Heartburn
Causes and Treatments of Heartburn
What foods cause these problems?
There are a number of foods that are best avoided in case of getting this kind of problem. These foods work by relaxing the cardia or increasing the secretion of acid.
In general, as noted earlier, we recommend a diet moderately high in protein foods and low in fat. Spicy foods should be removed from the diet, because they decrease, like fatty foods, sphincter pressure. Other foods to be checked are chocolate, coffee and tea beverages, in particular the white wine and cava.
We recommend modifying the diet according to the following general recommendations:
- Maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding overweight and obesity.
- Chew and eat slowly, crushing food thoroughly.
- Spread the diet in small volumes. Is advised for 4-5 meals a day to discourage excessive gastric acid secretion.
- The last meal should be at least 2 hours before bedtime.
- Take a diet rich in protein and low in fat, based on lean meats, fish, low fat dairy products, etc., Avoiding fried, battered, stews, sausages, whole milk, cream, butter and sauces.
Tips to Prevention of Heartburn
What is the recommended treatment?
The treatment, as a whole can be approached from three perspectives: pharmacological, dietary and postural.
In case of occurrence of sporadic heartburn, you can complain to the use of drugs such as antacids or acid secretion inhibitors (omeprazole), but always under medical advice.
It should be noted that its effect is short lived and do not help prevent heartburn, so that would be very useful in case of frequent or severe heartburn. In addition, continuous intake could aggravate the problem.
If frequently suffer with this disorder, it is best to avoid certain foods and postures that increase the heat. It has been shown that certain nutrients from food (proteins and fats, primarily) can change the pressure on the cardia, making some foods are poorly tolerated in these cases.
Proteins, for example, increase the pressure of the cardia, so it is recommended that the diet be moderately rich in them. On the other hand, fat, lower sphincter pressure, which it relaxes, and slow gastric emptying. Hence, in these cases, prescribed diets low in fat.
Tips to Combat Heartburn
The burning or heartburn, also known as heartburn, is characterized by a burning sensation that starts in the pit of the stomach, behind the breastbone and travels through the chest to the throat. This symptom usually occurs one hour after eating the food and may persist for several more.
Sometimes accompanied by a feeling that food or liquids back into the throat or mouth (regurgitation), especially when the person bends over or leans (one speaks of esophageal reflux). These symptoms also tend to be accompanied by a bitter or sour flavor that invades the mouth.
Why does it occur?
Heartburn is caused by a malfunctioning lower esophageal sphincter, cardia. The cardia is an opening or ring of muscle that separates the esophagus and stomach. Its function is to allow the passage of food from the esophagus to the stomach, not the other way.