Heartburn: treatment and causes

Heartburn is a condition in which fluid from the stomach enters the esophagus (reflux). This fluid can cause inflammation and damage to the esophageal mucosa, although there are no visible signs of inflammation in most patients. It contains usually acids and pepsin, which are produced in the stomach, and can also contain bile, which gets into it from the duodenum. Acid is believed to be the most harmful component. Bile and pepsin can also damage the esophagus, but their role in causing inflammation and damage is not so obvious as the role of acid.

Why is heartburn?

There are quite a few different factors that cause heartburn: starting from a hernia of the esophageal opening of the diaphragm and ending with the production of abnormally large doses of acid by the stomach. Let us dwell on the most common reasons.

1. Disorders in the lower esophageal sphincter.
Disturbances can be different, but all reduce the ability of the sphincter to contract and prevent backflow of fluid from the stomach.
2. Hernia of the esophageal opening of the diaphragm.
With its presence, a small part of the stomach, which is attached to the esophagus, is pushed up through the diaphragm. Thus, the barrier effect is reduced, and liquid from the stomach can easily get into the esophagus.
3. Abbreviations of the esophagus. In the prevention of heartburn, a large role is played by swallowing, which causes ring waves of contraction of the esophagus muscles, narrowing the lumen of its internal cavity. These abbreviations are called peristalsis. They push food and saliva into the stomach. However, in problems with peristalsis, the acid that enters the esophagus does not return to the stomach. Particular attention is paid to the fact that smoking also significantly reduces the reduction of the esophagus. This effect lasts for at least 6 hours after the last cigarette.

4. Medications. Some medicines may cause or exacerbate heartburn. These are anticholinergics, antihypertensive drugs, bronchodilators, sedatives and tricyclic antidepressants.
5. Pregnancy. Heartburn can be a serious problem during pregnancy. A growing fetus increases the pressure in the abdominal cavity, causing reflux of fluid from the stomach.

Heartburn - treatment and diet

If you are one of the millions of people who suffer from chronic heartburn, you, of course, need to choose a suitable method for its treatment. It can be a lifestyle change, medication or surgery.

Lifestyle

Doctors advise those who have heartburn, treatment to start with a change in lifestyle. This is because about 94% of patients can associate her attacks with specific products. It is important that every person listens to his body, especially if he has heartburn. Diet, as a rule, helps in most cases.

Treatment with medicines

- The antagonists of histamine receptors are used to treat conditions when the stomach produces too much hydrochloric acid ("Famotidine", "Ranisan", "Kwamatel" drugs suppress its production, so heartburn disappears).

- Treatment with antacids, which neutralize the acid in the stomach upon contact. The most popular drugs are "Rennie", "Fosfalugel", "Topalcan", "Maalox", "Almagel", etc.

- Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are a group of prescription drugs that interfere with the secretion of acid in the stomach and intestines. Doctors prescribe PPI to people with heartburn, stomach ulcers or intestines, and also with excessive production of stomach acid ("Omez", "Omeprazole", "Pariet").

- Stimulating agents are used in patients with slow gastric emptying. They (preparations "Reglan", "Domstal", "Metoclopramide", "Gastrosil") accelerate digestion, which prevents acid retention in the stomach, as the result - decreases or disappears heartburn.

Treatment with surgical intervention

- Fundoplication is a standard method of surgical treatment of heartburn, in which the bottom of the stomach is wrapped around the esophagus and forms a peculiar cuff.