Doctors told what foods will relieve heartburn after a feast

The long New Year holidays are ahead, which means abundant feasts that can trigger heartburn. Fortunately, you can get rid of it, or at least suppress the symptoms, without drugs, with the help of products that everyone has at home.

In addition to diseases of the digestive system, heartburn can be caused by alcohol, smoking, fatty foods, chocolate, coffee, fruit juices, hot, sweet, sour, spicy foods, fresh baked goods, carbonated drinks. If an unpleasant burning sensation in the esophagus occurs no more than once or twice a month, there is most likely no reason for concern, but if at least twice a week or once a week, but for a year, then this is a reason to consult a doctor, KP said .RU gastroenterologist Marat Zinnatullin.

According to him, one of the simple and effective ways to get rid of heartburn is to drink alkaline mineral water.

— Among foods, ginger relieves heartburn. In extreme cases, you can use soda, but you should not abuse this method, the gastroenterologist explained.

It is better to make an infusion of ginger without sugar and consume it after meals. As for soda (a pinch dissolved in water), it will extinguish the acidity in the stomach for a short time, while gas will be released, which causes discomfort. Therefore, it should be considered only as an emergency remedy if nothing else is at hand. And the following products can help with heartburn, although not always:

Root causes and treatment of heartburn

Symptoms may return if the underlying cause is not determined. In severe cases, the doctor may recommend going to the hospital to clarify them. At JSC “Medicine” (academician Roitberg’s clinic) in the center of Moscow, you can undergo diagnostics and take tests to establish the correct diagnosis. For this purpose they prescribe:

laboratory blood tests (general, biochemical, for the presence of antibodies to Helicobacter pylori);
gastroscopy;
urease breath test (detection of Helicobacter pylori infection);
esophageal pH monitoring;
esophagomanometry, etc.

Symptom of heartburn during pregnancy

It is a fact that 80% of women experience heartburn when carrying a child from the first months of pregnancy. Increased progesterone in the body relaxes the muscles, which causes dysfunction of the esophageal sphincter. Another reason is increased abdominal pressure due to fetal growth. Heartburn pills (antacids) without complex chemical compounds help to cope with poor health. They usually have a minty flavor, which helps get rid of the sour and bitter taste in the mouth. They are prescribed by a doctor after consultation.

Treating heartburn at home

A fast-acting remedy for heartburn is baking soda in the amount of 1/2 tsp. per glass of water. You need to drink in small sips. The method is suitable only for emergency cases, but with frequent use of sodium carbonate, the acid-base balance is disturbed. To maintain it, you should also give up citrus fruits and carbonated drinks, raw onions and garlic, hot and spicy foods.

Following a diet is better than soda for heartburn during periods of exacerbation. Small meals 5-6 times a day will also be useful. Chamomile tea and drinking low-alkaline mineral waters can also help. Popular folk remedies or how to get rid of heartburn at home is a set of the following recommendations:

drink tea from St. John's wort and plantain (1 tbsp per 200 ml of water);
drink 1 tbsp. 15 minutes before meals, infusion of dried dried fruit (20 g per 200 ml of water);
eat buckwheat daily;
chew barley grains during an attack.

What to do if you suffer from heartburn?

Heartburn. Where does it come from, what is its danger and what to do if it bothers you?

Vasilisa Vladimirovna Ishchenko, a gastroenterologist at the Expert Kursk Clinic, helped us understand these issues.

— Vasilisa Vladimirovna, what is heartburn and how long can an attack last?

Heartburn is a burning sensation of varying severity, rising from the epigastrium/stomach area to the neck and pharynx, along the esophagus.

It can be combined with other manifestations - such as belching sour, bitter, regurgitation of food, disturbances in the swallowing process and its pain.

Sometimes a person cannot adequately describe heartburn by talking about a feeling of pressure, fullness, warmth or a lump behind the breastbone.

HEARTBURN IS NOT ALWAYS AN INDICATOR OF DISEASE. REFLUXES (REFLUXES) OF THE CONTENTS OF THE STOMACH AS A QUITE RARE PHENOMENON ARE ENCOUNTERED IN MANY PEOPLE

The duration of the episode itself is short, but the burning sensation can persist for a long time and is difficult to eliminate with water or food.

— The “hot” feeling from heartburn is always unpleasant. When does heartburn occur? What diseases is this symptom typical for?

Heartburn can occur for various reasons. This is the consumption of low-quality food that irritates the esophageal mucosa; intake of sweets, citrus fruits, spices, carbonated drinks.

A very significant factor is an increase in intra-abdominal pressure. It promotes the reflux of gastric juice and food from the stomach into the esophagus. This can happen, in particular, when lifting weights, significant physical stress, overeating, coughing, wearing tight clothes (as well as belts, bandages), pregnancy.

Promotes heartburn and obesity.

REFLUX DISEASE IS PROPOSED TO RECURRENCE. THEREFORE YOU CANNOT LEAVE HEARTBURN WITHOUT ATTENTION

It can be caused by taking a number of medications (some drugs to lower blood pressure, treat bronchial asthma, etc.); smoking.

Read the material on the topic: What is gastritis and how to treat it?

The most common disease is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The basis of this pathology is a violation of the motor function of this anatomical region. It is characterized by repeated regular reflux of stomach contents (sometimes the duodenum) into the esophagus.

Functional heartburn is classified as a separate disease. In this case, it is an independent disease, and not a manifestation of other causes.

— Is heartburn always a symptom of some kind of gastrointestinal tract disease or can it occur in healthy people?

Heartburn is not always an indicator of illness. Reverse reflux of stomach contents is a fairly rare occurrence and occurs in many people. For example, a person ate too much and went to work in the garden. When bending forward, he may develop reflux and experience an episode of heartburn. Moreover, this occurs non-systematically; there are no complications or endoscopic signs of heartburn.

— What does heartburn threaten our gastrointestinal tract?

Development of gastroesophageal reflux disease. At the same time, erosions and ulcers can sometimes form on the esophageal mucosa, with the formation of scars. In some cases, the so-called Barrett's esophagus develops, when the cellular composition of the esophageal mucosa is replaced by other, uncharacteristic types of cells. Without treatment, esophageal cancer may develop.

Read material on the topic: Gastroscopy with comfort? Is it possible

Reflux disease is prone to relapse. Therefore, heartburn should not be ignored under any circumstances.

— How do you understand that heartburn is a sign of a gastrointestinal tract disease and it’s time to see a doctor?

By manifestations. This is pain in the esophagus, including when swallowing, difficulty swallowing. Of course, you should consult a doctor if you have anemia or weight loss. Sometimes people with heartburn are bothered by a cough, there are attacks of bronchial asthma and so-called aspiration pneumonia. These manifestations and diseases may be associated with the reflux of acidic gastric contents into the respiratory tract.

You should definitely consult a doctor if symptoms first appear after 45-50 years.

— What kind of doctor should you consult if you suffer from heartburn?

To a gastroenterologist. If it is not available, see a therapist or general practitioner.

You can make an appointment with a gastroenterologist in your city here

Please note: the service is not available in all regions

— How to find the cause that causes heartburn? What diagnosis is carried out for a patient suffering from heartburn?

Complaints are collected, a detailed history is obtained, and an examination is carried out.

To confirm and clarify the diagnosis, instrumental diagnostic methods are used. Among them: esophagogastroduodenoscopy, if indicated - biopsy (sampling) of a fragment of the esophageal mucosa; fluoroscopic examination of the stomach with contrast (barium sulfate); measurement of pH of the esophagus (pH-metry).

Read the material on the topic: How often can you take x-rays per month and year? And other questions

A general blood test is also performed, and, if necessary, an analysis for tumor markers; daily pH-metry, ECG.

Consultation with related specialists is required - ENT doctor, cardiologist, pulmonologist.

— What to do if you have an attack of heartburn? How to provide first aid?

Various groups of drugs are used. The main principle of their action is the neutralization of acidic contents from the stomach.

They are not suitable for systematic treatment, since they eliminate the problem situationally, and some of them can cause negative consequences when taken for a relatively long time.

In order to relieve an attack of heartburn, you can take one of the following drugs in the recommended single therapeutic dose: Gaviscon, Almagel, phosphalugel, Maalox. Smecta has a slightly lesser effect.

It is better to take medications after consultation with a doctor, in the absence of contraindications.

— Vasilisa Vladimirovna, medications for heartburn are not prescription, so they can be easily bought at a pharmacy and prescribed to yourself. How long can you use antacids without causing health consequences? Do heartburn medications have side effects?

They can be used for no more than 10 days.

There are side effects. This is an increase in calcium levels in the urine and magnesium and phosphorus in the blood.

WHEN USING SODA TO RELIEF SYMPTOMS OF HEARTBURN, THE CELLS OF THE STOMACH RECEIVE A SIGNAL THAT ACIDITY HAS BEEN STRONGLY DECREASED, AND BEGIN TO PRODUCE ACID EVEN MORE INTENSIVELY

They are contraindicated in case of severe disorders of the nervous system, kidneys, Alzheimer's disease, or hypersensitivity to them.

— Out of habit, many Russians use soda or chalk during an attack of heartburn. How safe is it?

Unfortunately, it's not as safe as it seems. We must remember that the same soda is an alkali. And alkalis, in addition to the fact that they can neutralize acid, can themselves have an irritating effect on the gastric mucosa.

The problem is that after “quenching” the acid to almost zero, the cells of the stomach receive a signal that the acidity has greatly decreased, and begin to produce it even more intensely. As a result, heartburn will worsen.

Therefore, these remedies should not be used.

— What is the prevention of heartburn? Is it possible to avoid the appearance of this unpleasant symptom?

The main thing in prevention is changing your lifestyle. Body weight should be normalized; Avoid significant bending of the body after eating for at least 2 hours, and do not lie down during this time. The last meal is 3 hours before going to bed. Do not use tight belts, belts, or bandages.

It is necessary to identify foods that provoke the development of heartburn, including carbonated drinks. For frequent severe heartburn, including at night, as well as for hiatal hernias, raise the head of the bed by at least 15 degrees. Just a high pillow won't help. You need to sleep on your left side.

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In case of treatment-resistant, severe pathology, some hiatal hernias and serious inflammation of the esophageal mucosa, the risk of developing esophageal cancer, and reluctance to take drugs that reduce the acidity of gastric juice for life, the question of antireflux surgery is raised.

Recommend me something for heartburn that will last longer.

Modern antacid drugs that are not absorbed in the digestive tract, such as aluminum phosphoric acid or aluminum-magnesium drugs, are suitable for you. They bind hydrochloric acid quite quickly - usually within a few minutes after ingestion - and their effect lasts up to several hours. Maximum duration of action

characteristic of drugs containing aluminum hydroxide. They act for 2.5–3 hours [2].

Heartburn medications

If heartburn does not bother you often, once a week or less, you can take antacids and alginates .

Antacids

This group of drugs neutralizes hydrochloric acid produced by the cells of the gastric mucosa. Reducing acidity in the stomach helps to increase the tone of the lower esophageal sphincter.

Modern combination drugs that additionally have an enveloping and sometimes calming effect include:

Phosphalugel;
Almagel A;
Gastal;
Maalox;
Relzer.

The main thing is that these medications do not have rebound syndrome, like regular soda. When using it, the acidity first decreases, and after a few hours it increases again.

Alginates

Gaviscon;
Gaviscon Double Action.

Preparations from the alginate group form a gel film on the surface, which protects the mucous membrane from the action of acid and pepsin. Some drugs have a double effect, since they contain an antacid component.

H2-histamine receptor blockers

Ranitidine;
Famotidine;
Nizatidine.

They reduce the production of hydrochloric acid by the parietal cells of the stomach. The advantage of their action is that the secretion associated with food intake is suppressed to a lesser extent, which means the digestive processes will be affected to a lesser extent. At the first symptoms of heartburn, it is possible to take halved doses of H2-histamine receptor blockers. The effect can last up to 12 hours, and there is no need for additional antacid medications.

H2-histamine receptor blockers reduce the production of hydrochloric acid by the parietal cells of the stomach.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)

Nexium;
Nolpaza;
Pariet;
Omez.

Proton pump inhibitors inhibit the final stage of hydrochloric acid formation in the parietal cells of the stomach. The maximum effect of administration develops on days 5-7 of administration. The secretion of hydrochloric acid is restored on the 2nd day after stopping the intake. With prolonged use of drugs for several years and a severe lack of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, pathogenic flora can develop. Drugs in this group do not have an immediate effect and can only be prescribed by a doctor after diagnosis.

Prokinetics

Ganaton;
Motilium;
Motilak.

If the symptoms of heartburn go along with impaired motor function of the stomach, the organ is sensitive to stretching, prokinetics help accelerate the evacuation of food into the small intestine. The propulsive motility of the stomach increases.

UDCA preparations

Ursosan.

Sometimes not only the contents of the stomach, but also the contents of the small intestine, such as bile, are thrown into the esophagus. This situation can arise in case of liver diseases, when drugs that reduce acidity in the stomach have already been used, there is no reflux of the acidic part, but there is irritation and heartburn in the esophagus. In this case, ursodeoxychoic acid (UDCA) preparations are recommended. They help the liver restore its function, normalize the formation and flow of bile, and can reduce the symptoms of heartburn. The course of application is from 2 weeks to 6 months.

How to get rid of heartburn and its consequences

Chronic or frequent heartburn causes an inflammatory disease with a recurrent nature called esophagitis - this is the most common consequence. The resulting ulcers and their subsequent scarring provoke a narrowing of the esophagus, which interferes with food intake. Heartburn may also be accompanied by bloating. To improve your well-being, the following is recommended:

exclude late dinner before bedtime;
the upper body should be elevated 15-25 cm during rest;
immediately after eating, you should not bend over or lie down;
conduct an audit of food products;
quit smoking and drinking alcohol;
Avoid tight belts and clothing that compress the abdominal area.

When to urgently call an ambulance

If heartburn occurs in the stomach from inappropriate food, the situation is not so dangerous. You should be wary of pain and a burning sensation in the chest that occurs due to an attack of angina or an increasing threat of myocardial infarction. With progressive symptoms such as bloody vomiting and black stools, you should call an ambulance. JSC "Medicine" (clinic of academician Roitberg) in the Central Administrative District has emergency teams on staff, its own fleet of vehicles and the latest generation equipment. They work 24/7. Severe heartburn and stomach pain may also be due to an exacerbation of the ulcer, which is also a reason to call an ambulance. If necessary, the team will take care of transporting and accompanying the patient to the hospital for hospitalization, where a final diagnosis will be made and treatment will be prescribed.

When to see a doctor

If heartburn in the throat begins to bother you frequently, regardless of the time of day, body position, or with a balanced diet, you should consult a doctor. Attacks cannot be tolerated or ignored due to the possible transition of the underlying causes into a chronic condition. The formation of ulcers in the esophagus due to the constant influence of hydrochloric acid on the mucous membrane provokes bleeding. They can lead to Barrett's syndrome and the subsequent development of oncology. You need to make an appointment to undergo diagnostics and receive heartburn medication to stabilize your well-being.