Heartburn is a symptom: it means that the lining of the esophagus is irritated by acid that is released into the esophagus from the stomach. Why this is happening is another matter. Indeed, normally nothing from the stomach should enter the esophagus. This means, most likely, the lower esophageal sphincter is weakened – the annular muscle, which should lock the stomach. But weakness, sprains, hernias, and other problems prevent this muscle from working properly. The result is unpleasant, and sometimes even painful sensations behind the sternum, in the so-called epigastric region, as well as in the throat and lower jaw.
You can fight heartburn on your own, but it is better to consult a doctor: after all, this problem can be a symptom of some diseases. But sometimes it appears literally “out of the blue”: they just ate something wrong. What exactly? Let’s figure it out.
Citrus. They increase the concentration of acid in the stomach, as a result of which the gastric juice becomes too caustic.
Tomatoes. Not as acidic as lemons or grapefruits, they can still cause heartburn due to their high content of organic acids that stimulate digestion. In general, if you have a tendency to heartburn, you need to be careful with sour fruits and berries.
Coffee and chocolate. The caffeine contained in these products relaxes the muscles of the esophagus, thereby facilitating the reflux of gastric juice into it. And also, as luck would have it, and too much – in addition, caffeine provokes its excessive release.
Beans. In general, any foods that provoke flatulence and bloating. Allocation of carbon dioxide during digestion is a mechanical cause of heartburn.
Meat broth. Especially fatty and rich – it makes the environment in the stomach more acidic. Consequently, soups with such broth can cause an unpleasant problem.
Milk. Many, on the contrary, advise drinking milk for heartburn, they say, it will help neutralize the heat in the esophagus. In fact, milk only exacerbates and prolongs the problem. Yes, in the first seconds everything is fine: they drank a glass of milk, its alkaline medium quickly neutralized the acid in the esophagus, the milk itself curdled in the stomach … and when milk protein gets on the mucous membrane, it starts producing hydrochloric acid in even larger quantities!
Fried and fatty. Kebabs, fries, fatty steaks and other fast food, and everything else that belongs to the category of “heavy food.” This stays in the stomach for a long time, because it needs to be thoroughly digested, and requires more digestive juices and bile. The result is predictable: heartburn.
Carbonated drinks (as well as beer and kvass) containing carbon dioxide. The mechanism of heartburn in this case is similar to that provoked by legumes and cabbage. Carbon dioxide is a gas that stretches the stomach, presses on its walls and stimulates gastric secretion.
Hot sauces and spices. Irritates the mucous membrane of the esophagus and stomach, stimulating the formation of gastric juice. So with a tendency to heartburn with pepper, you need to be more careful.
Sweet and flour. Fresh baked goods and delicious cakes always cause fermentation and gas in the stomach. Have a meal? Be prepared.
Alcohol. Irritates the lining of the esophagus and increases its sensitivity to acid, this can also cause heartburn. Alcohol also relaxes all the muscles in the body, including the very muscles that connect the esophagus to the stomach. Red wines are the most dangerous in terms of heartburn..
The wrong temperature of your favorite foods can also cause heartburn. Burning soups and drinks injure and irritate the esophagus, while cold ones inhibit gastric secretion and “hang” in the stomach for a long time, also provoking heartburn.