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Heartburn is an unpleasant burning sensation in the lower chest caused by difficulty digesting food. This is a fiery burning sensation inside the esophagus and stomach, which feels as if in the heart area, but in fact it is not so. It occurs in the esophagus, the swallowing tube that passes next to the heart, so it seems to us that the heart is burning-burning. This bad feeling is caused by acid reflux from the stomach. It's curable. Other related names are cardialgia or acid indigestion.

What is heartburn turning into a disease?

Heartburn is caused by stomach acid entering the esophagus (reflux), which passes through the chest, close to the heart. Heartburn is an accidental symptom for many modern people and a chronic disease for others that occur frequently. If the disease is chronic, then you may have GREB - gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Who usually has heartburn?

Many people have heartburn from time to time. It can be caused by especially abundant, stale, spicy or spicy, acidic food or additional pressure in the abdomen, for example, during pregnancy. Regular heartburn is a symptom of chronic acid reflux (GERD), which is also very common. Approximately 20% of people in the United States suffer from GERD. Risk factors include obesity (body mass index or BMI over 30) and overweight (BMI over 25), smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke.

When does heartburn occur most often?

You may notice heartburn more often when:

• In a supine position.
• In the pose of bending over. anything.
• If you had a late dinner.
• If you ate a hearty, sour or spicy meal.

How long can heartburn last?

Heartburn can last from a few minutes to several hours. It should pass when the last meal leaves the stomach. Once the contents of the stomach are emptied, there will be nothing left that could come back (reflux). Depending on the meal, it may take two to five hours for the stomach to digest the food. Rich and fatty foods take longer to digest in the stomach. If you lie down or bend over, the symptoms may return even after you feel better.

What other symptoms of heartburn exist?

It can sometimes be difficult to distinguish heartburn from other types of chest pain. The following concomitant symptoms will help you distinguish heartburn from a heart attack or other esophageal diseases.

If heartburn is caused by acid reflux, you may have:

1. Belching.
2. Sour taste in the mouth.
3. Nausea.
4. Regurgitation of food without nausea (regurgitation).

Other atypical symptoms of acid reflux include:

• Bloating.
• Hiccups.
• Chronic cough.
• Exacerbation of asthma.
• Sore throat.
• Laryngitis.
• Difficulty swallowing.
• Chest pain, similar to angina pectoris.

What causes heartburn?

In GERD, heartburn occurs when gastric juices, including acids and enzymes, enter back into the esophagus. Your stomach has a thick mucous membrane that protects it from these substances, but your esophagus does not. It is assumed that a valve in the lower part of the esophagus, called the lower esophageal sphincter, prevents the contents of the stomach from rising back up. But sometimes it is weak or does not close completely.

The causes of heartburn and acid reflux

• are certain foods and beverages such as coffee, tomatoes, alcohol, chocolate, fatty or spicy foods.
• overweight.
• smoking vapes, cigarettes and smoking mixtures.
• pregnancy.
• stress and anxiety.
• an increase in certain types of hormones such as progesterone and estrogen.

Different things can weaken or relax your lower esophageal sphincter, for example:

• Smoke inhalation.
• Increased pressure on the abdominal cavity due to body weight, tight clothes or pregnancy.
• Hernia of the esophageal orifice of the diaphragm, in which the stomach is pushed through the diaphragm.
• Heavy food stretches the stomach and stays in it longer.
• Indigestion and gas formation, when gas bubbles rise through the gastrointestinal tract.
• If you go to bed too early after eating.
• Some products, including coffee, chocolate, citrus fruits, mint and tomato sauce.
• Some medications, including birth control pills and blood pressure medications.

Why do I suddenly have heartburn that I've never had before?

If heartburn is a relatively new phenomenon for you and you have not recently changed your diet or lifestyle, it may also occur for some other reasons that may develop gradually over time. For example:

1. Aging of the body. With age, heartburn can develop or worsen due to weakening of the muscles, including the lower esophageal sphincter.
2. Body weight gain. Most people gain weight gradually, but symptoms of weight gain (such as heartburn) may appear suddenly when you reach a certain threshold.
3. New or old medicines. If you have recently changed or added new medications, they may cause acid reflux.

Is heartburn always caused by acid reflux?

Heartburn is usually a disease of the esophagus, the most likely cause of which is acid reflux. But there are several other conditions that can cause the same feeling.

For example:

Ulcers of the esophagus. Ulcers are ulcers caused by erosion of the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract. They cause a characteristic burning pain. Ulcers in the esophagus are much less common than in the stomach or intestines. If they do occur, it is usually due to acid reflux. But reflux is not the only possible cause. Excessive use of NSAIDs such as aspirin and ibuprofen can also lead to ulcers.
Esophagitis. Severe inflammation in the esophagus can cause a burning sensation. The causes may be GERD itself, viruses, fungal infections and some medications. Allergic disease of the esophagus (eosinophilic esophagitis) It can also lead to heartburn.
Hypersensitivity to functional heartburn/reflux. Functional gastrointestinal disorders are disorders of the connection between the intestine and the brain, that is, how the nervous system transmits sensations in the digestive system to the brain. Functional heartburn feels like classic heartburn, but there are no signs of acid reflux, erosion, or inflammation. Hypersensitivity to heartburn is caused by non-acid reflux. Increased nerve activity may contribute to a burning sensation (visceral hypersensitivity).

Is heartburn serious?

Periodic heartburn is a common occurrence, and most people can manage it with small adjustments. But if this happens all the time, you may need medical attention. Do not leave chronic heartburn untreated. Pain in the esophagus usually means that it is damaged, and over time it can cause serious damage.

When the mucous membrane of the esophagus is permanently injured, it can lead to long-term complications such as:

Strictures of the esophagus. When the tissues lining the esophagus are constantly inflamed, over time they can begin to be replaced by scar tissue. Since the esophagus is essentially a long tube, this inflammation and scarring will lead to a narrowing of the esophagus (stricture). This can lead to swallowing problems and food getting stuck in the esophagus.

How is heartburn diagnosed?

Heartburn is a feeling that you will describe to your doctor. Most medical professionals recognize heartburn by its description. Perhaps they don't need to figure out if it is periodic or light. But if the doctor suspects that you have a chronic disease, he may want to examine your esophagus for signs of damage. He can refer you to a gastroenterologist, a specialist in the gastrointestinal tract, for a diagnosis.

Intestinal metaplasia. Sometimes, instead of scarring, tissues undergo changes of a different kind. This is called intestinal metaplasia because they become more like the lining of the intestine. When it occurs in the esophagus, it is also called Barrett's esophagus. This is considered a precancerous condition.

Cancer of the esophagus. Esophageal cancer develops in only a small percentage of people. But there is a direct pathway from chronic inflammation (esophagitis) to cellular changes (Barrett's esophagus) that lead to cancer. The greater the risk, the more severe your heartburn is and the longer it remains untreated.

Acid reflux, which causes heartburn, may also indicate other hidden problems in your digestive system. For example, there may be too much acid in the stomach, which can cause complications such as gastritis and stomach ulcers. Acid reflux can also worsen asthma or other chronic respiratory diseases. If heartburn gets into the throat, it can cause swelling and lead to the formation of ulcers and neoplasms in it.

How and how is heartburn treated?

You can treat heartburn at home with over-the-counter medications and lifestyle adjustments. But with frequent heartburn, you may need prescription medications. Medications reduce the flow of acid from the stomach into the esophagus. But they do not eliminate the initial problem with the lower esophageal sphincter. If medications do not help, you may need additional treatment at the Academy of Regenerative Medicine. In ARM, we use only those techniques that are natural and activate the hidden forces and capabilities of the body. You can sign up for the course or write to us on the website. Or send a message right here.

Can you stop heartburn on your own?

To prevent heartburn or stop its occurrence, you can try several methods. Avoid eating just before bedtime. If you allow yourself at least 2-3 hours to digest food before going to bed, this will reduce the risk of heartburn. Limit alcohol consumption.

Does milk help with heartburn?

Milk has its pros and cons when it comes to relieving heartburn. While protein and calcium from skimmed milk can buffer stomach acid, fatty milk can exacerbate the symptoms of heartburn. Despite this, can you try using low-fat milk (1-2.5%) skimmed or skimmed milk? or even switch to milk substitutes if you think it suits you better.

Do bananas help heartburn?

If you are struggling with heartburn on your own, then bananas can help prevent the production of stomach acid, as well as help the digestive system work like clockwork. Bananas are a low-acid or alkaline fruit that can help neutralize stomach acid by covering the irritated mucous membrane of the esophagus. But these fruits are not only alkaline, they are also rich in pectins — soluble fibers that help food pass well through the digestive tract.

Is yogurt useful for acid reflux?

Not too sour yogurt is also great for acid reflux due to probiotics that help normalize intestinal function. Yogurt also provides protein and soothes stomach discomfort, often causing a feeling of coolness. It's easy to choose foods by inspecting them for additives and preservatives to see how acidic they are.

What fruits are useful for heartburn?

Melons, bananas, apples and pears contain essential nutrients and are less likely to cause reflux symptoms than sour fruits such as oranges. As a snack, fruits are less likely to cause acid reflux than foods with added fats and sugar, such as chocolate.

Is it worth eating when I have heartburn?

If you have heartburn, you should eat oatmeal, sweet potatoes, ginger, chicken broth, fennel, skimmed milk, herbs, olive oil and lean meat.

What are the top 8 most acid-boosting foods?

Foods and drinks that increase the level of acidity are:

1. grains.
2. sugar.
3. certain dairy products.
4. fish.
5. processed foods.
6. fresh meat and processed meats such as corned beef and turkey.
7. carbonated and other sweetened drinks.
8. high-protein foods and supplements.

Does coffee cause heartburn?

Yes, unfortunately for lovers of this drink, coffee causes heartburn due to its acidity. Coffee is a common trigger for heartburn among other acidic foods such as tomatoes and citrus fruits. If you find that coffee causes heartburn, don't worry — there are many ways to reduce symptoms, including low-acidity coffee or its alternatives. Such as chicory and its derivatives, as well as fried barley.

What foods cause heartburn?

Foods to avoid, as they are common causes for acid reflux:

• Spicy food.
• Fatty or fried food.
• Cocoa and chocolate.
• Sour foods and drinks.
• Citrus fruits: lemon, lime, oranges and tangerines, pomelo grapefruit.
• Tomatoes.
• Garlic and onion.
• Pepper.
• Various carbonated drinks or seltzer water.
• Caffeinated drinks such as coffee, mate, cola, energy drinks and tea.
• Alcohol.

How to make the body less acidic?

Creation of an alkaline environment inside the body

1. Increase the intake of vitamins and minerals through the choice of food and supplements.
2. Planning nutritious meals and snacks.
3. Reducing sugar and caffeine intake.
4. Following a diet is an important factor in maintaining blood sugar levels.
5. Drink more clean or boiled water.

What foods soothe the acidity of the stomach?

Choose foods such as:

• Celery.
• Cucumber.
• Lettuce.
• Watermelon.
• Soups based on broth.
• Herbal tea.

Do minerals and mineral water help with acid reflux?

Magnesium is a common ingredient in antacid medications. It can help reduce the symptoms of acid reflux by neutralizing stomach acid. Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid flows back through the lower esophageal sphincter into the esophagus. Mineral water rich in bicarbonate can qualitatively and quantitatively reduce the symptoms of heartburn and improve the subjective well-being of patients.