What to do to relieve heartburn?
The end-of-year holiday season gives rise to many rich and boozy meals. Also, the body does not always manage this sudden and substantial influx of food and alcohol well. Some digestive disorders follow, starting with heartburn. What exactly is it and how do I fix it?
What is heartburn?
1- Definition
A heartburn, or epigastric burn, is a painful sensation in the stomach pocket. It is often confused with heartburn, which is characterized by a burning sensation starting in the stomach and spreading to the sternum. This sensation is often accompanied by acid reflux to the esophagus (called gastroesophageal reflux, or GERD), which can reach the throat, leaving an acid impression and an unpleasant taste in the mouth. During digestion, the glands located on the wall of the stomach produce gastric juices (gastric acid, pepsin, gastric lipase, mucus, etc.), which allow food to be digested, reducing its consistency. During heartburn, some of these juices go up the retrosternal route and inflame the esophagus.
The two phenomena being concomitant, it is commonly accepted to speak of heartburn to designate stomach pains and heartburn.
2- Causes of heartburn
Heartburn is, most of the time, a benign condition. It affects around 10% of the French population, who experience GERD at least once a week. Most of the time, heartburn occurs after eating food that is too rich, too copious or too spicy, or when the food has not been chewed enough. They are accentuated by the lying position, which also encourages reflux.
However, other causes can trigger heartburn:
- The stress
- pregnancy _
- Alcohol consumption
- The tobacco
- overweight and obesity
- Taking medication, such as anti-inflammatories
Often, the burns are punctual and do not require a medical consultation. On the other hand, if they are frequent and recurrent, and represent a significant discomfort, it is important to plan a visit to a doctor. It may in fact be a bacteriological disease caused by Helicobacter pylori. This bacterium, present in 50% of humans (1) , colonizes the stomach wall and proliferates there. It can thus cause serious illnesses such as peptic ulcers (80% are caused by H. pylori (2) ), or chronic gastritis.
How to prevent heartburn?
To prevent heartburn and GERD, a few lifestyle and dietary measures are generally sufficient. All you have to do is identify the causes of the phenomenon and remedy them. Also, to prevent the appearance of heartburn, it is strongly advised to:
- Split meals, to avoid overloading the stomach, and chew well
- Avoid fatty foods, fried foods, spices , acidic foods, sauces, chocolate , fermented foods, red meats
- Do not drink coffee , alcohol, acidic fruit juices and sodas
- Favor “soft” foods for the stomach ( white meat , fish, cooked vegetables, starches) and healthy cooking methods (steam, grilled)
- Avoid tobacco and stress
- Do not lie down immediately after a meal
- Avoid taking GERD-promoting medications without meals
- Do not wear clothes that compress the stomach wall
How to soothe heartburn?
1- Call your doctor
First of all, it is possible to use the medicinal solution. Antacids (antispasmodics, gastric dressings) help relieve pain and occasional reflux. If the heartburn is more recurrent, the doctor may prescribe an antisecretory (such as PPIs such as pantoprazole or omeprazole). In the long term, a more thorough examination may take place, to invalidate or confirm the presence of H. pylori or another underlying pathology.
2- Opt for homeopathy
Some homeopathic treatments can calm gastric fire caused by a food cause:
- Arsenicum album 5 CH, when heartburn is accompanied by nausea and thirst.
- Sulfuricum acidum 5 CH, if heartburn is due to food and alcohol excesses.
- Nux vomica 5 CH, if the burns are due to excessive eating and associated with spasms, a stuffy tongue, post-meal drowsiness, a feeling of swelling .
- Iris versicolor 5 CH, in case of gastric acidity, heartburn, reflux.
- Cantharsis 5 CH, in case of heartburn and thirst, but when the absorption of liquid accentuates the pain.
In addition, homeopathy can also treat heartburn due to stress:
- Argentum nitricum 5 CH, in case of pain caused by anxiety.
- Ignatia 9 CH, when heartburn is associated with cramps and caused by negative emotions.
3- Bet on the power of plants
Herbal medicine can also be an ally against heartburn. Some plants are particularly soothing and can also revive sluggish digestion.
- Licorice root, which can be consumed after meals as an infusion or decoction.
- Mallow which, due to its high mucilage content, protects the digestive mucous membranes from acidity.
- Fennel seeds, which have eupeptic properties and relieve bloating , nausea, aerophagia and stomach pain.
- Noble chamomile which, in the form of essential oil (1 drop) and diluted in honey, can soothe gastroesophageal reflux.
- Turmeric , whose curcumin decreases gastric hypersecretion and has anti-inflammatory properties.
- Angelica works as both a digestive tract stimulant and a natural anxiolytic, soothing stress and anxiety.
- Basil, carminative and slightly narcotic, helps both calm reflux and belching, and promote sleep.
4- Make a natural gastric bandage
If heartburn is occasional, it is also possible to substitute conventional antacids with natural gastric dressings. Some substances will act as such:
- Drinkable Aloe Vera gel will have a protective effect on the stomach wall.
- Psyllium , rich in mucilages, will also “line” the digestive mucosa and will also boost transit .
- White clay can also be used to make a bandage. Just mix a teaspoon of clay in a large glass of water, let stand overnight and drink the mixture the next day, without swallowing the clay deposit at the bottom of the glass.
Stephen Paul is the lead author and founder of My Health Sponsor. Holder of a diploma in health and well-being coaching with more than 200 articles in the field of health, he makes it a point of honor to offer advice based on reliable information, based on scientific research, and verified by health professionals.