New figures have recently been published in the US (University of California) on everyday ailments. In addition to a few fairly superficial skin conditions, heartburn was clearly identified as an ailment for which you do not immediately go to the doctor, but which is experienced as “difficult”. In the Netherlands, antacids are also frequently sold over the counter. What is it actually and how can you solve it?
Function of stomach acid
If you suffer from heartburn, officially called reflux, your stomach juices come back into the esophagus, so to speak. The gastric juices are very important in the stomach, because they kill bacteria, fish and parasites that threaten to enter our body through the food we consume.
Cause
There are various causes, such as:
- Excessive alcohol and acidic fruit juices
- The closing mechanism between esophagus and stomach that does not function properly
- Reaction to medications
- Strong hormonal changes
Prevent or cure
Prevent
Provided that prevention is always better, this is not always possible. However, there are a number of things you can take into account if you want to prevent it.
- Watch your weight, obesity can stimulate a certain sensitivity.
- Watch what you drink.
- Make sure that your head is slightly higher in bed than the rest of your body.
- Don’t eat right before bedtime or before an intense workout.
Cured
The diagnosis is generally made quite quickly and if there is still any doubt, a definitive answer can be given by means of X-ray examination using contrast agent (barium pap) or, and this is often experienced as unpleasant, by means of an endoscopy (a tube that goes through the mouth to the esophagus) can be given clarity.Once the diagnosis has been made, the doctor can, for example, give you production inhibitors for the gastric juices . But it can also ensure that the sphincter muscle strengthens again or stimulate food to pass more quickly. Depending on the cause, surgery may also be performed to, for example, repair the diaphragm or adjust the closing mechanism.If you want to try it yourself first, an antacid can be obtained without a prescription. Just don’t use such a product for too long. Otherwise it can cause digestive problems. Gastric acid inhibitors are widely used, but it has now been shown that this increases the risk of pneumonia. Not surprising in itself, because stomach acid has a function as described earlier and this function is therefore also paralyzed with such a drug.
Finally
In itself, occasional heartburn is not such a problem, but if it continues, it is good to take action to the doctor. It can usually be solved quickly and easily and prevents long-term trouble and all its possible consequences.