The burning or heartburn, also known as heartburn, is characterized by burning sensation that starts in the stomach, behind the breastbone and moves through the chest to the throat. There are a number of foods that are best avoided in case of developing this type of problem. Know what you agree and what not.
1. Heartburn
2. Why did it happen?
3. What is the recommended treatment?
4. What foods cause these problems?
5. Diet Tips
1. Heartburn
Discomfort. When we are burning, bitter and sour taste fills your mouth.
The burning or heartburn, also known as heartburn, is characterized by a burning sensation that starts in the stomach, behind the breastbone and moves through the chest to the throat. This symptom usually occurs an hour after eating food and may persist for several more.
Sometimes accompanied by a feeling that food or liquid back into the throat or mouth (regurgitation), especially when the person bends over or lying down (we speak of esophageal reflux). These symptoms also tend to be accompanied by a bitter or acid invades the mouth.
2. Why did it happen?
Heartburn is caused by a malfunctioning lower esophageal sphincter, the cardia. The cardia is an opening or ring of muscle that separates the esophagus and stomach. Its function is to allow the passage of food from the esophagus to the stomach, and not the other way.
When the food bolus to pass over this opening closes quickly to prevent food and stomach juices into the esophagus. However, sometimes the cardia relaxes or weakens. This facilitates the passage of acidic stomach contents into the esophagus, the walls become irritated and inflamed, which is manifested by the feeling so characteristic of stinging or burning.
The causes of this discomfort can be varied, from large meals or made in a short time, the intake of certain foods, situations of pregnancy, obesity, use of certain drugs that cause acidity (certain painkillers, antidepressants, dopamine …), diseases oral (caries, gingivitis), laryngitis, pharyngitis, etc.., to the condition of hiatal hernia, which is often linked, and so-called esophageal reflux disease.
However, beyond its causes, the important thing is to correct those habits or behaviors that predispose to these disorders.
3. What is the recommended treatment?
The treatment, as a whole can be approached from three perspectives: pharmacological, dietary and posture.
In case of sporadic occurrence of heartburn, you can resort to the use of drugs such as antacids (sodium bicarbonate best used for decades, which can cause a rebound effect if we do not take the proper dosage) or inhibitors of acid secretion (omeprazole), but always under medical advice.
It should be noted that its effect is short lived and do not help prevent heartburn, so it would be useless in case of frequent or severe heartburn. Moreover, its continued intake could aggravate the problem.
In case of developing this condition quite often, it is best to avoid certain foods and postures that enhance burning. It has been shown that certain nutrients from food (proteins and fats, mainly) can change the pressure on the cardia, making some foods are poorly tolerated in these cases.
Proteins, for example, increase the pressure of the cardia, so it is recommended that the diet is moderately rich in them. On the other hand, fats, lower sphincter pressure, Heartburn No More which he is relaxed and slow gastric emptying. Hence, in these cases, prescribed diets low in fat.
In the case of carbohydrates do not affect sphincter pressure, so they will not be a food group to consider from this point of view.
Furthermore, it is advisable to conduct a series of postural hygiene or relieve these symptoms. It is advised, for example: – Avoid lying down after meals, as this position favors the rise of acid into the esophagus.
- Do not bend the trunk frequently, especially after eating.
- Elevate the head of the bed to 30 º sleeping or lying down.
- Do not wear too tight clothing.
- Abolish the snuff.
- Avoid stress, nervousness or anxiety, causing an increase in acidity.
Those who have sporadically burning or heartburn may improve their quality of life by following the advice on what are the recommended positions and dropping or moderating the consumption of foods that promote it.
4. What foods cause these problems?
There are a number of foods that are best avoided in case of developing this type of problem. These foods work by relaxing the cardia or by increasing the secretion of acid.
In general, as discussed above, we recommend a diet moderately high in protein foods and low in fat. Spicy foods should be eliminated from the diet, because they decrease, as well as fatty foods, the pressure of the sphincter.
Other foods to be checked are chocolate, coffee and tea (due to its content of xanthine, and in the case of chocolate also for its richness in fat), alcoholic beverages, especially white wine and champagne .
5. Diet Tips
Consider modifying your diet in accordance with the following general recommendations:
- Maintain proper weight, avoiding overweight and obesity.
- Chew and swallow slowly grind food well.
- Spread the diet in small volumes. We recommend you take 4 to 5 meals a day to avoid excessively stimulate gastric acid secretion.
- The last meal should be at least 2 hours before bedtime.
- Eating a diet rich in protein and low in fat, based on lean meats, fish, low fat dairy products, etc.., Avoiding fried, battered, stews, meats, whole milk, cream, butter and sauces.
- Use simple cooking techniques, without addition of fat to the extent possible: iron, grill, oven, boil, microwave, foil, steam …
- Avoid foods that:
· Relax the cardia or delayed gastric emptying, and carbonated beverages, onions, garlic, chocolate, coffee, tea, fats and fermented cheeses and very healing.
Irritability or injure the esophageal mucosa: Citrus fruits and their juices, tomato products, coffee (also decaf), carbonated beverages, some spices (pepper, paprika, mustard), food very hot or very cold or very rich grain products in fiber, some fruits and vegetables such as melon, cucumber or pepper (as tolerated).