Treating heartburn

Tips for patients suffering from heartburn

Acidity Heartburn can be defined as the feeling of burning in the chest, often in the middle of it behind the sternum, and this occurs as a result of stomach acid refluxing into the esophagus, and although many suffer from acidity, but most cases do not require consulting a doctor, so you should not see a doctor except in Cases in which the patient suffers from frequent heartburn so that he suffers from it more than twice per week, or if the heartburn is severe and the symptoms are severe, or if the heartburn appears with symptoms indicating a serious condition such as pain that extends to the arm or neck Or, suffering from shortness of breath, and it should be noted that there are some positions that worsen the acidity of the stomach, such as lying on the back or the right side, and it is worth noting that the most common causes of heartburn or heartburn is what is known as gastroesophageal reflux.

 Wearing loose-fitting clothing: 

Wearing a belt or tight clothes in general causes pressure on the stomach, which causes the stomach components to reflux into the esophagus, including its acid, which leads to the suffering of the patient from acidity in the stomach, and therefore the injured can be advised to avoid tight clothes to prevent this problem.

Standing completely straight:

 One of the things that helps prevent stomach components from wearing into the esophagus is the lower esophageal sphincter, and standing upright reduces pressure on this muscle, which reduces the possibility of suffering from heartburn, and therefore it can be said that the patient who suffers from acidity is advised to stand in He was sitting or lying down when symptoms of acidity appeared, and it is advised to stand completely straight if he was standing in an uneven posture. Drink a mixture of soda and water: You can add a spoonful of sodium bicarbonate, known as soda, to a cup of water to neutralize the acidity of the stomach, and it is recommended that you take this solution slowly.

 The ginger experiment:

Although ginger was used in ancient folk cultures to reduce stomach acidity, there is no scientific evidence at present to support this matter, and this does not prevent the experiment with using ginger for this purpose, and this can be done by adding it to soups and various foods, or preparing ginger tea by adding it To boiling water and drink it, and it is worth noting the need to refrain from consuming soft drinks flavored with ginger, because it may worsen the patient's condition.

Take licorice supplements:

Licorice supplements have always been used in ancient folk civilizations to treat and reduce stomach acidity, because it is believed that licorice increases the thickness of the mucus lining the esophagus, and this in turn protects it from acid refluxing from the stomach, but it should be noted that licorice may cause side effects such as high blood pressure and lowering potassium levels And more, and therefore it is necessary to consult a doctor before trying these supplements.

Try apple cider vinegar:

 Apple cider vinegar can be diluted in water and eat a little after meals, based on popular beliefs about the role of apple cider vinegar in relieving acidity symptoms, but it should be noted that there are no studies with sufficient results to prove this effectiveness.

Chewing gum:

It was found that chewing gum stimulates the secretion of saliva and the process of swallowing, which in turn reduces stomach acids in the esophagus, and in fact it has been shown that chewing gum for about half an hour after meals helps reduce stomach acidity.

stop smoking:

It is worth abstaining from smoking and tobacco derivatives in general to relieve suffering from heartburn. Taking medications: There are many drug options that are sold without a prescription to relieve stomach acid, and the most common can be summarized as follows: Anti-pelvic drugs, which work to neutralize the acids produced by the stomach. Histamine 2 receptor blockers, which work by reducing the amount of acid that the stomach makes, such as ranitidine. Proton pump inhibitors also reduce the amount of acid that the stomach makes, such as esomeprazole and omeprazole.

Other tips: These include the need to maintain an ideal healthy weight, and avoid heartburn triggers such as eating chocolate, caffeinated drinks, citrus fruits, tomatoes, mint, fried foods high in fat, and alcohol, and it is also advised to avoid lying down after eating.

Complications of heartburn

In fact, stomach acidity is not usually a serious health problem, but this does not exclude the possibility of causing serious complications if it is very severe or if it occurs frequently, and then the patient may suffer from what is known as esophagitis, and this in turn causes changes in the lining of the esophagus. It increases the patient's risk of suffering from esophageal cancer, and other complications that may result from suffering from stomach acid disturbance in the lifestyle of the patient, either because of his inability to do what he is used to, or because of his need to take medicine in a chronic manner, which negatively affects his psyche.