The appearance of discomfort and burning in the esophagus is not always considered a sign of the disease. To draw conclusions about possible gastrointestinal pathologies, it is necessary to analyze the causes of heartburn and the frequency of its occurrence.
If unpleasant attacks are observed often, especially in the morning or after a meal, then there is a good reason to visit a gastroenterologist. Ignoring heartburn, you can skip the development of diseases dangerous to health and life.
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Characteristic symptoms and signs
The burning sensation in the chest called heartburn is the result of the action of gastric juice on the mucous membrane of the esophagus. Gastric juice is a digestive fluid that contains hydrochloric acid and enzymes that break down food components.
Gastric juice is produced by the cells of the stomach and normally should not penetrate the esophagus. Under certain circumstances, a small amount of acidic liquid can enter the tissues of the esophagus surface and in healthy people. But in most cases, the appearance of heartburn is regarded as a sign of gastrointestinal dysfunction.
When digestive juices are thrown into the esophagus, aggressive compounds in their composition cause damage and burns to the mucosa. Therefore, heartburn is always accompanied by a burning sensation.While in the stomach a similar effect on the mucous membrane is impossible, the mucus with bicarbonates, which have the property of neutralizing hydrochloric acid, protects the tissues of the membrane.
In medicine, the process of the reverse movement of gastric contents is called reflux.
How does heartburn manifest
The defeat and burn of the esophagus accompany the symptoms characteristic of heartburn:
- burning pains - in the epigastric zone, behind the sternum, giving to the left side of the chest, neck and back, at the level of the shoulder blades;
- burping air - occurs due to the release of gases from the stomach or as a result of a reduction in the diaphragm;
- spitting up - belching food from the stomach, accompanied by a sour or bitter taste;
- nausea - a consequence of a decrease in the tone of the stomach and intestines;
- profuse salivation - a protective measure of the body. Saliva reduces the acid level of gastric juice;
- vomiting - the result of irritation of the membrane of the esophagus;
- coma in the throat, swallowing disorder, hoarseness, slight cough - Signs of inflammatory swelling of the tissues of the esophagus and nasopharynx.
In turn, heartburn is also a symptom. Diseases accompanied by reflux contribute to impaired gastrointestinal function and can cause ulcers and oncological formations.
Heartburn: causes
The process of reflux and the occurrence of heartburn always occurs with a reduced tone of the lower sphincter - the muscle ring located between the stomach and esophagus.
The sphincter of a healthy person plays the role of a kind of access system that allows the passage of chewed food into the stomach, but prevents the backward movement of the gastric masses into the esophagus.
The weakening of the esophageal sphincter is the main component in the mechanism of occurrence of heartburn. While the retrograde movement of the contents of the stomach, as well as a weak closure of the muscle ring, can occur for various reasons.
If you determine in time what causes heartburn and eliminate the cause, you can stop the pathological processes started by the action of digestive juices and prevent the development of many serious complications.
In the morning, at night
Morning heartburn occurs immediately after waking up and is not associated with eating. Therefore, doctors tend to regard this condition as a manifestation of two possible causes - an acute form of gastrointestinal diseases or pregnancy.
Among the pathologies that cause morning heartburn:
- peptic ulcer of the stomach or duodenum;
- weakening of gastric motility;
- pancreatitis
- gastrointestinal cancer.
Sometimes morning heartburn is a consequence of such nightly excesses as overeating, alcohol abuse and smoking. Moreover the number of cigarettes smoked is directly related to the severity of heartburn, since nicotine is considered the strongest irritant to the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines.
Nighttime heartburn can occur not only as a symptom of diseases of the digestive tract. Along with chronic gastritis, gastroeophageal reflux disease or a hernia of the diaphragm, burning medications in the evening can cause medications taken in the evening, tight clothing, and late dinner.
It is interesting:help for heartburn
After each meal
The causes of heartburn after eating are varied.
The list of key factors includes:
- obesity. In overweight people, intragastric pressure rises, which helps to weaken the sphincter ring;
- stresses. Emotional and nervous shocks affect the work of all organs of the gastrointestinal tract, causing a random contraction of the muscles of not only the intestines, but also the esophagus ring;
- smoking and alcohol irritate the tissues of the gastric mucosa, thereby contributing to an increase in the volume of hydrochloric acid;
- malnutrition. An excess of spicy, salty, smoked, fried and fatty foods, as well as sour fruits and berries stimulate the production of hydrochloric acid, increasing its volume.The use of coffee and strong tea, due to the content of caffeine in these drinks, provokes relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter. And sparkling water increases intragastric pressure.
Frequently recurring cases of heartburn after eating are a characteristic symptom of pathological processes in the digestive tract, in the presence of which digestion in most cases is accompanied by reflux.
Reason for constant heartburn
The frequency of occurrence of heartburn is one of the characteristics of the severity of the process:
- moderate - observed once a month;
- medium - happens once a week;
- severe form - observed daily.
The causes of severe heartburn are diseases of the digestive system: gastritis, cholecystitis, stenosis of the esophagus, duodenitis, erosion and ulcers, hernia of the diaphragm, gastroesophageal reflux, Barrett's esophagus, oncology.
After drinking alcohol
In addition to the irritating effect, alcohol inhibits the production of mucus that protects the walls of the stomach, and also affects the functional potential of the digestive tract.
Different types of alcohol differ in the nature of the effect:
- beer - stimulates the production of digestive juice;
- wine - contributes to the development of gastritis;
- vodka - weakens the sphincter ring, damages the mucous membrane of the stomach;
- champagne - carbon dioxide contained in the drink causes overflow of the stomach with gases, reduces the tone of the sphincter.
Besides, excessive consumption of alcohol leads to acidosis - one of the main causes of acidification of the blood and, as a result, impaired acid-base balance throughout the body.
The effects of heartburn
With often repeated heartburn, the aggressive effect of digestive juice on the mucous membrane of the esophagus contributes to the gradual destruction of the cells of the epithelial layer, resulting in erosion.
As a rule, erosive lesions affect only the upper layer of the membrane. But with prolonged exposure to acid masses from the stomach, the process of tissue destruction continues, and ulcers occur.
Ulcerous lesions are characterized by a significant depth of damage, up to the complete perforation of the walls of the stomach, the release of its contents into the abdominal cavity and the development of peritonitis. Severe complications of an ulcer include bleeding and tumor processes.
After treatment, scars form on the site of the ulcers, narrowing the esophagus and complicating the absorption of food. If untreated, a high probability of death.
Diagnostic measures
To assess the condition of the intestine and identify possible causes of heartburn, gastroenterologists use laboratory and instrumental diagnostic methods:
- biochemical blood test - allows you to determine the number of enzymes produced in the liver and pancreas;
- general blood test - an assessment of the cellular composition of the plasma helps to draw conclusions about the condition of the patient’s body and the presence of inflammatory processes;
- blood test for antibodies to Helicobacter pylori - reveals a microorganism that contributes to the development of ulcers;
- fibroesophagogastroduodenoscopy - the insertion of an endoscope into the esophagus and stomach allows you to assess the condition of the lower valve and mucous membrane;
- X-ray contrast study - a method of analyzing the motor capabilities of the esophagus. Detects narrowing of the esophagus;
- daily pH-metry - to assess the characteristics of acid masses within 24 hours;
- intraesophageal manometry - to measure the tone of the lower esophageal sphincter.
Determining the exact cause of heartburn without instrumental diagnostics can be difficult. Nevertheless, in order to get rid of excruciating attacks, it is necessary to eliminate the underlying disease that provokes their appearance.
Home treatment
To eliminate heartburn at home, you need to take care of not only a healthy diet, but also a lifestyle.If there is a special need, one-time use of drugs that eliminate the symptoms of heartburn and reflux, as well as protecting the mucous membrane of the esophagus and stomach from destruction by hydrochloric acid and enzymes, is allowed.
Heartburn Pills - List
Medication for heartburn involves taking pills:
- suppressing acid-forming function of the stomach (antisecretory drugs) - Omeprazole, Pantoprazole, Ranitidine, Famotidine, Metacin;
- normalizing the motor activity of the gastrointestinal tract (prokinetics) - Domperidone, Metoclopramide;
- blocking the effect of bile enzymes and hydrochloric acid (gastroprotectors) - Ursofalk, Sucralfate, Misoprostol;
- with antacid effect, neutralizing the acidity of the digestive juice - Rennie, Phosphalugel, Maalox.
Prolonged use of tablets that reduce the acidity of the stomach leads to excessive alkalization of the body, adversely affecting health, in general.
Treatment with folk remedies
The use of traditional medicine is relevant for exacerbations of heartburn.
Treatment with potato juice is used for chronic gastritis and ulcers. A glass of fresh potato juice is mixed with a tablespoon of honey. Take 100 ml twice a day.
Quickly remove the symptoms of heartburn will help a pharmacy chamomile. A spoonful of inflorescences is brewed with a glass of boiling water and incubated for 20 minutes. Take a few sips before eating.
In the same way, you can prepare infusions from the leaves of plantain, yarrow flowers, dill fruits.
It is strictly forbidden to extinguish heartburn with soda or milk - temporary relief will quickly be replaced by a new, more intense wave of hydrochloric acid, since these products stimulate its production.
Diet
Properly organized nutrition is the basis of both treatment and quick recovery.
To improve the health of the gastrointestinal tract, gastroenterologists recommend introducing the following products into the diet:
- skim milk products;
- carrots, potatoes, legumes, cereals;
- cereals from cereals - buckwheat, oatmeal, semolina, rice;
- eggs
- meat and fish without fat;
- weak broths and soups based on them;
- durum wheat pasta;
- bran bread;
- bananas, sweet apples;
- weak green tea, still water, compotes and juices from non-acidic varieties of fruits and berries.
When cooking, it is better to give preference to boiling or baking.
In what cases is treatment not necessary?
If the appearance of heartburn is not associated with pathological processes in the gastrointestinal tract, its attacks are easily amenable to correction. It is enough to eliminate the cause that provoked the reflux of gastric juice into the esophagus.
Such reasons include taking certain medications, wearing tight clothes and tight belts or corsets, eating too spicy foods, and pregnancy.
Causes and treatment of heartburn during pregnancy
Heartburn is one of the most characteristic manifestations of pregnancy. The process of retrograde promotion of the contents of the stomach contributes to the relaxation of the smooth muscles of the pregnant woman - a consequence of the intensive production of the hormone progesterone. This explains why pregnant women have heartburn even in the early stages.
Whereas in the second half of pregnancy, the cause of heartburn is an increase in the fetus and size of the uterus. In this case, the stomach rises, contributing to the throwing of digestive juices into the esophagus.
To get rid of heartburn, expectant mothers are recommended:
- establish a diet in fractional portions;
- avoid eating spicy and fried foods;
- wear loose clothing;
- try not to bend over.
In the event of an attack, sunflower seeds, hazelnuts and well-chewed flakes of hercules will help to reduce discomfort and burning.
In especially difficult cases, medication recommended by the attending physician is allowed.
Preventive actions
It is not difficult to get rid of heartburn if you rethink the attitude to your health - change habits, take care of proper nutrition, alternate work and rest.
It’s not in vain that smoking and large portions of alcohol are called bad habits, because these factors affect the digestive tract organs, invariably worsening their condition and functionality. Within a few days after giving up cigarettes and alcohol, overall health will noticeably improve. However, it will take several months to fully restore the body.
Overeating is also regarded as one of the bad habits, because it not only stretches the walls of the stomach, forcing the body to increase the production of hydrochloric acid, but also contributes to weight gain, a characteristic consequence of which is heartburn.
A proper diet includes not only the use of healthy foods, but also a certain frequency of food intake. The most sparing regimen for the digestive tract is fractional nutrition, which provides meals with frequent, but small portions, up to 6 times a day. The last appointment - no later than three hours before bedtime.
While eating, it is not recommended to be distracted, talk or read. In addition, to reduce the load on the stomach, each piece of food should be chewed carefully. After eating, you can not bend over or go to bed - it is better to take a little walk in the fresh air.
The use of preventive measures makes sense only if the main cause of heartburn is eliminated - a disease of the digestive system.
