How to treat heartburn at home

Heartburn is one of the most frequent and common symptoms of various gastroenterological disorders. Heartburn can occur when non-compliance with the rules of healthy eating, and may be the result of serious violations in the gastrointestinal tract. Today we talk about heartburn - how and why it occurs, the violation of what food rules leads to heartburn, as well as how to get rid of it quickly and effectively.

Why does heartburn appear

Heartburn is a strong and burning pain behind the sternum, which may be accompanied by belching, sour taste in the mouth, and heaviness in the stomach. Most often, belching develops after eating. In fact, heartburn is a release of gastric juice in the opposite direction, that is, into the esophagus. The mucosa of the esophagus is not intended for such an aggressive effect of acid, so pain with heartburn is felt especially acutely.But what can provoke a similar symptom?

1. Very often, heartburn develops when overeating. When we consume too much food, the stomach is stretched, more gastric juice is produced, which, at the first convenient opportunity, tries to find a way out.
2. Increased acidity of the stomach is also a common cause of heartburn.
3. Heartburn can be a consequence of malnutrition, large consumption of fatty, smoked, salty and fried foods.
4. Some foods can also contribute to the active secretion of gastric juice. Among them are pastry and flour products, mint, chocolate, coffee, alcohol, pickled vegetables, soda cocktails.
5. Heartburn, gastritis, and other diseases of the stomach can be caused by taking certain medications, including oral contraceptives, ibuprofen, aspirin, some antidepressants, and antibiotics.
6. Very often, heartburn develops after sleeping on a full stomach, when a large amount of gastric juice is thrown out, if you have taken a horizontal posture.
7. Heartburn is a frequent satellite of a woman during pregnancy, and the symptom increases with the increase in time.Every day the fetus grows in the womb, squeezes all organs, including the stomach. A squeezed stomach under pressure releases hydrochloric acid into the esophagus.
8. If heartburn occurs frequently and is not associated with nutrition, the symptom is most likely associated with gastroenterological diseases. Heartburn can occur on the background of gastritis, ulcers, inflammation of the gallbladder and duodenum, reflux esophagitis. Excessive constipation and a strong cough can also contribute to the development of heartburn. Often, heartburn accompanies patients after surgery on the stomach.
9. The physiological weakness of the esophageal sphincter is also a cause of the ejection of gastric juice to the outside.
10. In some cases, cramped clothing, corsets, tight belts and belts can provoke heartburn.
11. Tomatoes, citrus fruits and some fruits may increase the acidity of the stomach.

Heartburn is a serious symptom that should not be ignored. Especially if heartburn occurs regularly - 2-3 times a week. Try to analyze the diet in those days when heartburn develops. In some cases, an excess of gastric juice is produced individually from certain foods.You can calculate them yourself. But what if heartburn has already appeared and torments you?

Heartburn medication

The pain and burning during heartburn is so unpleasant that we often want to get rid of the discomfort instantly. And it is quite possible if you take medicine for heartburn. All drugs are divided into several groups according to the principle of exposure. Consider them.

1. Antacid drugs. These are drugs that reduce the acidity of the stomach, and act very quickly. In fact, these are symptomatic agents, they cannot be used for treatment, but they perfectly suppress heartburn. They are usually produced in the form of tablets or liquid gel. Released without a doctor's prescription. Today it is the most popular and widespread group of drugs against heartburn. Among the most effective are Renny, Maalox, Gaviscon, Almagel, Iberoast, etc.
2. Antisecretory agents. They suppress the production of gastric juice, they are prescribed by the doctor after a thorough examination. Such remedies are usually resorted to only when the group of antacids can no longer cope with heartburn.Such drugs last longer, up to 8-10 hours. With regular intake, the amount of gastric juice decreases, heartburn occurs much less frequently. However, these drugs act a little longer, about an hour after administration. This group of drugs is contraindicated in pregnancy. Among the most popular and effective are Omez, Omeprazole, Losek MAPS, Ultrop, Orthanol, etc.
3. GI motility stimulants. This group of drugs is also prescribed by a doctor and it fights well not only with heartburn, but also with nausea and vomiting. Moreover, these drugs improve the functioning of the esophageal sphincter. One of the most effective stimulants of gastrointestinal motility is Domperidone.

If you choose a drug for heartburn during pregnancy, it is better to consult with your doctor in advance or read the instructions on the acceptability of taking the drug during the period of carrying the child.

How to get rid of heartburn at home

If in your home first aid kit there was no remedy for heartburn, do not be discouraged. There are many effective homemade recipes that can relieve heartburn.It is enough to open the refrigerator and kitchen cabinets.

1. Potato juice. To get rid of heartburn quickly and effectively will help the juice of raw potatoes. Vegetable should be cleaned and chopped - grated in a meat grinder or blender. Then you need to squeeze the juice with gauze and drink it fresh in the amount of 100-200 ml.
2. Tincture of white acacia. White acacia inflorescences need to be washed and put in a bottle of dark glass. Pour alcohol and leave for 5-7 days in a cool dark place. Then the composition must be filtered and take 10 drops, diluted in a small amount of water. Take the tincture only for heartburn.
3. Covering paste. From flax or oat seeds, you need to prepare a sticky mass that covers the walls of the stomach and esophagus, gently protects the mucosa from the effects of aggressive hydrochloric acid. To do this, pour two tablespoons of seeds with boiling water, boil for 10 minutes on low heat and cover with a lid - let it steam.
4. Cabbage. If you are tormented by an unbearable burning sensation, you just need to chew a piece of cabbage leaf. Cabbage quickly eliminates acid, relieving heartburn.
5. Decoction of fennel seeds. Fennel copes with various gastroenterological symptoms, because it is no wonder that infants are given infants in the fight against infant colic. Seeds need to be washed and put in a thermos, pour boiling water and insist at least 5 hours. After that, the composition must be filtered and consumed in half a glass after each meal.
6. Carrots and beets. The juice of these root crops is also actively fighting heartburn and relieving stomach discomfort. With the help of a juicer or manually, you need to get at least 200 ml of juice and drink when you are tormented by a burning sensation in the chest. Relief comes very quickly.
7. Chamomile decoction. Chamomile soothes the mucous well and suppresses the increased acidity of the stomach. Prepare a weak decoction of chamomile - about a tablespoon of inflorescences per liter of boiling water. Drink decoction in the event of heartburn half a glass.
8. Buckwheat powder Buckwheat should be thoroughly fried in a pan, and then grind it to a state of powder. At one time you will need 2 grams of powder, which approximately fits on the tip of a knife. Wash down the buckwheat powder with water, take it only in case of heartburn.
9. Sugar onions. A head of onion must be grated and sprinkled with a teaspoon of sugar. After a while, when onions give juice, the composition must be drained and take one tablespoon of juice after each meal. If you are treated with a sugar onion course (take at least a week), then heartburn will disturb you much less often.
10. Calamus root This is a beautiful plant that blocks the production of hydrochloric acid. For heartburn, you just need to chew a clean piece of the root for at least 10 minutes, while swallowing the saliva produced. Then you can drink the root with water.

Very often you can find tips on the use of a solution of baking soda against heartburn. Soda really helps, but it's not worth taking it inside. The fact is that baking soda alkalizes the acidic environment, eliminating heartburn for a short time. After some time, the hydrochloric acid of the stomach begins to be produced with even greater force, and heartburn returns again. The same with milk. A glass of warm milk with heartburn gives temporary relief, but the protein that it contains provokes an active secretion of gastric juice. Therefore, from such methods of treatment of heartburn is better to refuse.

How to protect yourself from heartburn

As a rule, people suffering from heartburn, have attacks often enough. How to influence it? Is it possible to develop a certain nutritional and physical behavior that will prevent the development of heartburn? We have compiled several rules for you that will protect you from this unpleasant symptom.

1. In the morning, as soon as you wake up, you need to drink a glass of warm boiled water. This will help start the work of the gastrointestinal tract.
2. You need to eat 5-6 times a day, in small portions, so that the stomach does not stretch or overload.
3. Each piece of food must be chewed very carefully, at least 30 times, before swallowing it.
4. Try to avoid products such as flour products, mint, smoked meats, carbonated drinks, chocolate, alcohol, tomatoes, citrus, pickles. If you can not deny yourself something, know the measure.
5. Follow the diet, try to eat at the same time.
6. Follow the rules of separate power supply. No need to combine meat with carbohydrates - potatoes or pasta. Meat is perfectly combined and better digested with vegetables.
7. Try not to gorge on the night, dinner should be light, but nutritious. The main meal, oddly enough, should be in the morning.
8. There is another rule that must be followed in the fight against heartburn. Fermented milk products can also provoke the release of acid into the stomach. Therefore, they need to be consumed in small quantities. But you can drink milk, but only separately from other products, otherwise it can lead to fermentation and flatulence.
9. After eating you do not need to go to bed, try not to take a horizontal position. If this is not avoided, use a high pillow so that the esophageal sphincter is elevated above the stomach.
10. Give up smoking, tight belts and corsets, get rid of overweight.
11. With the sharp occurrence of the symptom you need to drink alkaline mineral water.
12. Try not to eat meat at night - it is digested for a long time, you have to stay awake for 5-6 hours, until the food is completely transferred to the intestines.
13. In the first couple of hours after eating you can not engage in active physical activity, especially to do the slopes. This can lead to the eruption of hydrochloric acid from the stomach.

These simple recommendations will help you not only get rid of heartburn, but also prevent its occurrence.

If heartburn recurs even when these rules are followed, regardless of the food eaten and its quantity, most likely it is a matter of the gastrointestinal tract. Contact your gastroenterologist as soon as possible for the correct diagnosis and adequate treatment. You should also consult a doctor if heartburn is accompanied by heaviness and pain in the stomach, nausea, weight loss, fever, frequent hiccups and problems with swallowing food. Do not pull, because the health of the body only in your hands.

Video: how to get rid of heartburn folk methods