Reflux, as heartburn is called in technical jargon, is widespread. About ten to twenty percent of the population suffer from it once or twice a week. Around ten percent of people even regularly take medication against the unpleasant belching, which can damage the esophagus in the long term.
What is heartburn anyway?
The stomach is surrounded by a protective mucous membrane. This makes it insensitive to stomach acid. If the gastric juice gets into the esophagus, which has no such protection, we perceive it as heartburn. It is actually protected by a kind of sphincter muscle, but sometimes a bit of it gets through anyway.
Causes of Heartburn
Everybody knows occasional heartburn. Such reflux can occur especially after very fatty food, strong spices or after too much coffee. Other reasons can be tobacco consumption or alcohol. Accordingly, an unhealthy diet is also one of the most common reasons for acid regurgitation. But eating certain foods such as citrus fruits, chocolate or apples can also promote heartburn.
Pregnant women are also often affected. The growing uterus increases the pressure on the stomach. At the same time, the sphincter muscle to the esophagus relaxes. As a result, gastric juice flows more easily into the esophagus.
But heartburn can also be psychosomatic. This means that the body reacts to something that actually has to do with the psyche, such as stress or worries.
What are the consequences of heartburn?
In the vast majority of cases, heartburn has no health consequences if it only occurs occasionally. However, if gastro-oesophageal reflux disease is present, acidic eructation is also much more common and this can actually have an impact on health. About 75 percent of all people affected by this disease suffer from heartburn. Regular heartburn is then no longer entirely safe, it can damage the esophagus and increase the risk of esophageal cancer. Therefore, frequent heartburn should definitely be treated.
What can you do about a stomachache?
Mild heartburn can usually be countered relatively easily. Usually it is enough to change your eating habits. It is often sufficient to eat certain foods in bulk or to avoid them entirely. Just like alcohol and tobacco.
Home remedies for burning stomach
- warm milk
- Gastrointestinal teas
- Camomile tea
- slow chewing of nuts, oatmeal or almonds
- raw carrots
- dry white bread
- zwieback
- cooked potatoes
- Mix half a teaspoon of baking soda in a large glass of water and drink (this remedy, which can help acutely, should not be used too often)
- drink plenty of still water
If heartburn is common, drugs are used to prevent the esophagus from becoming inflamed. If the inflammation is very advanced, it may even be necessary to operate. The earlier you see a specialist if you have regular, severe heartburn, the better.
The best medicinal plants for the stomach
A feeling of fullness and a real bloated stomach are typical after the holidays: They are mostly harmless, but very uncomfortable. Here you can find out which plants and herbs help to combat ailments such as pain, bloating or nausea.
A feeling of fullness and a real bloated stomach are typical after the holidays
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A feeling of fullness and a real bloated stomach are typical after the holidays: They are mostly harmless, but very uncomfortable. Here you can find out which plants and herbs help to combat ailments such as pain, bloating or nausea.
Where does the hiccups come from?
As soon as you have drunk a little over your thirst, it is already there, the annoying hiccups. But why?
If a certain amount is exceeded, alcohol hits the diaphragm.
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As soon as you have drunk a little over your thirst, it is already there, the annoying hiccups. But why?