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Heartburn in the stomach and chest, sour belching, cough: every fifth German feels heartburn. Treatment options are as varied as the causes. What can help with heartburn and when you need to see a doctor.
"When you have heartburn, stomach acid backs up into the esophagus. Victims feel burning and pain in the stomach, chest and throat," says the gastroenterologist.
If you occasionally feel heartburn after a large meal, you have nothing to worry about. People with regular or severe burning sensations should consult a doctor about their symptoms. Side effects such as tooth damage, inflammation of the esophagus or esophageal cancer are rare. However, it can often be prevented with proper treatment.
There are many different causes of heartburn. Most often, the victim has so-called gastroesophageal reflux. Doctors say this when the sphincter between the stomach and the esophagus stops functioning properly. If the victim's quality of life is limited by heartburn or the esophagus is damaged, it is gastroesophageal reflux disease (abbreviated as GERD).
Heartburn: treatment
"Patients who want to get rid of heartburn should first of all change their lifestyle. Overweight people should strive for a normal weight. A balanced diet low in fat and high in fiber helps."
Sufferers should also exercise regularly, including walking and endurance sports such as jogging, swimming or cycling. Victims should avoid alcohol and cigarettes.
Many heartburn patients have trouble sleeping because stomach acid is easier to back up into the esophagus when lying down. There are several tips that promise quick help. Victims should not eat anything for several hours before going to bed.
“Elevating the head of the bed or using a thicker pillow can reduce acid reflux. Some patients benefit from sleeping on their left side. In this case, the stomach is closed at the top."
Eating
Patients often ask what to eat for heartburn. It usually takes a little time and patience before they learn which foods cause heartburn and which relieve symptoms.
"It usually helps if patients avoid foods that cause acid."
These include:
- Spicy foods such as chili peppers or mustard.
- Onion and garlic
- Strongly salty dishes
- Fatty food, fried food
- Pastries, chocolate and sweet desserts with a lot of sugar
- Caffeinated coffee and tea
- Peppermint, in the form of culinary herbs, tea or lozenges
- Citrus fruits such as lemons or grapefruits.
- Dairy products such as yogurt
- Alcohol such as wine and beer
- Carbon dioxide in mineral water or lemonades
Sufferers can often prevent heartburn by eating alkaline foods.
Experts recommend the following products:
- fruits such as bananas, apples and pears
- potato
- brown rice
- leafy vegetables
- celery
- almonds, especially when chewed for a long time
- fennel
- ginger.
Home remedies
If the symptoms are mild, patients can resort to herbal medicines. For example, it helps to drink more.
"The best options for heartburn are still water or herbal tea made from chamomile, fennel or anise. Sage, cardamom and ginger have a soothing and anti-inflammatory effect."
Healing clay can also relieve heartburn. The substance comes from rock and contains minerals such as potassium, magnesium and calcium. It is necessary to mix two teaspoons of the powder with a glass of water and drink the liquid before meals.
Another popular home remedy is sodium bicarbonate (baking soda).
"If you suffer from heartburn, dissolve a teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water. The resulting alkaline water neutralizes stomach acid."
But you should use this trick only occasionally. Otherwise, they will absorb too much baking soda in the long run. This can lead to an increase in blood pressure.
