The right diet for heartburn

Heartburn is a condition in which a certain amount of gastric juice is thrown out of the stomach into the esophagus. Normally, this occurs up to 5-6 times in a horizontal position and upright position - 1-2 times during an hour. A person does not feel this phenomenon, it is not dangerous for the esophagus, since contact with the mucosa of the esophagus does not exceed 5 minutes. But in pathological cases, the release of gastric juice is increased to 50 times, a person already senses the effect of gastric juice on the esophagus, which is manifested by a burning sensation, sometimes pain. All this people call heartburn. Since the contact of the juice and mucous membrane increases, a local inflammatory process appears, which ultimately leads to constant pain and swallowing disorders. If heartburn occurs more than 2-3 times a week, it indicates that a person suffers from gastroesophageal reflux. With this disease, the sphincter, which is at the level of the esophagus in the stomach, is weakened.

There are some factors that reduce the tone of the sphincter, such as fatty foods, chocolate, citrus, coffee, alcohol, spicy food. But this condition can be with increasing some hormones in the blood (progesterone, secretin, glucagon, somatostatin) or in other situations (smoking, pregnancy, physical overload).

Diet for heartburn is almost the most important element in the treatment of this disease. Even the best means are not able to cure it completely if the food is not regulated. In the countries of the post-Soviet space, diet No. 1, 1a or 1b according to Pevzner is used depending on the stage of the disease. It is important to eat food is cooking, the food should be cooked steamed or boiled, in no case fried. The temperature of food should be equal to body temperature, or rather the bodies - 37-38 degrees, as cold and hot food stimulates the formation of gastric juice and lowers the tone of the lower sphincter of the esophagus. Also, the food should be in liquid form or mushy, eliminating solid food, since with prolonged heartburn, some inflammatory damages of the mucosa of the esophagus are possible. The daily portion is divided into 6-7 receptions. It is important that the patient does not eat food in large quantities, since with full filling of the stomach, its expanded walls further stimulate the production of hydrochloric acid. So you should eat often and in small portions.

Diet for heartburn eliminates spicy food, all pickles, canned food, chocolate, a large number of sweets. Also excluded coffee, black tea, cocoa. Of vegetables and fruits are not allowed garlic, onion (in raw form), sour apples, cherries. It is necessary to avoid heavily greasy foods, using vegetable fat in small amounts. Also, you should stop using alcoholic beverages, smoking, carbonated drinks.

In the diet should be low-fat meat (proteins increase the tone of the sphincter), milk and dairy products, but not too acidic. For drinking you can use green tea, not very sweet compotes, tea from herbs, kissel and just water. Also, food should be rich in fiber to prevent constipation. Diet for heartburn should be a diverse and rich in vitamins, as with increased acidity some useful substances may be lost.

After a meal, in no case is it allowed to take a horizontal position, since it is after eating that the stomach is especially active to move food towards the duodenum, so that when it is cut, food can get into the esophagus. When you are in a horizontal position, the pressure on the esophageal sphincter increases even more, which is unable to keep food in the stomach. The release of acid will be even more frequent. For half an hour you should take a walk, do something sitting or standing. The last meal should be 2 hours before bedtime. Diet for heartburn should be observed almost all of life, a food culture should be developed. Of course, a strict diet should be maintained for a month and repeated 2 times a year.

To treat many diseases, including such as heartburn, folk remedies play an important role. In people, heartburn is treated with Kalin's jam, potato juice, olive or sunflower oil, some herbs (wormwood, chamomile, etc.).

Heartburn is a very unpleasant phenomenon, it is a constant discomfort that a person feels. Proper nutrition with heartburn guarantees successful treatment of this ailment.