Heavy meals often cause heartburn

Every year: Heavy meals often cause heartburn

18/12/2014

It's like every year. Numerous Advent and Christmas celebrations are celebrated with hearty meals. As a result, it then comes to heartburn. Gas pressure, burning from the upper abdomen to the neck, belching, nausea and vomiting are the usual symptoms. Basically, no reason to worry. This only exists if the symptoms occur regularly. "Occasional heartburn is not bad, but it is a matter of concern as soon as someone suffers from it once or twice a week for more than one month", says Professor Stephan Miehlke of the German Gastroenterological Society for Digestive and Metabolic Diseases. In such a case, he advises to see the doctor. Because in the long run, heartburn can lead to esophagitis (reflux oesophagitis) and in the worst case even to esophageal cancer. In addition, the heartburn may permanently manifest outside the esophagus, z. In chronic cough or bronchial asthma. In addition, it can lead to dental erosions (extra esophageal manifestations).

Damage to the mucosa due to gastric acid
The cause of the so-called reflux disease, is the reflux of a mixture of food particles and gastric acid into the esophagus (reflux, therefore also reflux disease). Usually, the cardia is responsible for the completion of the stomach and prevents the reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus. "If this mechanism is impaired in its function, it can lead to the reflux of stomach contents," explains surgeon Bernd Ablaßmaier, chief physician of the Reflux Center Munich. This area does not work as usual, this can have different causes.

Heavy stress, an excess of alcohol and nicotine or medications that relax the muscles. "Often, the triggers are heavy, fat meals, which cause increased stomach pressure and increased acid production, overloading the cardia and allowing for reflux," says Ablaßmaier. In addition, an induced by obesity or pregnancy increased pressure in the abdominal cavity can be considered as a cause in question.

Diaphragm break as a trigger
In addition to the causes mentioned above, organic disorders such as congenital defects, muscle weaknesses, stomach disorders and a diaphragmatic pleura promote reflux: "The transition from the esophagus to the stomach runs through the diaphragm. explains Dagmar Mainz from the professional association Gastroenterologist.

In any case, permanent acid reflux should be treated: "In the longer term, the acid can severely attack the mucosa through its corrosive action, leading to inflammation, painful wounds and skin growths that narrow the esophagus, making swallowing difficult," explains Professor Miehlke.

Home remedies help in most cases
The therapeutic steps to be taken in each individual case of reflux depend on the severity of the disease. Thus, e.g. the change in diet as well as the change of certain habits in early stages, in which no mucous membrane changes are to be recognized, are alleviated. The diet with basic foods is recommended here. In case of already existing mucosal damage, medicines are usually used for treatment. Usually come here „Proton pump inhibitors“ (short: PPI, too „Proton pump inhibitors“ called) such as omeprazole or pantoprazole used as „stomach protection“ act by suppressing the formation of gastric acid in the parietal cells of the stomach. "These are drugs that block gastric acid production by inhibiting the cells responsible for them - the proton pumps -" explains Miehlke. In rare cases, an operative reconstruction of the cardia procedure may restore the functioning of the lower esophageal occlusion.

Ultimately, it's about individually weighing which type of treatment is right for the individual patient.
As a rule, you can already achieve good results with home remedies or natural remedies. Fennel, melissa, plantain and stinging nettle are particularly good in addition to chamomile, and valerian in teas or drops can also be very beneficial for stress-related heartburn. In order to reduce stress caused by stress or to learn a healthier way of dealing with pressure and tension, are also various exercises and procedures for stress relief such as yoga, meditation or autogenic training. Acupuncture can also dramatically reduce the symptoms of heartburn, as well as Schuessler salts, whereby the salt number 9 (sodium phosphoricum) has proved to be the most effective in ascending acids. And last but not least helps in many cases, the so-called „Bullrich Salt“, or. „Kaiser-Natron“ which neutralizes excess stomach acid and gently soothes acute burning pain. (Jp)