Frequent heartburn: causes, consequences, what to do?

Heartburn is a phenomenon that is accompanied by an unpleasant sensation burning sensation along the esophagus, in the stomach. Anyone can experience the symptom. Frequent heartburn in adults can cause serious pathological processes in the gastrointestinal tract. How to recognize the cause of heartburn? How to provide first aid? What are the ways to eliminate the symptom?

Causes of frequent heartburn

Lifestyle and nutrition affects the functioning of the digestive system. Disruptions in the functioning of the digestive tract lead to negative consequences for human health. Possible causes of frequent heartburn:

• Binge eating;
• Improper diet, eating spicy, fried, fatty foods (a very common cause);
• Fast food, snacks;
• Swallowing food;
• Smoking;
• Alcohol abuse;
• Inflammatory diseases of the digestive tract;
• Wearing uncomfortable clothes that tighten the belly (tight belts, belts);
• Overweight;
• The last trimester of pregnancy, toxicosis;
• Frequent stressful situations;
• Side effect of medication.

If a person has daily bouts of heartburn, then this indicates pathological processes, it can be a serious illness. Increased acidity in the stomach provokes a burning sensation. To eliminate the symptom, it is necessary to diagnose the disease, start complex treatment.

Diseases that cause heartburn

Persistent heartburn should not go untreated. The causes of occurrence are serious diseases:

• Hernia of the alimentary opening;
• Chronic gastritis;
• Inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis);
• Duodenal ulcer;
• Reflux disorders;
• Inflammation of the pancreas (cholecystitis);
• Benign or malignant formations of the digestive system;
• It happens due to the transferred operations on the digestive tract (consequences and complications).

If a person has persistent heartburn after eating, the increased production of acid damages the gastric mucosa, which subsequently leads to ulcerative processes, gastritis. This means that constant burning sensation can provoke disease.

Symptoms

During heartburn, a person does not feel well. Burning sensation interferes with normal life, movements cause discomfort. Heartburn Sign:

• Increased gas production (flatulence);
• The person begins to worry sour belching;
• Feeling of a bitter taste in the mouth;
• Increased salivation;
• There is a burning sensation along the esophagus;
• Nausea may occur, accompanied by vomiting;
• Difficulty swallowing, which may lead to a cough.

To get rid of the symptoms, you need to find out and eliminate the root cause of the burning sensation. To do this, you can first adjust the diet, undergo a medical examination.

First aid

To be the first help with heartburn, it is recommended to take antacids. To achieve a positive result, select medications together with your doctor. Preparations that are used to eliminate burning sensation: Maalox, Almagel, Gaviscon, Rennie, Gastracid.

H2 receptor blockers are used to eliminate the symptom. They help to normalize the production of hydrochloric acid (gastric juice). The most effective medicines: Omeprazole, Renitek, Omez.

In order to prevent damage to the gastric mucosa with an increase in acidity, it is recommended to take Smecta. It envelops the walls of the stomach. If after eating there is a heaviness in the abdomen, cramps, drink Gastal or Mezim.

If your home medicine cabinet does not have the necessary medication, you can try to relieve the burning sensation with water with the addition of baking soda. Add a pinch of baking soda to 200 ml of boiled water (chilled). This solution helps neutralize stomach acid. However, this process releases carbon dioxide, which leads to bloating. Therefore, this method should be used carefully.

It is advisable to use medications after diagnosis. So you can choose the optimal choice of drugs, diet.

Diagnostic methods

To identify the source that provokes heartburn, perform a comprehensive diagnosis. The doctor interviews the patient, collects anamnesis. Patient complaints allow the doctor to choose the necessary methods for the examination.

Laboratory blood tests to determine the number of erythrocytes, leukocytes, hemoglobin level, ESR content

Deviations from the norm of certain blood parameters indicate pathological processes in the body (increased leukocyte count, ESR).

In addition to a general blood test, a biochemical study is carried out for the content of bilirubin, pancreatic enzymes, and trace elements. The result of the study helps to analyze the state of the liver, gallbladder, pancreas. Blood sampling for laboratory tests is carried out on an empty stomach.

The analysis of feces allows you to assess the state of the digestive system, the imbalance of the microflora indicates a malfunction in the gastrointestinal tract.

Fibrogastroduodenoscopy

EGD - visual assessment of the parameters of the stomach, esophageal mucosa, duodenum. Using this method, it is possible to identify ulcerative processes, tumor formations, and inflammatory diseases. A microcamera is introduced into the stomach cavity, through which an image of internal organs is displayed on the screen. The doctor can accurately identify gastritis, esophagitis, ulcers. The procedure is performed using anesthetic drugs to reduce pain.

PH-metry

PH-metry allows you to measure the pH level in the esophagus, stomach, duodenum. Allows you to diagnose diseases associated with changes in the level of acidity in the stomach. The duration of the procedure is:

• Short-term;
• Express;
• Daily.

The acidity level is measured using a special probe that is inserted through the nose or mouth. The procedure is performed on an empty stomach. It is recommended not to take any medications a few hours before the pH meter. After the examination, gastritis, duodenitis, peptic ulcer, GERD can be detected. Each disease has its own treatment tactics. The patient must follow all the doctor's recommendations for a speedy recovery.

Treatment features

To get rid of heartburn, a complex treatment is used, which includes medications, adjusting the diet, lifestyle.

All medications are prescribed by the doctor strictly according to the indications for the diagnosis. Before taking, read the instructions, take into account the existing contraindications.

For diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, which are accompanied by a burning sensation in the esophagus, the following types of medicines are used:

• Antacids. The active ingredients of the drug are hydroxides of aluminum, magnesium, calcium. They help eliminate burning sensation, relieve cramps and stomach pains. The drug neutralizes hydrochloric acid in the stomach.
• Gastroprotectors. The medicine acts on the cause of the appearance of heartburn, with functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. Gastroprotective agents create a protective film on the surface of the gastric mucosa, enveloping the walls of the stomach. The drug also envelops the affected areas.
• Alginates. Prescribed for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. The active ingredient alginate enters into a chemical reaction with hydrochloric acid, and a film with a neutral pH is formed on the surface of the stomach contents. The drug has almost no side effects on the body.
• Antisecretory drugs. A group of medicines can reduce the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. It is an effective remedy for the treatment of ulcers, gastritis.

With frequent heartburn, it is forbidden to self-medicate. With the wrong approach to therapy, health conditions can be aggravated. First, the source is determined, then the appropriate treatment is prescribed.

Preventive measures

In order to prevent the burning sensation from recurring, it is recommended to adhere to the rules of a healthy lifestyle. Tips on how to prevent heartburn:

• Proper nutrition, light food. It is recommended to eat foods that do not increase the acidity of the stomach. They belong to the allowed list.
• Meals should be divided throughout the day (5-6 times a day). Eat slowly and chew food thoroughly.
• Eliminate carbonated drinks, pickles, fatty, spicy, spicy foods. The food must be healthy.
• Drink green or herbal tea instead of strong coffee.
• Give up alcoholic beverages, smoking.
• Don't tighten your stomach. Clothes should be comfortable in size. Belts shouldn't be uncomfortable.
• After lunch, walk for at least 30 minutes. You cannot go to rest after eating.
• Exercise to strengthen your abs.
• Avoid stressful situations.
• Avoid overeating. If possible, normalize your body weight.
• Drink your daily amount of water.

Don't ignore persistent bouts of heartburn. Monitor your health. Undergo preventive medical examinations, treat diseases in a timely manner.