What Causes Heartburn? What is Good for Heartburn?
Heartburn is a common symptom that is often not taken seriously. Almost everyone has experienced heartburn at some point in their life. Overeating dinner or eating an overly spicy or fatty meal can cause heartburn. However, heartburn can also indicate a serious illness. Heartburn can often be easily managed with lifestyle changes and over-the-counter medications.
What Causes Heartburn?
Heartburn is defined as an uncomfortable burning sensation in the lower chest as a result of stomach acid passing the stomach valve and moving up the esophagus. The stomach and esophagus are connected to each other with the help of a connection point called the lower esophageal sphincter. After food enters the stomach, this sphincter closes unilaterally and prevents stomach contents from escaping into the esophagus. In some cases, the lower esophageal sphincter may not function properly and stomach contents may leak into the esophagus. The stomach content contains acids and enzymes that enable the digestion of food. The stomach lining has a structure that is resistant to these enzymes and acids. The passage of stomach acid into the esophagus, which carries food to the stomach, causes irritation of the lining of the esophagus and a feeling of pain. Heartburn is actually a symptom of a stomach condition called reflux.
What are the symptoms of heartburn?
The most common symptom of heartburn is an uncomfortable burning sensation in the chest and throat area. This feeling may last a few minutes or a few hours. Other symptoms of heartburn include:
- Burning sensation in the chest after eating or when going to bed at night,
- Increased pain sensation when bending or lying down,
- An acidic, bitter, salty taste in the back of the throat,
- Difficulty in swallowing,
- A feeling of food getting stuck in the middle of the chest or throat.
Heartburn symptoms can sometimes be so severe that they can be compared to heart attack symptoms. However, a heart attack is often characterized by a feeling of tightness and pressure in the chest. Heartburn is often a symptom of acid reflux and may occur along with other acid reflux symptoms, including:
- Burping,
- Nausea,
- Regurgitation (regurgitation of the swallowed food as a whole without being digested),
- stomach bloating,
- Hiccup,
- chronic cough,
- Sore throat,
- Laryngitis (Inflammation of the esophagus).
What is Good for Heartburn?
Some lifestyle changes below can help prevent and treat heartburn:
- Following an adequate and balanced diet program,
- Stopping food intake at least 2-3 hours before bedtime,
- Lying down to keep the head higher,
- Avoiding wearing tight clothing that constricts the body,
- Avoiding strenuous movements such as heavy lifting,
- Avoid consuming caffeine, excessively fatty and spicy foods that may upset the stomach,
- Maintaining ideal body weight,
- exercising regularly,
- Keeping the stomach volume at a certain level by frequently feeding little by little.
These life changes may reduce the severity of heartburn, but they may not work if there is another underlying cause. Heartburn is a common condition during pregnancy due to hormones and the fact that the abdominal volume increases and puts pressure on the stomach. Not using medication during pregnancy without consulting a doctor is important to protect the health of both the baby and the expectant mother.
How Is Heartburn Diagnosed?
Heartburn is an emotion. Usually, the doctor diagnoses heartburn by evaluating the symptoms experienced by the patient. In cases of mild heartburn, heartburn can be managed with over-the-counter medications and lifestyle changes without the need for in-depth research. However, in cases of chronic and severe heartburn, a doctor who specializes in the gastrointestinal field may order the following tests to determine the health condition causing heartburn:
- Endoscopy: A system with a mini camera at the end of a tube is used to examine the inner surface of the esophagus and stomach. A camera is examined from the esophagus to the upper part of the small intestine.
- Esophageal pH Test: A wireless capsule is placed in the esophagus to detect the pH level of the esophagus to determine whether stomach acids pass or damage them. The condition of the esophagus is examined by examining the information in this capsule.
What are the Risk Factors for Heartburn?
Heartburn is a common condition. Overfilling the stomach or eating a heavy fatty meal can cause heartburn. Obese people, those with reflux and/or hiatal hernia, those who wear tight clothing, and pregnant women are among the risk groups for heartburn. In addition, it may pose a risk for heartburn in the following situations:
- Aging: With age, the lower sphincter muscle in the lower esophagus, which prevents food from passing into the esophagus, weakens. Foods, enzymes and acid in the stomach can easily pass into the esophagus, causing heartburn.
- Weight Gain: Weight gain can also increase the internal pressure in the stomach, which can lead to heartburn. In addition, consuming more food than the stomach can digest can also cause burning.
- Some Medications: Some medications, such as blood pressure and birth control pills, can contribute to heartburn by causing an increase in stomach acid.
How to Treat Heartburn?
Occasional and mild heartburn can be treated with lifestyle changes and over-the-counter medications that reduce stomach acid. However, if there is a problem in the lower esophageal sphincter, this is not an adequate treatment for the condition. For chronic heartburn, your doctor may recommend the following medications in addition to lifestyle changes:
anticides
Antacids, which help prevent stomach contents from irritating the esophagus by neutralizing stomach acid, can also relieve symptoms such as gas and bloating that accompany heartburn.
alginates
Alginates, defined as natural sugars in seaweed, form a barrier between the acid in the stomach and the esophagus and can prevent stomach contents from passing into the esophagus.
Histamine Receptor Antagonists (H2 Blockers)
H2 receptors block histamines, which stimulate the release of stomach acid, reducing the acidity of stomach contents and may help protect the esophagus.
Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPI)
PPIs, which are strong acid blockers that prevent stomach acid from passing into the esophagus, are used especially in cases of severe heartburn or damage to the esophagus. They are effective drugs used in the treatment of reflux.
In addition to these, the following medications may be recommended for heartburn:
- Antibiotics or antiviral medications if heartburn is caused by infection
- Topical steroids to treat inflammation caused by heartburn
- Low dose neuromodulators
- Hernia surgery if heartburn is caused by a stomach hernia.
How should people who suffer from heartburn eat?
Those who suffer from heartburn should stay away from foods that increase stomach acid, such as carbonated drinks, excessively fatty and spicy foods, fried foods, chocolate, coffee and tomatoes. Weight control should be achieved by supporting an adequate and balanced nutrition program with regular physical activity. You can help relieve heartburn symptoms by adding the following foods to your diet:
- Melon and Banana: Melon and banana have lower acid content than other fruits.
- Oatmeal: Oatmeal, with its high fiber content, can relieve heartburn symptoms by contributing to the prevention of reflux.
- Bread: Whole grain breads such as bran, whole wheat, and rye bread can help prevent heartburn.
- Rice and Couscous: Black rice and whole wheat couscous, especially those with high fiber content, can support the treatment of heartburn.
- Green Vegetables: Green vegetables such as broccoli, asparagus, green beans, celery, cauliflower, potatoes and parsley have low acid content.
- Lean Poultry, Fish and Red Meat: Consuming meat types such as chicken, turkey and beef in the oven, grill or boiled form helps meet the daily protein needs without causing heartburn.
- Egg White: Egg yolk may cause heartburn, but you can consume the white part of the egg, which is a good source of protein.
In addition, you can consume plants such as fennel, ginger and aloe vera to support heartburn treatment. The cause of heartburn varies from person to person. Although some foods are thought to support the treatment of heartburn, it is important that the treatment be personalized and the feeding program is tailored to the person’s habits.
When Should You See a Doctor for Heartburn?
If heartburn occurs more than twice a week, it may be caused by an open wound or a different disorder in the lining of the esophagus and stomach, such as an ulcer. It is recommended to see a doctor if the following heartburn symptoms occur:
- Difficulty in swallowing and pain while swallowing
- blood in stool
- Shortness of breath
- dizziness
- chest pain
- Pain radiating from back to shoulder
How to Prevent Heartburn?
- To prevent heartburn, you can consider the following suggestions:
- Foods such as carbonated drinks, coffee, excessively fatty foods, extremely spicy foods and chocolate should be avoided.
- You should lie down at least 3 hours after eating,
- You should sleep with the pillow slightly raised,
- Wearing tight clothing that will create pressure on the stomach should be avoided.
- It should be fed little and often,
- Ideal weight should be maintained,
- Regular exercise should be done.
Heartburn is a common, mild stomach problem that can be prevented with simple lifestyle changes. However, chronic heartburn can be a sign of a serious illness. If you experience frequent heartburn, it is important to go to the nearest health institution without delay to protect your general health.
