Persistent heartburn: causes and treatment

Unpleasant sensations and burning sensations in the stomach, esophagus are sensations that every person has encountered at least once in his life. And this condition is called heartburn.

This is a relatively harmless pathological process, which for the most part is the body's reaction to the wrong food.

However, when such a phenomenon becomes regular, it is a good reason to consult a specialist, since this can become a symptom of quite dangerous diseases.

That is why it is necessary to know what is persistent heartburn, the causes and how is the treatment carried out?

What is this pathological process

Chronic heartburn is a non-independent disease, and one of the components of the clinical picture. Heartburn manifests itself through rather negative sensations and a characteristic burning sensation in the chest, upper abdomen and neck.

As a situational phenomenon, heartburn does not pose a danger to human health.

However, the manifestation of such a phenomenon over a long period of time can lead to gastroesophageal reflux pathology. And as a consequence, to the development of serious complications for human health.

Constant heartburn occurs in approximately the same proportions in both women and men.

Moreover, according to the World Health Organization, most often, this condition manifests itself at the age of 30 to 50 years.

In addition, heartburn can also appear in childhood, and especially during pregnancy.

Varieties

At the moment, heartburn includes several main types:

1. the epigastric form often manifests itself through discomfort and burning sensation in the epigastric region;
2. pharyngeal variety, characterized by an unpleasant condition in the throat;
3. retrosternal chronic heartburn, manifested by a characteristic, acute burning sensation localized behind the sternum.

Pharyngeal heartburn, unlike other types, is not chronic. Often this form is typical for the period of pregnancy or with drug, alcohol addiction, malnutrition.

Chronic pathology symptoms

If heartburn occurs often enough, then experts can talk about a chronic form. And conduct diagnostic studies in order to identify the reasons why this condition has developed.

In addition, additional symptomatology is important for correct diagnosis. So heartburn can be accompanied by the following symptoms:

• Sour belching after eating;
• Pain syndrome in the stomach;
• Spasms of various kinds;
• Disorders in the gastrointestinal tract: nausea, diarrhea, bloating;
• Fever condition;
• The taste of bitterness and acidity in the mouth;
• Increased sweating;
• Intense sore throat.

When these symptoms appear, it is necessary to consult a specialist, since constant heartburn and accompanying symptoms may indicate the development of a serious pathology.

Please note that in this case, it is necessary to treat not only the symptom itself, but also the reason that led to its appearance.

Causes

The main reason that can lead to the development of heartburn is a decrease in the functionality of the esophageal sphincter, which leads to reflux.

In addition, heartburn can develop if the content of hydrochloric acid in the gastric juice is exceeded.

However, such reasons can be presented only in the role of "levers" of development. In this case, pathological conditions in the body are formed under the influence of various kinds of mechanisms.

Among them are noted:

• Chronic gastritis with an increased level of acidity, in this case, heartburn appears about a quarter of an hour after eating; in addition, the patient may note pain in the epigastric region as a concomitant symptom;
• Cholecystitis, gallstone disease
• Chronic ulcer, if a violation occurs in the stomach, heartburn occurs half an hour after eating, if the focus is localized in the duodenum, then after about 1-2 hours;
• Gastroesophageal reflux pathology in this case often manifests itself not only heartburn, but also sour belching, similar conditions occur half an hour after eating.

In addition, the list of factors provoking the development of heartburn includes: pregnancy, taking medications, improper lifestyle.

In a delicate period of a woman's life, heartburn can occur as a result of increased intra-abdominal pressure, against the background of which reflux develops and, therefore, the symptoms themselves.

The reasons for the appearance of heartburn after taking medications are that many drugs often negatively affect the organs of the gastrointestinal tract and provoke an increase acidity.

Such pharmacological products include: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, antibiotics and antihypertensive drugs.

Wrong lifestyle, abuse of bad habits can also lead to the development of unpleasant sensations from the gastrointestinal tract.

In particular, this is heartburn, and acid belching, and pain syndrome. Because smoking, alcohol, substance abuse and even unhealthy food constantly and regularly harm the entire body.

Other provoking factors

In addition to pathological processes that can lead to the development of heartburn, a similar condition can occur as a result of an improper diet.

That is why treatment and prevention in such a case involves the observance of some general recommendations and the exclusion of negative products.

Some of the things that should be avoided when drawing up your menu include:

• all types of mushrooms;
• hot seasonings and spices;
• fatty and fried foods;
• smoked meats and marinades;
• chocolate, cakes, sweets;
• cabbage, garlic;
• seafood and fatty meat;
• fresh bread and pastries.

It is recommended to give preference to fresh vegetables and fruits, low-fat dairy products, meat and fish.

If these preventive rules are observed, the development of gastrointestinal diseases can be prevented.

Diagnostics

To find out the reason why this pathological process began to manifest itself, which became a provoking factor, complex diagnostics are used.

Chronic heartburn involves a thorough history taking, instrumental and laboratory studies.

After that, the specialist can develop a complex narrowly targeted therapy. Diagnostic methods include:

• A general blood test, which detects the level of leukocytes, hemoglobin and erythrocytes. Deviations from the norm indicate the development of pathological processes in the body.
• A biochemical test performed to detect dysfunction of the gallbladder, pancreas, and liver.
• Stool examination, characterizing the state of the gastrointestinal tract organs, possible violation of microflora.
• EGD is one of the modern studies that allows you to visualize the state of the mucous membrane of the esophagus, duodenum, stomach. In addition, it allows you to identify inflammatory processes, ulcers, neoplasms.
• Esophagomanometry, which determines the pressure in the esophagus. This method allows you to find out the indicators of the functions of the lower and upper esophageal sphincters, the peristalsis of the esophagus.

Only after carrying out the diagnosis and receiving all the necessary tests, the attending physician can diagnose and prescribe treatment.

Therapeutic complex

Depending on the disease that led to the development of the pathological condition, the treatment itself is chosen directly.

Most often, conservative treatment is used, which involves taking the following groups of medicines:

• Pharmacological drugs that reduce acidity - gastroprotectors. As a rule, these funds are distinguished by mild compositions, which have a beneficial effect on the body.
• Treatment for low acidity involves the use of enzymes.
• Complexes of multivitamins, as a rule, also prescribe an additional course of B vitamins.
• Drugs aimed at improving the motor processes in the esophagus.
• Pain relievers to help manage pain.
• Antacids, which effectively neutralize hydrochloric acid and, therefore, reduce acidity quite effectively.

It should be noted that the correct and complex therapy is prescribed by a specialist after conducting diagnostic studies.

Self-treatment not only does not improve the condition, but also negatively affects the general condition of the body and provokes the development of consequences.

Complications

Constant heartburn is far from a harmless process in the body. As a rule, it is a sign of a rather serious violation.

In this regard, a prolonged and regular burning sensation, accompanying symptoms requires an immediate visit to a gastroenterologist.

Absence or late treatment not only negatively affects health, but also sometimes leads to death.

The negative effects of heartburn include:

• The long-term effect of acid on the lining of the esophagus leads to inflammation and esophagitis.
• Erosion, peptic ulcers, which can cause internal bleeding.
• Cicatricial narrowing that complicates and interferes with the normal functioning of the esophagus.
• In some cases, mucosal degeneration or Barrett's syndrome may occur. This process is considered precancerous and increases the risk of developing cancer.

Constant heartburn, most often, is one of the clinical signs of pathology of the gastrointestinal tract.

A similar condition, as a rule, is accompanied by other extremely unpleasant symptoms and worsens the general condition of a person.

Treatment of this process begins with finding out the cause, since it is useless to influence only the symptoms in this case.

In addition, in the absence or incorrect therapy, the disease will progress and, as a result, lead to serious complications.

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