Heartburn is one of the most common symptoms of an upset digestive system. However, how dangerous is heartburn? Is there an urgent need to see a doctor if a person has an attack of heartburn, or is it worth trying to cope with the problem at home? What does this symptom say?
The physiology of man in general, and the digestive system in particular, have a lot of features. However, medicine has long found answers to most fundamental questions. So it will not be difficult to answer.
Causes of Heartburn
Initially, you should find out what heartburn is, and why it appears. To understand where the painful sensations come from, it is worth remembering that the stomach contains the acid necessary for digestion. Gastric juice is always acidic, which ensures normal digestion, but in the esophagus, through which food enters the stomach, a neutral pH is observed. After all, here the digestion processes have not yet started, and acid is not needed at all.
The esophagus provides only the delivery of the chewed mass into the stomach, this is where its functions end. In order to exclude mixing of the media, a sphincter is located at the entrance to the stomach. It passes food inward, but excludes the release of masses or liquids from the stomach back up. However, in some cases, the sphincter does not work or is weakened, which ultimately leads to the penetration of gastric acid into the esophagus - to reflux.
The stomach is resistant to acid due to its natural defense - mucus. But the esophagus does not know how to produce it, and therefore remains vulnerable. Acid irritates and corrodes walls, creating a risk of chemical burns. Therefore, a person experiences a burning sensation, even pain in the area above the stomach - usually the symptoms are felt behind the sternum.
Why can acid be in the esophagus?
As already noted, heartburn begins when the sphincter of the stomach is weakened, which should not normally allow the contents of the stomach up. In addition, there is a certain dependence on the concentration of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. An increase in acidity, as well as a weakening of the sphincter, can occur in a number of pathological conditions, which allows calling heartburn a symptom of digestive disorders and concomitant diseases.
Interesting fact: 20-50 percent of the population of large countries regularly experience heartburn. At the same time, 10 to 20 percent meet her more often than once a week. This indicator is serious, it emphasizes the urgency of digestive problems.
So, GERD, a reflux disease, which is formed directly by sphincter insufficiency, can lead to heartburn. In such cases, the manifestation can occur immediately after eating or in the period up to half an hour after it, there may also be belching, gastritis, formed by high acidity.
Very often, patients complain of pain in the stomach. It is also worth noting that GERD is a frequent companion of ulcers. If you feel heartburn every time after eating, you must immediately go to the doctor for examination - to the gastroenterologist, so that he diagnoses and prescribes treatment.
Further - heartburn often accompanies a violation of diet. If a person eats irregularly, overeats, relies on snacks, and even more so if he eats improperly, all this can cause heartburn. So, the main factors in this regard are:
- Overeating or hunger;
- Haste while eating or eating “on the go”;
- Smoking on an empty stomach, drinking alcohol;
- Spicy, fatty or fried in the diet.
Interesting fact: Strong coffee in the morning on an empty stomach can harm anyone.
And the psychological state of a person is strongly reflected in the state of the stomach. With chronic stress, heartburn, and even gastritis, may well begin.
We should also talk about pregnancy. Many women experience heartburn during this period, even with a healthy stomach. Indeed, the pressure on the abdominal organs increases, which can literally “squeeze” the contents of the stomach out.
In such cases, it is worth switching to fractional nutrition, eat more often, but in small portions. Heartburn when lifting heavy things after eating, excessive exercise immediately after lunch, and even wearing very tight and tight clothes can be a similar problem. These things are best avoided.
When is heartburn a symptom of a serious illness?
If heartburn hurts constantly, or is accompanied by other symptoms, it is necessary see a doctor immediately. After all, it can be a symptom or a harbinger of a number of dangerous diseases, such as gastritis and stomach ulcers.In addition, she can provoke various diseases herself.
If acid regularly enters the esophagus, esophagitis, an inflammation of this organ, may develop. Also, ulcers and erosion of the esophagus, narrowing of scar tissue, which leads to serious health consequences, are possible.
And also it is worth knowing that pains similar to sensations with heartburn can indicate angina pectoris or an approaching heart attack. So you can’t leave them unattended.
Thus, heartburn occurs when acid enters the esophagus from the stomach. The reasons may be different, but in any case, with a frequently occurring or pronounced symptom of this type, you should consult a doctor.
