Heartburn - what is it, causes, symptoms, remedies

Heartburn manifests itself with discomfort and burning behind the sternum. The unpleasant feeling is provoked by the penetration into the esophagus of gastric contents, characterized by increased acidity. Acidic environment for the stomach is a normal phenomenon, without it the digestive process is impossible. As for the esophagus, it is intended solely for the movement of food. The penetration of stomach acid into it irritates the mucosa. 

Symptomatology, which is accompanied by heartburn

The main signs of heartburn are considered to be:

• belching;
• flatulence;
• A feeling of nausea (does not always occur).

In most cases, heartburn appears after a meal and can last from two hours or more. When lying down and when you bend your torso, the feeling intensifies. Some people say that heartburn causes difficulty swallowing and interferes with normal sleep. In patients with asthma, it can cause coughing and make it difficult to breathe.

Some people mistake heartburn for a burning sensation in the chest, provoked by disorders of the heart, this happens with angina pectoris. But this pathology most often appears after physical activity and has nothing to do with food intake. Angina-induced burning goes away after taking heart medications prescribed by the doctor. But heart medications have no effect on heartburn. If such drugs helped to cope with an unpleasant feeling behind the sternum, then you need to be examined by a cardiologist.

Factors that trigger heartburn

Even healthy people are prone to heartburn. The causes of its appearance may be different. Usually it occurs against the background of the use of certain products, this list can include spices, coffee, citrus fruits.

Most often, heartburn is provoked by overeating. A large amount of food leads to distension of the stomach, the penetration of air in the lumen into the esophagus, at the same time there may be a little bit of gastric contents.

To avoid heartburn, you should not consume large amounts of oranges and other citrus fruits. Their juice contributes to an increase in gastric acidity, irritating the mucosa. Heartburn may also be provoked by too spicy food, large quantities of coffee or its excessive strength.

Fizzy drinks also lead to increased gas. Gases accumulate in the stomach and then begin to escape through the esophagus in the form of belching, and drops of gastric contents irritate the mucosa.

Heartburn is caused by stressful situations and physical activity immediately after a meal, excessive pressure in the abdomen. People who abuse smoking are prone to this pathology. Tobacco smoke causes increased production of gastric juice and irritation of the mucosa.

Many women suffer from heartburn during pregnancy. The enlarged uterus increases the pressure in the abdominal cavity. A similar picture is observed in people who are overweight. Heartburn can also occur due to tight clothing which squeezes the abdomen. Often it acts as a sign of gastrointestinal pathologies.

How can I get rid of it?

To get rid of heartburn take adsorbents, means, which have an enveloping effect, reducing acidity. In such cases, soda helps well, but it is not recommended to take it regularly. If heartburn appears periodically, it may be a consequence of some chronic illness. In order to understand whether this is the case, it is necessary to examine and consult a gastroenterologist.