Heartburn is commonly used interchangeably with gastroesophageal reflux disease rather than just to describe a symptom of burning in one's chest. Heartburn can be dangerous and hide behind itself more serious illnesses. The main thing is to recognize them in time.
What is heartburn and what are its symptoms
Heartburn is a condition that appears if the contents of the stomach are in the esophagus. In the stomach, as we know, there is acidic gastric juice. It is needed to digest food. When some of this juice enters the esophagus, an unpleasant burning sensation occurs. It can be said that the esophagus burns stomach acid.
Normally, the contents of the stomach do not let out a special valve (sphincter). But sometimes in his work failures occur.
Acid from the stomach into the esophagus is called gastroesophageal reflux, and in a simple way - heartburn. Patient education: Acid reflux (gastroesophageal reflux disease) in adults.
It is manifested by burning in the middle of the chest and an unpleasant sour taste in the mouth. Burning it intensifies when you bend or lie down. Sometimes it is supplemented with hiccups, bad breath or discomfort in the abdomen.
Why does heartburn occur?
From time to time, heartburn appears in everyone. This is not such a terrible condition. Rather unpleasant. Here are some factors of Hearthburn and acid reflux that can cause heartburn:
- Food and drinks. For example, coffee or soda, oily and spicy food.
- Pregnancy. Even a term such is - heartburn pregnant. It is associated with the fact that women are changing the location of the organs due to the growing uterus.
- Excess weight, smoking and alcohol. Yes, these three whales of bad habits affect even heartburn.
- Some medicines. If you get heartburn due to medication, talk to your doctor. Let him replace the remedy or write out an additional one, already for heartburn.
- Stress and emotions.
What helps with heartburn
First, you need to change eating habits. There are fewer and more often that small portions are not "asked to back." Choose healthy foods and not lean on coffee.
Secondly, we must somehow get rid of the factors that cause heartburn provoke. For example, start losing weight and stop smoking.
Third, you can slightly change the position of the bed. Let the head be ten centimeters taller than the legs. To gastric juice just did not "pour" into the esophagus. Or at least did not get to it to the throat.
What medicines are needed for heartburn?
The remedies that are used for heartburn are called hepatburn antacids. They envelop the walls of the esophagus and stomach, so that they can not damage the acid. Heartburn, which manifests itself more than twice a week and constantly accompanies you, is called already differently. Most likely, it is GREB (gastroesophageal reflux disease). A more serious condition, which is treated by a doctor with the help of special strong drugs. Such agents (proton pump inhibitors or H2-receptor blockers) reduce the production of acid in the stomach of the Hearthburn.
Folk recipes like a glass of milk or dissolved soda also help, but not so effectively. So if you have a tendency to heartburn, store something in the medicine cabinet from antacids. In addition, no one checks the folk remedies, and it is better not to experiment.
What is dangerous heartburn?
Basically, it can be confused with other diseases, more serious. For example, with a stomach ulcer or esophagus, cancer or even a heart attack - one of its types is manifested by a burning sensation in the chest.
Therefore, if heartburn is repeated often or is accompanied by other symptoms of Heartburn (difficulty with swallowing, loss of appetite, nausea), be sure to show your doctor. You may need a gastrointestinal examination. Or even treatment of gastritis or ulcers. And learn the symptoms of a heart attack, so as not to miss the call of the ambulance.
