Everyone is familiar with the unpleasant warm feeling in the chest. A person rarely thinks seriously about the danger of what is happening. The National Association of Gastroenterologists believes that it is a symptom of the development of cancer of the esophagus. People who do not pay attention to heartburn, which torments the body, run the risk of becoming ill with no guarantee of recovery.
Let's clarify the concept. In special sources, heartburn refers to burning sensations that last differently and have unequal strength. In a healthy person, food moves in a certain direction - from the mouth to the rectum. During its stay in the body, food is transformed. If he is susceptible to illness, digestive products move in the opposite direction, which is associated with tissue injury and the formation of an unpleasant feeling of heat. This process can be repeated frequently.
Causes of heartburn after eating
Signs of acid reflux may appear immediately or shortly after eating food. Heartburn occurs for reasons related to disturbances in the intestinal tract as a result of poor nutrition or the presence of pathologies of internal organs.
External:
- unbalanced daily menu: consumption of fried, spicy, salty foods, fast food, carbonated drinks;
- binge eating;
- long breaks between meals;
- night meal;
- snacks, dry food;
- physical activity, taking a horizontal position after eating food;
- abuse of alcoholic beverages and tobacco products;
- stress tension;
Internal:
- acute, chronic gastritis;
- stomach ulcer, duodenal ulcer;
- food poisoning;
- the presence of worms;
- infection;
- gastroesophageal reflux;
- pathologies of the cardiovascular, nervous system - neurosis;
- hiatal hernia;
- cholelithiasis;
- inflammatory processes of the pancreas, esophagus, gall bladder;
- malignant, benign tumors;
- obesity;
- pregnancy.
External reasons
Heartburn after eating occurs due to regular consumption of spicy foods, which cause irritation of the mucous membrane as a result of mixing with hydrochloric acid. This leads not only to a burning sensation, but also to the development of stomach diseases: gastritis, ulcers.
To digest fried foods, you need a large amount of hydrochloric acid, the excessive production of which leads to heartburn after eating. Products rich in animal fats cause associated unpleasant symptoms: bloating, belching. The release of carbon dioxide provokes the reflux of gastric juice and bile into the esophagus, which leads to burns of the internal walls of the organ. Belching and subsequent release of carbon oxides into the body are caused by carbonated drinks.
The cause of heartburn after eating is the inclusion of high acidity foods in the diet: citrus fruits, vegetables, marinades, pickles. Active acid production is caused by products containing caffeine, mint, and excessive amounts of sugar. Smoking and drinking alcohol weaken the gastric sphincter.
External causes of frequent heartburn after eating include non-food factors: sports activities immediately after eating, taking a horizontal position. During physical exercises, for example, bending, bending, pumping the press, the walls of the stomach are compressed. The horizontal position after eating promotes the slow passage of contents into the intestines. A factor that negatively affects the functioning of the gastric tract is stress and emotional stress. During anxiety, the body secretes protective substances that are irritants for the mucous membrane of the digestive system.
Internal factors
The clinical etiology of the manifestation of constant heartburn after eating is pathology, the presence of inflammatory processes, features of the functioning of the body. A burning sensation may occur as a result of food poisoning, which occurs due to consumption of:
- low-quality, expired food products;
- unwashed vegetables, fruits;
- dirty water;
- alcoholic drinks.
The most common cause of heartburn every day is internal pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract: gastritis, ulcers, hernia, reflux, esophagitis, cholecystitis. Diseases of the digestive system are associated with improperly organized nutrition, lack of a healthy regimen, and hereditary predisposition.
Burning is one of the accompanying signs of inflammatory processes that constantly appear after eating.
How to choose baked goods
The choice of bread must be approached carefully. It should be understood that flour products that contain margarine, large amounts of fat, salt and dairy products, as well as various additives (creams, raisins, nuts) can provoke not only heartburn, but also other gastrointestinal pathologies. In addition, large consumption of baked goods can affect your figure.
It is best to buy whole grain bread without yeast or made with sourdough from live yeast. The white loaf should be replaced with buckwheat bread, unleavened flatbread or gray bread with seeds.
Depending on existing diseases, the same bread can worsen one person’s digestion and, on the contrary, improve another’s digestion. So:
- Unleavened bread is recommended for people with dysbacteriosis, as well as gastrointestinal diseases. In addition to it, you can eat bread made with hop sourdough.
- Rye bread can be eaten by diabetics, but is prohibited for people with gastritis and stomach ulcers. Men and women with pathologies of the biliary tract and enteritis should not eat it.
- People with exacerbation of gastritis, pathologies of the pancreas and liver should avoid whole grain bread.
Heartburn from pie, cake, bread can occur in people with various diseases of the digestive tract. However, this is not a reason to completely abandon their use. Because with the correct selection of bread, in accordance with the existing disease, and compliance with the rules prescribed by the gastroenterologist, heartburn may not remind the patient of itself for a long time.
Associated symptoms
Severe heartburn may be accompanied by additional unpleasant symptoms:
- belching;
- bitter, sour taste;
- spasms, pain syndromes in the abdomen, stomach, esophagus;
- nausea, vomiting;
- bloating, flatulence;
- heaviness in the stomach;
- bowel dysfunction;
- lack of appetite;
- weakness;
- increase in pressure.
Symptoms depend on the cause of heartburn. Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, severe pain are characteristic of infectious diseases, pathologies of the stomach, which are associated with inflammation of the mucous membrane, the presence of cicatricial deformities, ulcers, and erosions. Signs of a burning sensation due to dysfunction of the intestinal tract appear 1 hour after eating, as well as throughout the day even from the smell of food.
Features of heartburn
A burning sensation occurs in adults and children. The course of heartburn depends on the cause of increased acidity and the individual characteristics of the body.
Pregnancy
Vomiting, nausea and heartburn are the main symptomatic signs of pregnancy in the first trimester. After conception, hormonal changes begin in the body: progesterone is actively produced, affecting the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. In the first months of pregnancy, the expectant mother may have a desire to eat foods that are incompatible with each other, which leads to a burning sensation in the throat, sternum, and esophagus.
Heartburn is also a concern in the last stages of pregnancy. The fetus in the third trimester has increased significantly in size, so the child contributes to compression of the internal organs.
Child population
In newborn babies and children under one year old, heartburn is a rare occurrence. Burning is a symptomatic sign accompanying pain in the stomach or abdomen due to an internal inflammatory process. Spasms in a child are observed with serious pathologies of the digestive system: acute gastritis, inflammation of the mucous membrane of the esophagus, hernia. Signs of a burning sensation are:
- constant belching after eating;
- spasms;
- nausea;
- vomiting;
- rumbling in the stomach;
- lethargy, weakness;
- irritability;
- lack of appetite;
- restless sleep.
Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract are associated with poor nutrition: early introduction of complementary foods, consumption of adult foods, fast food, sweets, carbonated drinks.
What to do: effective means at hand
When heartburn takes us by surprise, we often strike back. Either we relieve the symptoms by unloading the stomach, or we eat something tasty. The degree of success of this struggle depends on the contents of our bag or refrigerator. Take a look at your supplies and tell me if there is anything from this list for heartburn:
- soda;
- Activated carbon;
- mineral water;
- seeds;
- honey;
- lemon;
- apples;
- salt.
Baking soda really helps with heartburn attacks. But you should not use it regularly, it is harmful to the body. Activated carbon is another universal remedy for the stomach for all occasions. It helps a lot, the main thing is not to overdo it with the dosage. Seeds in moderate quantities (otherwise the stomach will suffer, there is a high probability of gastritis), like candy, distract from the irritant, but do not eliminate its cause. On the contrary, lemon in large quantities will cause harm, increase acidity in the stomach, which will lead to heartburn, and in small quantities it will distract attention.
Separately about liquids. Mineral water, like regular warm water, helps normalize the acidity level of the stomach and cleanses the esophagus in case of heartburn. It is best to drink it in the morning half an hour before breakfast. This way you are guaranteed to feel light throughout the day. Juices are refreshing, give positive emotions and fight heartburn, delighting your stomach with freshness. But your coffee consumption will have to be limited, although for many this will seem difficult.
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Many of the methods listed are not always appropriate during pregnancy. Contraindications are caused by diet, exacerbation of chronic diseases, which manifest themselves in the form of heartburn, or various pains. Pregnancy is a difficult time when you have something to fight, but nothing to fight with. Expectant mothers are helped by folk remedies for heartburn. Herbs are mostly harmless during pregnancy as long as you don't overdo it.
Apples are extremely beneficial for the stomach. They normalize digestion and eliminate heartburn. Regularly eating apples will help combat this problem, at least at the level of masking the symptoms. Either way, your stomach will thank you. Heartburn can't last forever if you don't feed it. Apples, like kefir, cleanse the body. They are especially recommended during pregnancy, when it is important to monitor the tone of the uterus and avoid junk food.
Possible complications
Heartburn and belching can be mistaken for non-serious symptoms indicating overeating or consumption of prohibited foods. But a burning sensation, accompanied by unpleasant symptoms, is a signal of a disruption in the normal functioning of the digestive system. Failure to promptly consult a gastroenterologist if heartburn constantly occurs during and after meals can lead to the appearance of scar deformities on the walls of the stomach and erosions. Ulcers can become chronic and then develop into cancerous tumors that spread metastases throughout the body.
Dairy products
Can milk cause heartburn? A whole product can cause this disorder due to the large amount of fat it contains. In addition, some people may be lactose intolerant, so drinking this drink provokes dyspepsia.
People who eat fermented milk products may experience dyspeptic disorders. This is especially true for products with a high percentage of fat content. Kefir and fermented baked milk contain carbon dioxide, which negatively affects the functioning of the digestive tract. It is undesirable to drink yogurt or eat sweet curd mass - these products contain sugar, which provokes the development of heartburn.
Diagnostics
The help of a specialist is required if heartburn appears daily 1-2 hours after eating food with additional symptoms such as belching, nausea, and stomach pain. After a visual examination, including palpation of the area where the organs of the digestive system are located, the doctor prescribes diagnostic measures: laboratory tests, instrumental examination.
The collection of biological material allows us to identify pathogenic infections and the presence of an inflammatory process. An instrumental examination, consisting of abdominal ultrasound, radiography, endoscopy, is carried out to visually examine the organ from the inside.
Purpose of treatment
Heartburn in the mouth, which appears every day, requires immediate therapeutic treatment. The burning sensation that occurs is treated with complex measures. Therapy includes maintaining proper nutrition, taking medications, and using folk remedies.
Medications
The prescribed medications are aimed at eliminating unpleasant symptoms in a short time, as well as treating the root cause of heartburn after eating. The first group of drugs includes antacids, the second - antisecretory drugs.
Antacids
Antacids neutralize hydrochloric acid, coat and protect the walls of the stomach from the effects of food on damaged areas of the mucous membrane. Medicines are available in the form of tablets, suspensions, and gels, so they are convenient for use by both adults and children. Antacids consist of magnesium, aluminum, calcium and sodium. The chemical elements contained contribute to the rapid reduction of elevated acidity levels and the natural restoration of damage. Popular medications include:
- Phosphalugel;
- Almagel;
- Gasterin;
- Rennie.
Fast-acting drugs have significant disadvantages: short-term effect (no more than 3 hours), elimination of symptoms, but not the cause of heartburn. When taking medications for a long time, the natural rate of mineral metabolism in the body is disrupted, which leads to additional side effects.
Antisecretory agents
The drugs are aimed at eliminating the symptoms and causes of acid reflux. Antisecretory agents neutralize excess gastric juice, reduce acid production, and protect the walls of the digestive tract. Medicines have an effect for more than 12 hours. The drugs are suitable for different categories of people. Effective antisecretory agents are:
- Gistak;
- Noflux;
- Omeprazole;
- Zulbex.
The disadvantages of popular medications are the slow absorption of components, contraindications for use with other medications, and possible side effects. Antisecretory drugs are prescribed only by specialists, taking into account the peculiarities of the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
Diet food
A balanced diet is the basis of a healthy diet. Diet involves avoiding unhealthy foods:
- fried, salty foods, fatty foods;
- citrus fruits;
- canned food, marinades;
- fast food;
- semi-finished products;
- carbonated drinks, alcohol;
- sweet products;
- sour fruit drinks, juices.
If heartburn occurs, you need to eat fractionally: eat food 5-6 times throughout the day. Staying hydrated is the basis of a healthy diet. You need to drink at least 2 liters of clean water per day. The daily diet must include lean meat, fish, eggs, cereals, cereals, low-fat dairy products, fresh vegetables, and berries. For the normal functioning of the stomach, it is necessary to refuse dry food, quick snacks, eating food before bed, and also observe the temperature regime of the food consumed.
Folk remedies
Traditional medicine methods are effective in cases of individual intolerance to the components of medications, as well as in the absence of necessary medications. The recipes consist of simple ingredients that have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and soothing properties. Before using folk remedies, you should make sure that there is no allergic reaction to the components.
There are proven ways to eliminate severe heartburn at home:
- a decoction of honey, herbal preparations (chamomile, St. John's wort, plantain);
- dill infusion with the addition of fennel and anise;
- freshly squeezed potato juice;
- grated onions with sugar;
- oatmeal;
- pumpkin seeds, almonds;
- milk;
- soda solution.
All ingredients must be consumed on an empty stomach before meals or during an attack of heartburn.
Appearance in pregnant women
During pregnancy, women may experience heartburn attacks at different times. If a burning sensation occurs in the early stages, the reason lies in hormonal changes in the body and changes in taste preferences, which are often quite unexpected. If the burning sensation appears in the later stages, this process is caused by compression of the internal organs by the growing fetus. At the same time, the level of the hormone progesterone increases, which relaxes the muscles to prepare the body for childbirth.
The main reason for heartburn in pregnant women is the physiology during this period. The burning sensation occurs due to the reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus, which enters through a loosely closed flap valve. If the sphincter is tightly closed, high intra-abdominal pressure will be created, which will adversely affect the growth of the uterus. But a pregnant woman should be treated for heartburn carefully, preferably with herbal preparations. Folk remedies are more suitable.
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Prevention recommendations
It is possible to avoid heartburn as a symptom of dysfunction of the intestinal tract by following the following nutritional rules:
- high-quality chewing of food;
- eating small portions of food;
- refusal to eat a few hours before bedtime;
- restriction in the use of foods that provoke increased production of hydrochloric acid;
- do not exercise or lie down for half an hour after eating;
- to refuse from bad habits.
Adjusting your diet, lifestyle, and daily routine is important for external and internal causes of acid reflux. Regular visits to the doctor at the first signs of illness will help you avoid serious health problems.
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