How to get rid of heartburn at home
Many people consider heartburn to be just an unpleasant sensation behind the sternum and in the oral cavity, but this is only the tip of the iceberg. The presence of a symptom indicates the ingestion of acidic contents of the stomach into the pharynx and esophagus. It is important to know how to get rid of heartburn at home quickly.
If the phenomenon recurs often, an inflammatory process develops in the upper digestive tract. Under the influence of the acidic environment, the cells change, which ultimately leads to a narrowing of the esophagus and even to cancer.
In the article I will describe popular folk and medical methods that help to quickly deal with heartburn at home.
Remember, methods temporarily solve the problem, do not eliminate the cause and do not prevent the development of the pathological process. Only a gastroenterologist can figure out the root cause of the problem and choose the best solution. Therefore, with frequent relapses, a visit to the doctor is required.Symptoms of Heartburn
The main symptom of heartburn is considered to be burning behind the sternum. The overwhelming majority of people face this manifestation of the problem. This is not all the symptoms. Often, discomfort burning is accompanied by other symptoms. I think it makes sense to divide people into categories, as in each case, heartburn manifests itself in a different way.
Symptoms of heartburn in adults
- Sour burp.
- Difficulty swallowing.
- Flatulence, nausea, impaired stool.
- Increased salivation.
- Lump in throat.
- Poor appetite, fatigue.
In one case, heartburn passes in a few minutes, in the other it torments for several hours. This is due to the cause of the occurrence. Often the problem manifests itself within an hour after the meal, and its symptoms increase when a person bends, takes a lying position or is subjected to physical exertion.
Symptoms of heartburn in pregnant women
Symptoms of heartburn during pregnancy is specific. Regardless of the period of gestation, it is accompanied by discomfort and a number of unpleasant sensations, among which:
- Burning in the abdominal region.
- Burning in the chest and throat.
- Acid and bitterness in the oral cavity.
- Unpleasant burping.
- Pain during bending, lying and walking.
Typically, this symptomatology is the result of a violation of the usual diet, the introduction of new foods that violate the acid balance. In this case, it is allowed to independently deal with the scourge at home. But there are symptoms that indicate that heartburn is in a state of neglect. The list of symptoms includes:
- Cough.
- Sweating.
- A sore throat.
- Drawing pain in lower back.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Stomach upset.
- Stomach ache.
The use of certain medications can harm the child and cause irreparable consequences.
Symptoms of heartburn in children
It is difficult to determine the presence of heartburn in a child, since he is not able to describe the discomfort with words. Doctors recommend caring parents to monitor changes in the behavior of the child.
With heartburn, the child:
- Crying after a meal. Crying causes a burning sensation in the chest.
- Toddler is burping. There is a complaint of nausea.
- The child shows that it hurts in the stomach or throat.
- The child is in a bad mood. Due to great discomfort, he does not sleep well.
If you notice such changes in the baby’s behavior, show it to the doctor. Only the doctor can determine the reason for the changes. The correctness and effectiveness of treatment depends on this.
Folk remedies for heartburn
According to statistics, about 40 percent of the world's population experiences heartburn. In one case, it is temporary, and in the other permanent. Regardless of this, the problem is accompanied by unpleasant symptoms and needs an urgent solution.
If there is heartburn, do not rush to buy special drugs, because there are proven folk remedies that normalize the acidity of the stomach. I will consider effective folk remedies that will help to quickly solve the problem without pills at home.
- Soda. A commonly available agent that provides a quick effect. In a glass of warm water, dissolve a pinch of soda and slowly drink the resulting composition, making a few sips in a minute. This is a temporary solution to the problem that is recommended as an emergency. With frequent relapses, I do not advise abusing soda.
- Potato juice. To solve the problem, drink half a glass of potato juice half an hour before breakfast for one decade in the morning on an empty stomach. After 10 days, take a break for two weeks, and then repeat the course.
- Herbal infusion. Pour in a glass jar a tablespoon of plantain, chamomile and hypericum, pour a glass of boiling water, make tincture. Take the drug 20 minutes before meals three times a day.
- Buckwheat. Fry buckwheat in a pan without adding oil until a dark brown shade is obtained. Crush the fried groats in a mortar and pass through a sieve. Take the powder three times a day at the tip of the knife.
- Apple vinegar. Acetic acid helps with heartburn. Dilute a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in 0.5 cups of boiled water and drink before a meal.
- Anise. Crush the seeds of anise in a mortar, pour a liter of vodka and hold in a dark place for one month. After time, add 300 grams of sugar and a little cinnamon, stir. Use after a glass of liquor.
- Peppermint infusion. Pour a teaspoon of grass with a glass of boiling water. Add a little apple juice to the resulting drink. Healthy and tasty nectar will help to cope with heartburn.
- Centaury. Two tablespoons of dry raw materials, pour a glass of boiling water, wait half an hour and strain. Take the drug in 0.5 cups three times a day. Course duration - 60 days.
- White birch. Cope with frequent heartburn will help ash from the bark of white birch. Take a folk remedy for 0.5 small tablespoons, washed down with warm water.
- Treatment fee. Mix yarrow, marsh cinnamon and St. John's wort in equal amounts. Three tablespoons of the resulting collection pour a liter of boiling water and strain after 2 hours. Take 4 times a day for 0.5 cups.
If the pain appeared suddenly, there is no pharmacy nearby and it is impossible to make the drug, water will come to the rescue. For heartburn, drink mineral water at room temperature. It will dilute stomach acid and ease the fate.
Medical preparations and pills against heartburn
To people who do not trust traditional medicine, I devote the following part of the article. In it, I will talk about the medicines offered by official medicine. There are many of them, the assortment is regularly expanding, and making the right choice is problematic.
Some medications are aimed at eliminating the causes of heartburn - the diseases that caused the pain. Sometimes an unpleasant burning sensation in the chest and mouth appears if there is no ailment. How to be?
In this case, drugs that lower the level of acidity of the gastric juice come to the rescue. Among them are Rennie, Gastal and Maalox. Also sold drugs that slow down the production of gastric acid - Omez, Ranitidine and Omeprazole.
Means are sold over the counter. Therefore, before use, I recommend that you carefully study the instructions, because a violation of the rules of reception is fraught with unpleasant consequences.
Now, consider one popular drug from each category and provide instructions for use.
How to take Renny for heartburn
Rennie comes to the rescue when a diet supplemented with the correct regimen does not provide the desired result. The medicine neutralizes excess acid in the stomach, as a result, the mucous membrane is protected.
A single dose of Rennie is 1-2 tablets. Pills are kept in the oral cavity until dissolved or chewed. If the dose is ineffective, after 3 hours it is recommended to repeat the dose. The maximum daily dose is limited to 16 tablets, provided that such a quantity is approved by a doctor.
The drug is allowed to be given to children from 12 years old. To solve the problem in young children, Rennie is rarely used, after examination and the appointment of a doctor.
The drug has side effects - an allergic reaction, worsening in people with kidney failure, increased production of gastric juice, if the drug is used in large quantities. As for contraindications, their list is presented by an individual intolerance to the components of Rennie, impaired renal function, myasthenia gravis, and a high calcium content in the body.
Omeprazole for Heartburn
To combat single heartburn, the use of omeprazole is not recommended. If the correction of lifestyle and nutrition did not give a result, and the burning does not go away, it is better to consult a doctor and undergo a tumor detection examination. Self-treatment with the drug is dangerous, because the medicine makes the oncological picture blurry.
When buying omeprazole, consider the dosage. The therapeutic dose is 40 mg. For preventive purposes, take 20 mg. Take capsules in the morning and evening before meals. If low doses are ineffective, the dosage is increased under the supervision of a physician. Depending on the specific case, the drug is taken from two weeks to two months. After taking hormonal and non-steroidal drugs, omeprazole is taken for no more than two decades.
Contraindications to taking the drug are lactation, pregnancy, sensitivity to components, renal failure, age under 16 years. As for the side effects, this is abdominal pain, drowsiness, nausea, upset bowels, pain in muscles and joints. Very rarely, taking medication leads to general malaise, visual impairment, swelling.
What helps with heartburn during pregnancy
The burning sensation behind the sternum is familiar to everyone. Usually, the cause of the phenomenon is poor nutrition, overweight, bad habits, salty or spicy foods. But pregnant women are often faced with this unpleasant and painful sensation. What is the reason?
During pregnancy, the girl’s body increases the amount of progesterone. Excess hormone relaxes smooth muscles. In addition, pressure on organs and muscles from the growing fetus increases. As a result, the ability of the gastric valves to contain the load is reduced. Along with the development of the fetus, the amount of acid increases in the digestive system of a woman. Its excess leads to frequent emissions into the esophagus. How to be?
First trimester
The occurrence of heartburn in the first trimester is the merit of malnutrition. Discomfort and burning in the chest and throat appears after eating fatty, spicy and fried foods. It makes sense to contact a doctor if the discomfort is lasting and is accompanied by an unpleasant burping.
To prevent heartburn less often in early pregnancy, review your diet. Do not overeat. Eat more often, but in small portions, chewing food thoroughly. Eat a few hours before bedtime, preferring steamed food. Include more dairy products, stewed vegetables and lean meats in your diet.
Second trimester
During this period, heartburn most often causes heartburn. Due to the increase in the uterus, intra-abdominal pressure rises, which complicates the digestive processes. In the second trimester, it is recommended to reduce the amount of food consumed so as not to overload the stomach.
To resolve the problem, divide the daily amount of food into 6 meals. If you can’t cope with heartburn without medication, consult your doctor.
Third trimester
In late pregnancy, heartburn causes the pelvic location of the child. This is due to fetal pressure on the diaphragm. According to doctors, severe heartburn is a harbinger of a large fetus, twins or triplets.
At the final stage of pregnancy, it will not be possible to solve the problem through diet. The fight against heartburn is reduced to taking medications that provide an enveloping effect, are not absorbed into the blood and do not upset the acid-base balance. Among these drugs are Maalox, Rennie, Gaviscon, Gastal and others.
If you do not want to take medications, traditional medicine will help. During pregnancy, it is allowed to use tinctures of centaury, calamus and other herbs. In any case, a consultation with a doctor is required.
Video material
I advise you to start the fight with folk remedies. If they do not help, switch to medication. Remember, the causes of heartburn during pregnancy pass after childbirth. Moreover, the problem itself does not cause the baby any discomfort. But if after a long-awaited moment the burning does not go away, look at the gastroenterologist.
Heartburn Diet
People suffering from heartburn are very interested in nutrition issues. What to eat? What foods cause chest discomfort? How to avoid exacerbation with a diet? Practice shows that some foods do exacerbate the ailment, others are safe, and others are beneficial.
Nutritionists have compiled a list of recommendations regarding nutrition and diet for heartburn at home. I advise you to use them as a starting point. It also does not hurt to keep a diary and record the effect on the body of certain products. This will help in creating a menu that will contribute to a quick recovery.
- Eat often in small portions. This approach will help prevent excessive production of stomach acid. Do not rush during the meal. To slow down the absorption of food, lower the cutlery on the table between bites.
- Full stomach and sleep are incomparable. Eat 3 hours before going to bed. Sleep on your left side and on a high pillow. Thanks to this technique you will forget about night heartburn.
- Avoid Heartburn Foods. Most often, fatty and spicy foods, chocolate, alcohol, coffee, ketchups and sauces, citrus fruits, and natural juices cause a problem. This is the average data. This is why it is important to keep a diary.
- Give up cigarettes. Nicotine adversely affects the performance of the muscle that controls the opening between the stomach and esophagus. As a result, she does not cope with the task of preventing the release of acid content into the esophagus.
- Obesity significantly exacerbates symptoms. Fight overweight. Chew gum before eating. Chewing enhances the production of saliva, which neutralizes excess stomach acid.
- Consume warm liquid. A glass of herbal tea, drunk at the end of the meal, will help the stomach in dissolving the acid. Plain water is also suitable. The main thing is that a single dose of fluid is moderate.
- Avoid stressful situations and exercise. Train on an empty stomach.
In conclusion, I will list products whose use at home is welcomed by nutritionists for heartburn. These are sweet apples, lean meat, fish, bananas, low-fat dairy products, vegetables.
Causes and consequences of heartburn
With heartburn, gastric juice rises from the stomach into the esophagus, resulting in a burning sensation that brings discomfort.Sometimes a problem is encountered by absolutely healthy people, often it indicates the presence of a more serious disease. In any case, inaction cannot be, otherwise serious consequences cannot be avoided.
Causes of Heartburn
To solve the problem and not harm the body, determine the cause of its occurrence. What causes heartburn?
- Weakening of the sphincter.
- Overeating.
- Abuse of salty, smoked, fatty or fried foods.
- Smoking, excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages, strong tea, coffee.
- Digestive system diseases - cholecystitis, ulcer, gastritis.
- Food before bedtime.
- Doing sports after eating.
- Snacks and a dryer.
- Eating spicy, hot or cold meals.
- Pregnancy.
- Wearing tight belts and belts.
If heartburn appears constantly, be sure to see a doctor. Inaction or blind treatment will not bring any benefits. Perhaps the problem is caused by the wrong daily routine and power outages. Then it’s easy to solve. But it is possible that burning is a messenger of an intensely developing ailment, which you do not even know about.
The consequences of heartburn
Constantly appearing heartburn is an unpleasant thing, and it's not just about discomfort. The consequences of the phenomenon are incredibly dangerous due to the constant aggressive effect of the acidic environment on the esophagus.
Often, heartburn appears along with other symptoms. In addition to burning in the mouth, a bitter or sour taste appears. And the presence of weakness, fatigue, vomiting, poor appetite, a stool with a bloody impurity is a signal of the need for urgent medical care.
A prolonged course or lack of proper treatment is fraught with the development of serious pathologies, including narrowing of the stricture, esophageal ulcer, Barrett's syndrome, and cancer. Such problems not only worsen the quality of life, but are also fraught with death. Therefore, with frequent relapse of heartburn, contact the clinic. Do not wait for complications.