Heartburn at night: reasons for what to do

The appearance of a burning sensation in the evenings or in a dream signals the presence of malfunctions in the digestive organs. How serious the disease is is indicated by the frequency of recurrence of symptoms and their intensity. Perhaps there was a reaction of the body to a change in food or overeating. But often recurring symptoms in the evening indicate the need for treatment of diseases.

The main causes of evening and nighttime heartburn

Every time after a plentiful feast, a person is faced with the same situation: an attack of pain and discomfort in the stomach. Severe heartburn at night or in the evening occurs due to eating a large amount of food. The digestive tract does not digest the accumulated food and gives signals about the disruption of its work by heartburn. Also, the presence of alcoholic and carbonated drinks aggravates the situation. Intoxication of the body occurs. The content in the menu of dishes with a high composition of chocolate, onions, black bread, pastries, tomatoes provokes a burning sensation. If you limit the consumption of these foods, you can get rid of the discomfort.

Stress does not contribute to the normal course of the digestive process. During the experience of a strong emotional shock, a signal is sent to the stomach to produce more secretion, which leads to the appearance of the effect of self-digestion of organ tissues.

Medicines acting as antibiotics are a factor in provoking heartburn, not only in the stomach, throat and chest. The occurrence of a hernia on the surface of the food diaphragm is treated under the supervision of a doctor so as not to aggravate the situation.

Heartburn during pregnancy more than 80% of young mothers suffer. Symptoms are especially aggravated in women with a horizontal position of the body. The pressure of the uterus on the organs increases.

Diseases that cause heartburn

Pain and burning sensation in the chest can also cause serious diseases in the gastrointestinal tract.

The factors that provoke the occurrence of a problem in the stomach are:

• Helicobacter pylori. It is considered the main causative agent of the disease. Once in the stomach, the bacterium passes through the protective layer and attaches to the epithelium of the organ wall. The process of neutralizing the mucous membrane and converting the composition into ammonia begins. The microbe multiplies, the affected area increases. Lack of treatment leads to the emergence of a focus of the inflammatory process. Further, the death of wall tissues continues, gastritis becomes chronic. Gastritis manifests itself very clearly at night, when a person has an empty stomach. Non-compliance with dietary nutrition can also provoke it.

• Stomach ulcer. The disease is a complication after chronic gastritis if no treatment is received. With an ulcer, wounds appear in the walls of the organ, periodically bleeding. Subsequently, the inflammatory process, continuing in the ulcers, breaks through the organ wall through and through, which can only be treated with surgery. Also characterized by the appearance at night. This is due not only to the lack of food in the stomach, but also to the position of the body.
• Duodenitis. Disease of the duodenum. The inflamed mucous membrane of the organ is capable of provoking heartburn, pain syndrome, bloating.
• Cholecystitis. Damage to the gallbladder. The reasons for the occurrence lie in the patient's nutrition, in the emotional state. Sometimes the cause is a congenital anomaly in the shape of an organ, an allergy that occurs or a change in hormonal levels. They also contribute to the inflammatory processes of the infection. Distinguish between acute and chronic forms of cholecystitis. It is the chronic form of the disease that provokes a burning sensation in the chest, throat and stomach during sleep or in the evening.
• The appearance of other diseases of the internal organs of the digestive system.

Therapy should be aimed at eliminating the cause of the occurrence, and not at combating the symptoms. What should be done to correct the situation?

Several ways to get rid of the symptom

But if heartburn is caught by surprise and torments, there is no opportunity to see a doctor, then it is worth using several ways to get rid of heartburn at home, without the use of medicines:

1. It is necessary to take a closer look at the pillow and replace it with a more comfortable product. Sleep to relieve heartburn should take place with the head raised in relation to the position of the body.

1. Try not to eat before bed. In the evening, eat a light dinner, the food should not be greasy, then go to bed after 2-3 hours.
2. If the patient is taking analgesics, then stop taking them or replace with a similar drug.
3. Follow the prescribed diet.
4. Doctors recommend giving preference to a sleeping position on the left side. This reduces the likelihood of recurrence of heartburn.
5. If the nightwear is squeezing the abdominal area, it also causes a burning sensation. It is necessary to change night clothes, use more comfortable and not squeezing clothes.

Drug therapy

Drug treatment is an effective way to get rid of heartburn, provided that the doctor's recommendations and instructions for use are followed.

Antacids

The main action of the drug is aimed at eliminating the negative effects of hydrochloric acid, due to which the irritation of the mucous membrane decreases, the pain sensations are removed and the regeneration process begins in the stomach fabrics. The main purpose is received by drugs belonging to the group of non-absorbed antacids. The main active ingredient in such drugs: aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, aluminum phosphate, magnesium trisilicate.

The average duration of drug action is 3 hours. In turn, drugs are divided into several types according to their composition:

• Phosphalugel. The drug contains aluminum phosphate. The effectiveness depends on the rate of acidity in the stomach. The higher the pH, the more productive the effect is. A positive point in the medicine is the absence of the effect of alkalizing the contents of the organ. The drug works until the acidity returns to normal. In the future, the neutralizing effect of Phosphalugel decreases and fades away.
• Almagel - contains magnesium and aluminum, eliminates the symptoms of various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract: ulcers, gastritis, duodenitis, esophagitis. Helps to remove heartburn, pain. Also similar in composition and action are: Maalox, Gastal.
• Another type of medicines contains a combination of active ingredients: aluminum, magnesium-silicon, sodium-calcium. An effective action can occur due to the joint work of antacid and alginate. Once in the stomach, the agent creates a mechanical barrier to prevent gastric juice from entering the esophagus canal.

In addition to reducing acidity, antacids have the ability to envelop the mucous membrane and walls of the stomach, creating a layer that protects the organ from the negative effects of secretions.

Preparations for reducing gastric juice

Medicines aimed at reducing the production of gastric secretions. This favors a gradual decrease in acidity and a slowdown in the vigorous activity of the digestive tract. These medicines include: Omez, Omeprazole, Ranitidine.

Solutions

After the surgery, the patient will experience heartburn attacks and pain in the stomach area. For elimination, use solutions of acetic or citric acid.

The disadvantage of using medicines is the presence of contraindications for use and the possible consequences. Also important is the cost of drugs on the shelves of pharmacies. The price is not always available.

Traditional medicine tips

Prescriptions of a natural pharmacy are much cheaper than their drug counterparts at a cost, and are much safer in terms of side effects. Also, the effect is associated not only with getting rid of the painful burning sensation in the chest, but also with the restoration and strengthening of the body's immune system:

• Viburnum jam. The plant is prepared from fresh berries. They are ground with sugar, water is added and boiled. For a long-term effective effect, take the remedy several times daily, 1 tablespoon.
• Potato juice with honey. It helps to get rid of the symptoms of gastritis or peptic ulcer disease.
• Aloe juice. Evening procedure: before bedtime 1 tsp. the juice of the plant will help relieve the symptoms of an exacerbation of the disease. It must be taken diluted.
• Celery. Prepare the infusion: 2 teaspoons of chopped roots and a glass of hot water. The remedy is great for treating heartburn.

Prophylaxis

Using only treatment, and not taking other measures, it will not work to get a long-term absence of heartburn. The patient needs to follow a few more rules and recommendations at home to restore health:

• Give up smoking and alcohol.
• Avoid physical activity.
• Follow a diet.
• Do not drink strong tea and coffee.