcerous areas, capable of bleeding and increasing in size, arise.
Often, even after the healing of ulcers, scars remain on the surface of the esophagus walls, narrowing the passage and obstructing the natural advancement of food.
In addition, inflammatory processes cause the degeneration of epithelial cells. This condition is regarded by doctors as precancerous, because it provokes the formation and development of tumor cells.
Diagnostic measures
The presence of heartburn is characteristic of many chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. To eliminate the unpleasant phenomenon, it is necessary to establish the exact cause of its appearance and undergo a course of appropriate treatment.
The following procedures are used to determine the diagnosis in medicine:
- blood tests - general, biochemical, for the presence of antibodies. Research allows you to assess the condition of the patient’s body, detect violations and inflammatory processes. The detection or absence of antibodies to the microorganism Helicobacter pylori confirms or excludes the diagnosis of peptic ulcer;
- fecal analysis - a persistent and informative method for detecting pathological inclusions and changes in the composition of the intestinal microflora;
- fibroesophagogastroduodenoscopy (FGDS) - a method for examining the mucosa of the esophagus and stomach with an endoscope. An additional option is the collection of tissue samples for examination under a microscope;
- X-ray - determination of physiological abnormalities or changes in the structure of the esophagus and stomach;
- intra-esophageal pH-metry - a method of measuring the pH level in the digestive tract by introducing a probe;
- esophagomanometry - measurement of pressure in the esophagus. Performed by insertion of a catheter.
Based on the diagnosis, the gastroenterologist prescribes drug therapy and a therapeutic diet. You can get rid of heartburn only after a full recovery.
In which cases treatment is not necessary
It should be understood that heartburn is not considered an independent disease, but is regarded by doctors as one of the symptoms of gastrointestinal tract pathologies. Therefore, temporary measures to eliminate discomfort will not be able to ensure full recovery.
It is a mistake to think that if you drink soda, which temporarily reduces the intensity of the attack, then you can get rid of malaise forever. Moreover, gastroenterologists also warn against the abuse of antacid drugs designed specifically to eliminate burning sensation in the esophagus.
Constantly taking medication means regularly suppressing the consequence of pathological processes without eliminating the cause itself. The only correct way to solve the problem is to visit a doctor, and the sooner the better.
However, not all cases of heartburn require immediate medical attention. This applies to cases when malaise occurs no more than once or twice a month.
Most likely, the problem lies in the wrong lifestyle and the use of harmful products. The transition to a diet and the use of preventive measures will get rid of discomfort.
Also, treatment of heartburn is not required for pregnant women - along with the birth of a baby, health will also be restored.
Prevention
A healthy diet and lifestyle can prevent the development of a huge number of diseases.
Following simple guidelines is the best way to get rid of the burning problem in the esophagus:
- a healthy diet is the absence of foods that are hard to digest by the intestines. The maximum health benefits will come from the use of baked and boiled vegetables, low-fat fish and meat, skim milk products, eggs, cereals, pasta from durum wheat, brown rice, unrefined vegetable oil, compotes and green tea;
- proper eating involves small but frequent portions of food, leisurely absorption, thorough chewing;
- after eating, it is desirable to be upright for an hour;
- optimal daily volume of fluid drunk - 1.5 liters;
- it is undesirable to eat before bedtime or lying down;
- the use of certain foods is best kept to a minimum. The restriction applies to alcohol, chocolate and sweets, fried, spicy, salted and smoked products, tobacco;
- tight clothes and belts should be replaced with comfortable things that do not squeeze the abdominal cavity;
- normalization of the intestine is the key to the natural cleansing of the body of toxins and harmful substances that contribute to the development of diseases.
Heartburn is not as harmless as it may seem. It is easy to become healthy if you take care of your health and not ignore the body's signals.
