Heartburn is a common digestive complaint which affects an estimated 15 million Americans every day, and 60 million once a month . Relief of mild heartburn is typically achieved through diet and lifestyle changes , although medication ( antacids, for example) is usually necessary if heartburn is caused by gastro esophageal reflux disease (GED ) .
What is heartburn ? What are the symptoms ?
Heartburn is a digestive problem that has nothing to do with your heart . It occurs when small amounts of stomach acid accidentally up the esophagus (the alimentary canal extending from the mouth to the stomach) , causing symptoms such as a burning sensation in the chest that goes up to the throat. Sufferers may even taste the liquid in the bottom of the mouth, and this is called acid indigestion . In many cases , the pain and burning sensation is relatively mild , but sometimes is so severe that patients think they are experiencing a heart attack.
What are the causes of heartburn ?
In general, the immediate cause of heartburn is acidic digestive juices that leave the stomach and esophagus rise . The acid burns the tissues of the esophagus causing inflammation and pain - a condition called esophagi. Heartburn can also occur during pregnancy when the baby is pressing against the underside of the membrane and tightening the stomach. An occasional episode of acid - regurgitation or indigestion is quite normal . But persistent heartburn (Beg twice a week), is usually a sign of something more serious. The two most common symptoms of heartburn causes are gastro esophageal reflux disease (GED ) and Chantal hernia.
Gastro esophageal Reflux Disease
GED is characterized by a defect in the muscle valve , known as the lower esophageal sphincter (LES ) , which is located at the bottom of the esophagus. The function of this valve is to keep the acid in the stomach and prevent leak back into the esophagus. When this valve does not work properly , reflux ( leak back ) and heartburn may occur. The factors that contribute to disease gastro esophageal reflux disease include obesity , pregnancy , smoking and , in particular, a Chantal hernia.
Chantal hernia
Or Chantal hernia is a condition in which a part of the hernia of the stomach ( projection ) upwardly in the trunk through the gap ( opening ) in the diaphragm normally occupied by the esophagus. This puts extra pressure on the LES valve preventing it from closing properly . As a result , leakage of acid from the stomach into the esophagus, causing heartburn. The underlying cause of Chantal hernia is unknown. Contributing factors include obesity , pregnancy , constipation , abdominal muscle fatigue, and smoking.
Dietary treatment for heartburn
In case of persistent heartburn , dietary improvements are not sufficient. So as well as advocating easy digestion system , your doctor may recommend one or more of the following types of drugs. Antacids to neutralize the acid in the stomach, H blockers or inhibitors of the proton pump to reduce acid production , or prognostics to strengthen the lower esophageal sphincter and accelerate gastric emptying . However, if the symptoms of heartburn are mild and occur only occasionally , usually you will be advised of the following changes to your diet
If overweight , switch to a healthy weight loss diet
Obesity , particularly excess fat on the chest and abdomen, is a common contributing factor to GED and Chantal hernia, and therefore heartburn. So if you are obese (BMI> 30) , take steps to normalize your weight and reduce the risk and symptoms of heartburn . Choose a healthy calorie-controlled diet and customize it by following the dietary advice below.
Stop eating large meals
A big meal distends the stomach and causes an increase in the production of stomach acid. These two factors lead to an increased risk of heartburn. So opt for 4-6 small meals or snacks , and allow a maximum of 3 hours between meals . Also, choose foods that are "easier on the stomach " and easier to digest.
Avoid acidic foods
Reduce your intake of highly acidic foods by avoiding items such as : tomatoes, tomato-based sauces , citrus , rhubarb, currants, ripe fruit , vinegar and acidic pickles or condiments .
Reduce fatty and spicy foods
Fried foods or high-fat , including candy , encourage indigestion and should be avoided or eaten in moderation. So go easy on the butter , mayonnaise , sausages, salami , pate, meat pies and fatty cheese. The same applies to the food very spicy as : black pepper , pimento , curry , mustard and other hot spices and raw onions and garlic.
Avoid carbonated drinks
Fizzy or soft drinks cause belching and upward pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) , which increases the likelihood of heartburn. The best drinks include: water , herbal tea or fruit juice non - diluted citrus . Please note that some soft drinks (Beg , cocoa, coffee , orange juice ) are not useful for heartburn as they can over-relax the LES , thus encouraging acid reflux from the stomach .
Eat more fiber , especially soluble
Constipation can cause extra pressure on the abdominal muscles and increase the risk of heartburn. To prevent constipation , eat more high fiber foods such as oats , apples, pears, apricots and vegetables. Increasing fiber intake , it is also important to increase your water consumption by at least 40 fl oz a day.
Reduce alcohol consumption
Alcohol is not helpful to heartburn for several reasons. So take steps to reduce your consumption of one unit per day , or avoid completely. Alcohol is also a source of non-nutritious calories and can contribute to overweight.
Other digestive advice
For digestive disorders such as heartburn, dietitians and health experts recommend other patients to eat (or cook ) herbs digestion environment such as basil , chamomile , cumin, the dill, fennel , rosemary and thyme. They also recommend that you end each meal with a glass of herbal tea (chamomile for example, fennel ) to reduce acidity and wind.
Improved lifestyle to reduce heartburn
There are several lifestyle changes that can help reduce the symptoms of heartburn. An obvious one is to stop smoking , as tobacco smoke increases the acidity in the stomach. Other recommended changes include :
Avoid placing extra pressure on your abdomen or chest . Wear loose clothing and do not overstretch or lift heavy weights .
Do not lie down after eating, and try not to eat anything for at least three hours before going to bed. Fewer in your stomach when you come to lie , the greater the risk of heartburn .
To minimize discomfort night , raise the head of the bed about 3 inches using bed - blocks or placing a solid object under the bed - legs. This helps to prevent stomach acid from leaking back into the esophagus. Do not use extra pillows - you just end up with a stiff neck and the heartburn !
Heartburn can be caused by certain prescription drugs , such as aspirin or other pain relievers or anti-inflammatory . So if you take these medications regularly , check with your doctor or pharmacist that it is safe to continue .
Heartburn is a digestive problem that has nothing to do with your heart . It occurs when small amounts of stomach acid accidentally up the esophagus (the alimentary canal extending from the mouth to the stomach) , causing symptoms such as a burning sensation in the chest that goes up to the throat. Sufferers may even taste the liquid in the bottom of the mouth, and this is called acid indigestion . In many cases , the pain and burning sensation is relatively mild , but sometimes is so severe that patients think they are experiencing a heart attack.
What are the causes of heartburn ?
In general, the immediate cause of heartburn is acidic digestive juices that leave the stomach and esophagus rise . The acid burns the tissues of the esophagus causing inflammation and pain - a condition called esophagi. Heartburn can also occur during pregnancy when the baby is pressing against the underside of the membrane and tightening the stomach. An occasional episode of acid - regurgitation or indigestion is quite normal . But persistent heartburn (Beg twice a week), is usually a sign of something more serious. The two most common symptoms of heartburn causes are gastro esophageal reflux disease (GED ) and Chantal hernia.
Gastro esophageal Reflux Disease
GED is characterized by a defect in the muscle valve , known as the lower esophageal sphincter (LES ) , which is located at the bottom of the esophagus. The function of this valve is to keep the acid in the stomach and prevent leak back into the esophagus. When this valve does not work properly , reflux ( leak back ) and heartburn may occur. The factors that contribute to disease gastro esophageal reflux disease include obesity , pregnancy , smoking and , in particular, a Chantal hernia.
Chantal hernia
Or Chantal hernia is a condition in which a part of the hernia of the stomach ( projection ) upwardly in the trunk through the gap ( opening ) in the diaphragm normally occupied by the esophagus. This puts extra pressure on the LES valve preventing it from closing properly . As a result , leakage of acid from the stomach into the esophagus, causing heartburn. The underlying cause of Chantal hernia is unknown. Contributing factors include obesity , pregnancy , constipation , abdominal muscle fatigue, and smoking.
Dietary treatment for heartburn
In case of persistent heartburn , dietary improvements are not sufficient. So as well as advocating easy digestion system , your doctor may recommend one or more of the following types of drugs. Antacids to neutralize the acid in the stomach, H blockers or inhibitors of the proton pump to reduce acid production , or prognostics to strengthen the lower esophageal sphincter and accelerate gastric emptying . However, if the symptoms of heartburn are mild and occur only occasionally , usually you will be advised of the following changes to your diet
If overweight , switch to a healthy weight loss diet
Obesity , particularly excess fat on the chest and abdomen, is a common contributing factor to GED and Chantal hernia, and therefore heartburn. So if you are obese (BMI> 30) , take steps to normalize your weight and reduce the risk and symptoms of heartburn . Choose a healthy calorie-controlled diet and customize it by following the dietary advice below.
Stop eating large meals
A big meal distends the stomach and causes an increase in the production of stomach acid. These two factors lead to an increased risk of heartburn. So opt for 4-6 small meals or snacks , and allow a maximum of 3 hours between meals . Also, choose foods that are "easier on the stomach " and easier to digest.
Avoid acidic foods
Reduce your intake of highly acidic foods by avoiding items such as : tomatoes, tomato-based sauces , citrus , rhubarb, currants, ripe fruit , vinegar and acidic pickles or condiments .
Reduce fatty and spicy foods
Fried foods or high-fat , including candy , encourage indigestion and should be avoided or eaten in moderation. So go easy on the butter , mayonnaise , sausages, salami , pate, meat pies and fatty cheese. The same applies to the food very spicy as : black pepper , pimento , curry , mustard and other hot spices and raw onions and garlic.
Avoid carbonated drinks
Fizzy or soft drinks cause belching and upward pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) , which increases the likelihood of heartburn. The best drinks include: water , herbal tea or fruit juice non - diluted citrus . Please note that some soft drinks (Beg , cocoa, coffee , orange juice ) are not useful for heartburn as they can over-relax the LES , thus encouraging acid reflux from the stomach .
Eat more fiber , especially soluble
Constipation can cause extra pressure on the abdominal muscles and increase the risk of heartburn. To prevent constipation , eat more high fiber foods such as oats , apples, pears, apricots and vegetables. Increasing fiber intake , it is also important to increase your water consumption by at least 40 fl oz a day.
Reduce alcohol consumption
Alcohol is not helpful to heartburn for several reasons. So take steps to reduce your consumption of one unit per day , or avoid completely. Alcohol is also a source of non-nutritious calories and can contribute to overweight.
Other digestive advice
For digestive disorders such as heartburn, dietitians and health experts recommend other patients to eat (or cook ) herbs digestion environment such as basil , chamomile , cumin, the dill, fennel , rosemary and thyme. They also recommend that you end each meal with a glass of herbal tea (chamomile for example, fennel ) to reduce acidity and wind.
Improved lifestyle to reduce heartburn
There are several lifestyle changes that can help reduce the symptoms of heartburn. An obvious one is to stop smoking , as tobacco smoke increases the acidity in the stomach. Other recommended changes include :
Avoid placing extra pressure on your abdomen or chest . Wear loose clothing and do not overstretch or lift heavy weights .
Do not lie down after eating, and try not to eat anything for at least three hours before going to bed. Fewer in your stomach when you come to lie , the greater the risk of heartburn .
To minimize discomfort night , raise the head of the bed about 3 inches using bed - blocks or placing a solid object under the bed - legs. This helps to prevent stomach acid from leaking back into the esophagus. Do not use extra pillows - you just end up with a stiff neck and the heartburn !
Heartburn can be caused by certain prescription drugs , such as aspirin or other pain relievers or anti-inflammatory . So if you take these medications regularly , check with your doctor or pharmacist that it is safe to continue .
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