Heartburn – causes, treatment and prevention

Heartburn

Heartburn is a burning and painful sensation behind the breastbone. The exact location of heartburn is in the esophagus, which carries food to the stomach. For example, most people have had heartburn after drinking too much alcohol or eating foods that are too fatty.

What is heartburn?

The gastric acid flowing back into the esophagus through the sphincter muscle of the stomach is responsible for heartburn. In the stomach , the stomach acid breaks down the chyme and also kills harmful germs and bacteria .

The stomach itself is protected by its acid-resistant lining. If stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, it causes heartburn because the esophagus does not have this protective mucous membrane. The bacterium [[Helicobacter can be the cause of heartburn, but persistent everyday stress or excessive demands can also be the cause of heartburn.

Those affected feel heartburn or pressure or pain behind the breastbone, especially when lying down. Nausea , vomiting , irritation of the throat , hoarseness , difficulty swallowing, acid regurgitation and waking up at night can be other side effects of heartburn.

The doctor will use the symptoms described to make the exact diagnosis and suggest an effective treatment. In order to achieve an accurate diagnosis of heartburn, the doctor may consider a completely painless gastroscopy to be useful.

causes

Functional disorders of the esophagus, the stomach, the small intestine and the associated weakening of the gastric sphincter ( reflux disease ) are common causes of heartburn.The bacterium Helicobacter can be diagnosed by the doctor as a trigger for heartburn. Constant stress and being overwhelmed in everyday life, an unhealthy lifestyle caused by drinking too much alcohol and high-fat foods are other reasons for recurring heartburn.

The hormonal changes during pregnancy can weaken the gastric sphincter. If the uterus also presses on the stomach, this leads to heartburn. Taking certain medications, hormone preparations or painkillers can also be causes of heartburn.

When to the doctor?

Heartburn can occur in many people and does not necessarily have to be treated by a doctor. Heartburn often occurs after eating very greasy or very sweet foods and is very common with increased consumption of these foods . However, if the heartburn is severe and occurs very often, a doctor must be consulted. Heartburn can quickly lead to other diseases and the development of cancer, which is why a doctor must be consulted urgently.

However, the patient can treat the symptom himself if the heartburn is not too severe. This includes, above all, changing your diet to a light diet with little fat, salt or sugar. This protects the stomach and reduces heartburn. The treatment can also be done with drugs from the pharmacy. If the heartburn occurs only rarely and is not particularly severe, a visit to the doctor is not necessary. With frequent complaints and severe burns, a doctor must conduct an examination and propose treatment. In most cases, a positive course of the disease develops.

diagnosis and course

If heartburn occurs more frequently, it is essential that the diagnosis is secured with the help of a doctor. He can determine whether the respective heartburn needs to be treated or whether the reflux disease is behind it. In order to obtain an exact diagnosis, the anamnesis (medical history) of the patient is recorded. For this purpose, questions are asked such as:

  • Are medications taken?
  • How long have the complaints existed?
  • Is the heartburn worse when lying down or after eating?

This is usually followed by a careful physical examination.

If reflux disease is suspected as the cause of heartburn, the stomach, esophagus and duodenum (esophago-gastro-duodendoscopy) can be examined to make a reliable diagnosis. Here the doctor can see whether the mucous membrane of these areas is possibly inflamed. With the help of a so-called 24-hour pH meter, the pH value (acid content) within the lower esophagus, and thus also the backflow of the stomach contents, can be continuously measured. Heartburn can sometimes be diagnosed through exams. This includes, for example, X -rays and ultrasound examinations ( sonography ).

With heartburn, there is pressure in the stomach and burning in the area of ​​the breastbone, sometimes up to the throat. Stomach acid often rises with it, and half-digested food can also appear, especially if the person bends over or their belt is tighter. Unpleasant heartburn (reflux = Latin reflux) usually disappears quickly and independently. A digestive walk helps optimally, an afternoon nap much less. Some people also experience heartburn when they are hungry or have not eaten for a long time. Others, on the other hand, complain of discomfort when grief and stress increase. Sometimes with heartburn, the burning pain is less, but there is a hoarse voice or morning cough.

complications

If heartburn occurs repeatedly, the backflowing gastric acid can damage the mucous membrane of the esophagus and cause inflammation (reflux oesophagitis). If this is not treated, ulcers (ulcerations) often develop. Deep ulcers can cause bleeding, and prolonged blood loss often results in anemia . In rare cases, an ulcer ruptures the wall of the esophagus, allowing stomach contents to leak into the chest and, in a short time, life-threatening blood poisoningcan trigger. Acid burns in the esophageal mucosa can lead to scarring and subsequent narrowing of the esophagus. These become noticeable through swallowing difficulties, in the advanced stage a complete closure of the esophagus often occurs.

Another complication of heartburn is what is known as Barrett’s esophagus: the surface tissue of the esophagus, which normally consists of squamous epithelium, is transformed into columnar epithelium, which is usually found in the intestine. Barrett’s esophagus is considered a precursor to esophageal cancer. Stomach acid that penetrates into the oral cavity during heartburn damages the tooth enamel and can cause inflammation in the oral cavity. Chronic hoarseness and constant urge to cough are also often due to heartburn. In some cases, the backflowing gastric acid triggers asthma attacks or a glottis spasm.

treatment and therapy

In the case of short-term heartburn, over-the-counter medicines can be used in the pharmacy. However, if heartburn is prolonged or permanent, it is imperative that you see a doctor. The constant irritation can cause serious inflammation that can promote the formation of cancer cells.

Depending on the diagnosis, the doctor will suggest a suitable therapy for heartburn. In most cases, acid-inhibiting or acid-binding (antacid) drugs are administered, which provide permanent relief from the symptoms and protect the gastric mucosa.

There are effective medications that curb the formation of stomach acid. Other medications prevent stomach acid from entering the stomach. If stress and hectic pace are the cause of heartburn, additional relaxation measures should supplement the drug therapy.

If a stomach ulcer is the trigger for heartburn, a combination therapy of acid-suppressing preparations and an effective antibiotic is often used. Medications that speed up bowel movements help to transport stomach acid out of the stomach more quickly.

Medicinal plants in the form of drops and effective herbal teas can provide relief for minor symptoms. For example, aniseed, fennel and caraway are recommended. Surgical intervention is rarely necessary for heartburn.

prevention

A healthy lifestyle is the most effective way to prevent heartburn. In mild cases, avoiding fatty foods and excessive alcohol consumption is enough to prevent the symptoms described from occurring. After heavy eating and drinking, you should make sure that your head is positioned slightly higher than your stomach area when lying down.

Overweight people should lose a few pounds if they have heartburn. If you also give up smoking and build enough relaxation phases into your everyday life, you have already done a lot to prevent heartburn.

Dorothy Farrar

Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.

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