Heartburn And Belching: Causes, Treatment, Folk Remedies

2024 Author: Rachel Wainwright | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-15 19:51

Heartburn and belching

The content of the article:

What you need to know about symptoms
1. Heartburn
2. Belching
3. If symptoms appear together
Heartburn and belching: causes
1. Improper nutrition
2. Other factors
3. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
4. Gastritis
5. Pregnancy
Diagnostic methods
Heartburn and Belching: Treatment
1. Lifestyle change
2. Diet therapy
3. Drug therapy
4. Folk remedies
Video

Heartburn and belching are common complaints from the digestive tract. Their appearance does not always indicate the presence of a serious illness, but it brings a lot of unpleasant sensations. Symptoms can occur with errors in nutrition, overeating, during pregnancy. At the same time, sour belching and heartburn can indicate inflammation of the esophagus and stomach.

Heartburn and belching can be a sign of a digestive tract disorder, especially when they occur regularly

What you need to know about symptoms

Heartburn and belching can occur both separately and together. To determine the cause and tactics of treatment, it is important to understand why these symptoms occur, what changes in the body they indicate.

Heartburn

Heartburn is a burning sensation in the esophagus, which is localized in the retrosternal region. The onset of the symptom is associated with the ingress of gastric juice on the esophageal mucosa. Two main factors affect the development of heartburn:

Relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter.
Increased stomach acidity.

The lower esophageal sphincter separates the esophagus from the stomach, preventing the return of food. If it does not work, aggressive stomach contents can enter the esophagus. The higher the acidity of the stomach, the stronger the damage to the esophageal mucosa.

What is typical for heartburn:

the nature of the sensations is burning;
localization - retrosternal area;
provoking factors - increases in a horizontal position, when the body bends, after eating, at night;
relieving factors - natural antacids (milk, soda) and drugs that reduce acidity.

Belching

Belching is the exit of gastric gas into the oral cavity, accompanied by a characteristic sound. The symptom occurs when the pressure inside the stomach rises. Belching can be of a different nature:

bitter - appears as a result of the throwing of bile into the stomach;
putrid - arises from fermentation processes, rotting food in the stomach;
acidic - appears with increased acidity of gastric contents.

If symptoms appear together

Sometimes symptoms occur simultaneously, along with a burning sensation in the esophagus, sour eructation appears. This can be observed with increased acidity of the stomach or the reflux of gastric juice into the esophagus.

Heartburn and belching: causes

Symptoms can appear for a variety of reasons, ranging from eating disorders to gastritis and esophagitis. In some cases, discomfort occurs periodically, in others - constantly. If symptoms occur intermittently, it is most likely due to poor diet. Constant heartburn and belching indicate damage to the organs of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT).

Improper nutrition

Recurrent occurrence of heartburn and belching in most cases indicates an unhealthy diet. There are a number of factors that trigger the onset of symptoms:

Binge eating.
Eating before bed.
The habit of lying down after eating.
The habit of eating on the go, do not chew food thoroughly. This often results in air being swallowed while eating.
The use of gas-forming products - peas, beans, cabbage. As a result, gases are formed in the stomach, which increases intragastric pressure, leading to belching.
The use of foods that increase acidity - citrus fruits, freshly squeezed juices, strong tea, coffee, hot spices, chili peppers. Increased acidity provokes heartburn and sour belching.
Eating foods that reduce the tone of the lower esophageal sphincter - mint, fatty and fried foods, chocolate. Relaxation of the sphincter leads to the reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus.

Other factors

The factors that provoke the joint appearance of symptoms also include smoking and drinking alcohol. Nicotine stimulates the secretion of hydrochloric acid and also reduces the tone of the lower esophageal sphincter.

Overweight people are more likely to develop symptoms. Their development can also be provoked by tight clothing that tightens the stomach.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

The most common condition associated with heartburn and belching is GERD. The disease is characterized by damage to the esophagus due to prolonged contact of its mucous membrane with gastric contents. Normally, the stomach is acidic, and the esophagus is alkaline. Therefore, getting into the esophagus of hydrochloric acid leads to damage to the mucous membrane.

The main signs of GERD are:

heartburn;
sour belching;
chest pain.

These symptoms are more common after meals and at night. The manifestations are intensified in a horizontal position, with bending of the body.

There are also extraesophageal manifestations of GERD. Additionally, coughing, sore throat, and hoarseness may occur.

Gastritis

Heartburn and belching can indicate stomach damage, often such symptoms occur with gastritis. The development of gastritis is influenced by many factors:

Helicobacter Pylori infection;
taking medications that irritate the gastric mucosa (glucocorticoids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs);
improper nutrition;
throwing the contents of the duodenum into the stomach (duodenogastric reflux);
hypovitaminosis - especially vitamin B12 deficiency;
genetic predisposition.

Heartburn most often occurs with gastritis with high acidity. Also, gastroesophageal reflux can be observed in other forms of gastritis, which are accompanied by a violation of the evacuation of food from the stomach, an increase in intragastric pressure.

Belching with gastritis can be of a different nature. Most often, sour belching is observed, which is accompanied by a burning sensation behind the breastbone. Belching with a putrid odor is less common - this character indicates low acidity.

Gastritis is also characterized by other symptoms associated with indigestion:

heaviness in the epigastric region that occurs after eating;

severe pain in the epigastrium;
nausea, less often vomiting;
an unpleasant taste in the mouth;
defecation disorders.

Pregnancy

Often, symptoms first appear during pregnancy, both early and late.

In the first trimester, the onset of symptoms is toxicosis, accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Frequent vomiting leads to irritation of the esophageal wall.

In the second and third trimester of pregnancy, the reasons are different:

Under the influence of progesterone (the main hormone of pregnancy), the tone of the lower esophageal sphincter decreases.
An increase in the size of the uterus leads to an increase in intra-abdominal pressure. Because of this, the stomach is located more horizontally, and its volume decreases.

Diagnostic methods

If heartburn and belching occur constantly, an examination is required. Frequent onset of symptoms usually indicates the presence of some kind of pathology. To identify the cause, the following research methods are prescribed:

Research method	Explanation
24-hour monitoring of pH in the esophagus	The study is prescribed to detect gastroesophageal refluxes (reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus). Using the daily pH-metry of the esophagus, you can determine: · The number of episodes of changes in pH (reflux); · Their duration; · Connection with food intake, body position; · The influence of drugs on the occurrence of refluxes.
Manometric examination of the esophageal sphincters	Allows you to identify a change in the tone of the lower esophageal sphincter. A decrease in its tone often causes the appearance of gastroesophageal refluxes and belching.
Fibrogastroduodenoscopy (FGDS)	Endoscopic examination is prescribed to assess the condition of the mucous membrane of the esophagus and stomach. With the help of EGDS, it is possible to identify inflammatory changes, erosion, ulcers, and strictures of the esophagus.
Identifying Helicobacter pylori infection	Often, persistent heartburn and belching are symptoms of gastritis caused by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori. Different methods can be used to detect infection: · Determination of Helicobacter pylori in feces; · Urease breath test; · Endoscopic examination with biopsy.

Heartburn and Belching: Treatment

The main method of combating heartburn and belching is to normalize nutrition. In most cases, this is sufficient for the symptoms to disappear. If the reason for the appearance of unpleasant sensations lies in the pathology of the esophagus and stomach, medication or surgical treatment is additionally used. At home, you can use folk recipes, but this should not be the only treatment.

Lifestyle change

The lifestyle that a person leads has a huge impact on the development of symptoms. To reduce discomfort, you need to quit smoking, limit alcohol consumption, and normalize body weight. Light exercise is recommended.

Recommendations will help get rid of heartburn and belching:

Sleep on a bed with a raised head end.
Wear clothing that does not compress the abdominal area.
Drink water throughout the day (1.5–2 liters per day in small portions).

Diet therapy

A gentle diet is necessary to relieve symptoms. It is recommended to exclude the following foods from the diet:

coffee and strong tea;
mint drinks;
carbonated drinks;
spices and spices;
fatty and fried foods;
grapes;
canned food;
pastry products;
chocolate;
citrus;
tomatoes.

At the same time, it is necessary to increase the content of natural antacids in the diet - products that reduce acidity. These include low-fat milk, walnuts, peanuts, whole grains, herbs and vegetables, and baked fruits. Food should contain a sufficient amount of proteins and vitamins.

Other recommendations can help reduce the likelihood of developing symptoms:

You need to eat often (3 main meals, 2-3 snacks), but in small portions.
Don't overeat.
The last meal should be no later than 3 hours before bedtime.
Chew food thoroughly.
Do not bend over or lie down immediately after eating.

Drug therapy

If diet therapy and lifestyle changes are not enough, medication is prescribed. Drug therapy is aimed at protecting the mucous membrane of the esophagus and stomach, as well as reducing acidity. For this purpose, the following groups of medicines are prescribed:

Group of drugs	Mechanism of action	Examples of drugs
Antacids	Antacids are drugs that neutralize the already secreted hydrochloric acid. They also affect the increase in the production of protective mucus, have an enveloping effect. The disadvantage of this group of drugs is that the body responds to an attempt to neutralize hydrochloric acid with alkali by increasing acid production. Therefore, acidity with prolonged use of antacids can increase.	Absorbable Antacids - Rennie. Non-absorbable antacids - Maalox, Almagel, Fosfalugel, Gaviskon, Alumag.
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)	PPIs are antisecretory drugs. They decrease the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, reducing acidity. The advantage of PPIs is a long-term effect, the absence of a compensatory increase in acid production (as when taking antacids).	Omeprazole, Pantoprazole, Rabeprazole, Lansoprazole.
H2-histamine receptor blockers	H2 receptor blockers are also classified as antisecretory drugs. They block the stimulating effect of histamine, thereby reducing the production of hydrochloric acid.	Ranitidine, Famotidine, Cimetidine.
Prokinetics	Drugs from this group improve peristalsis, increase the tone of the pylorus. This speeds up the movement of food through the digestive tract, prevents the appearance of vomiting, belching.	Metoclopramide, Domperidone.

Any medication to eliminate belching and heartburn should be prescribed by a doctor, self-medication is unacceptable

If the cause of symptoms is Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis, drug therapy is aimed at killing the bacteria. A triple eradication scheme is used:

Clarithromycin is an antibiotic from the macrolide group.
Ampicillin is an antibiotic from the penicillin group.
One of the proton pump inhibitors is Omeprazole, Pantoprazole, or others.

Folk remedies

You can reduce heartburn and belching at home. An additional method of treatment is the use of folk remedies - herbs, some food products. They act mildly, rarely cause side effects. At the same time, it is not worth limiting only to the use of folk remedies, they must be combined with proper nutrition, taking medications.

Name of funds	How it works, cooking method	How to use
Flax seeds	Flax seeds have an enveloping effect, protecting the mucous membrane of the esophagus and stomach. Method of preparation of infusion: 2 tablespoons of seeds, you need to pour 100 ml of boiling water, leave for 3 hours. The use of this remedy reduces heartburn.	You need to take an infusion of 50 ml before bedtime. With an exacerbation of symptoms, the frequency can be increased up to 3 times a day.
Baking soda	Baking soda is a natural antacid and can reduce stomach acidity. To prepare 0.5 teaspoon of soda, dissolve in 200 ml of warm water. Soda cannot be used for a long time, since neutralization of acid with alkali can lead to a compensatory increase in gastric acidity. Soda solution should not be used during pregnancy.	The baking soda solution should be sipped when symptoms appear.
pharmaceutical camomile	Chamomile flowers reduce inflammation, have a beneficial effect on the condition of the mucous membrane of the esophagus and stomach. A decoction can be made from chamomile flowers. This will require 3 tablespoons of chamomile flowers and 1 glass of water. The broth should be kept in a water bath for 20 minutes. Then remove from heat and let cool.	Drink 1 tablespoon 3 times a day 30 minutes before meals.
Vegetable oil	To reduce heartburn and sour belching, you can use vegetable oil - olive, sunflower, rapeseed, linseed. Vegetable oils reduce stomach acidity, eliminate acid reflux.	It is recommended to drink 1 tablespoon of the oil if symptoms occur.
Potato juice	Potatoes can help reduce acid reflux. To prepare the product, you need to follow the recipe: wash and peel 2 medium potatoes, grate on a fine grater, squeeze the juice through cheesecloth.	It is better to drink juice immediately after preparation. Single dose - 3 tablespoons 20 minutes before meals.
Milk	To eliminate heartburn and sour belching, you can use a natural antacid - milk. It neutralizes hydrochloric acid in the stomach and eliminates discomfort.	It is recommended to drink 100-200 ml of warm milk 1 hour before or after a meal.