Heartburn: Hints on Dealing

Heartburn has nothing to do with the heart or its systems. There is a widespread problem with the digestive organs system.

When we swallow food, it leaves a tube called the esophagus, through a one-way valve known as the lower esophagus sphincter (LES), and reaches the stomach. The stomach secretes digestive juices, including hydrochloric acid, to reduce food graere into smaller molecules for absorption. This acid is very corrosive and burns most substances. The stomach is against the acid by a layer of jelly-like substance called mucosa.

When this one-way valve, the LES, too weak or is loosened by alcohol or drugs, they do not seal of the esophagus from the stomach. The stomach acid into the esophagus spills, and inflames and irritates the unprotected esophagus, which is known as heartburn. If the stomach is too full and due to overeating, of the LES and the way there acid can esophagus.

The the main symptoms of heartburn are burning pain behind the sternum and radiating upwards, the feeling of the liquid to come to the top of the throat And a bitter or sour taste in mouth.

A common treatment for heartburn is to neutralize stomach acid or reduce its production. We must not forget that stomach acid is part of the digestive and if we neutralize that we are interfering with the digestive system, which is the source of all our energy.

Antacids are the most popular treatment for heartburn. They are fast-acting, but only effective in the short term (about 2 hours). They neutralize the stomach acid and relieve. H2-blockers suppress the production of stomach acid and are effective up to 12 hours. Long-term treatment with drugs to improve the muscle tone in the digestive tract and LES, changes.

Lifestyle and lifestyle changes include eating the right kind of foods, not lead to the production of stomach acid, exercising regularly and maintaining Good muscle tone in the body, avoiding smoking, alcohol and caffeine, avoiding too much stress and maintaining the correct weight.

In a small percentage of cases there may be some serious problem, like GERD, the special needs of diagnostic tools and the attention of a specialist.

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