Heartburn: when to endure and when to run to the hospital

What is heartburn and what are its symptoms

Heartburn is a condition that occurs when stomach contents are trapped 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. We can say that the stomach acid burns the esophagus.

Normally, a special valve (sphincter) does not release the contents of the stomach. But sometimes there are failures in his work.

The ingress of acid from the stomach into the esophagus is called gastroesophageal reflux, or in a simple way - heartburn.

It manifests itself as a burning sensation in the middle of the chest and an unpleasant sour taste in the mouth. This burning sensation intensifies when you bend over or lie down. This is sometimes accompanied by hiccups, bad breath, or abdominal discomfort.

Why does heartburn appear?

Everybody gets heartburn from time to time. This is not such a terrible condition. Rather unpleasant. Here are some factors that can cause heartburn:

Food and drinks. For example, coffee or soda, oily and spicy foods.
Pregnancy. There is even such a term - heartburn of pregnant women. It is associated with the fact that women change the location of their organs due to the growing uterus.
Overweight, smoking and alcohol. Yes, these three whales of bad habits even affect heartburn.
Certain medications. 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 anxiety.

What helps with heartburn

First, you need to change your eating habits. Eat smaller and more often, so that small portions do not "ask back". Choose healthy foods and don't eat too much coffee.

Secondly, it is necessary to somehow get rid of the factors that provoke heartburn. For example, start losing weight and quit smoking.

Thirdly, you can slightly change the position of the bed. Let the head be ten centimeters higher than the legs. So that gastric juice simply does not "pour out" into the esophagus. Or at least he didn't get to his throat.

What medicines are needed for heartburn

The remedies used for heartburn are called antacids. They wrap around the walls of the esophagus and stomach to prevent acid damage. Heartburn, which occurs more than twice a week and constantly accompanies you, is called differently. This is most likely GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). A more serious condition that is treated by a doctor with special strong drugs. These drugs (proton pump inhibitors or H2 receptor blockers) reduce stomach acid production.

Folk recipes like a glass of milk or dissolved baking soda also help, but not as effectively. So if you have a tendency to heartburn, keep an antacid in your medicine cabinet. In addition, no one tests folk remedies, and it is better not to experiment on yourself.

Why heartburn is dangerous

Mainly because it can be confused with other more serious diseases. For example, with an ulcer of the stomach or esophagus, cancer or even a heart attack - one of its types is just a burning sensation in the chest.

Therefore, if heartburn recurs frequently or is accompanied by other symptoms (difficulty swallowing, loss of appetite, nausea), be sure to see a doctor. You may need a gastrointestinal examination. Or even treating gastritis or ulcers. And learn the symptoms of a heart attack so you don't miss an ambulance call.