For heartburn and regurgitation diet change

Nutritional change can relieve heartburn

07/21/2012

Heartburn and regurgitation hours after the meal are uncomfortable and severely impair the quality of life of those affected. The Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) advises a change in diet. Those who refrain from coffee, fizzy drinks, fatty food and sour fruit can often ease the complaint.

Surgery is the last resort for heartburn
Increased gastric contents due to a defective occlusion between the stomach and the esophagus results in more frequent belching and heartburn. In many cases, the refluxing gastric acid triggers an inflammation of the mucous membrane (esophagitis) in the esophagus, the so-called reflux disease.

„When reflux disease is diagnosed, many people are worried about complications such as esophageal cancer, "reports Andreas Waltering, deputy head of IQWiG's Department of Health Information, saying that the oesophageal mucosa may change over time to become Barrett's esophagus, and in the worst case to develop esophageal cancer. „However, esophageal cancer is rare even in people with Barrett's esophagus: About one in 100 people get sick within ten years, "says Waltering.

Heartburn is often felt by those affected as very unpleasant. „These complaints can be extremely stressful“, explains Waltering, adding that the symptoms also „impair sleep and overall well-being“. The IQWiG advises those affected on its Internet portal Gesundheitsinformation.de to change their eating habits. Coffee, fizzy drinks, sour fruit and high-fat food should therefore be avoided. Likewise, tobacco consumption and alcohol promote the disease and should therefore be greatly reduced. Weight loss can also help alleviate the symptoms. Frequently, however, sufferers needed a lot of patience until they had found the right treatment, according to the IQWiG.

If the gentler methods do not provide any relief, there are various medications. According to IQWiG, so-called proton pump inhibitors work so well in about half of those affected that they barely have heartburn. This is the result of various studies. The last remedy is an operation, but always associated with risks and side effects.

Naturopathy helps with heartburn
In natural medicine, chamomile is considered to be particularly effective against heartburn. It has anti-inflammatory, wound healing and antispasmodic. In the acute case of heartburn, a cup of chamomile tea calms and relaxes the stomach. In case of recurrent heartburn, alternative practitioners often recommend a roll cure with chamomile tea, which is repeated daily for at least one week. The purpose of the Rollkur is to moisten as much gastric mucosa with chamomile tea to enhance the healing effect. (Ag)

Also read:
Home remedies for heartburn
What helps with heartburn at night?
Self-treatment for heartburn due to reflux
With strong heartburn to the doctor

Image: Beßler / Havlena