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The stomach pains It is one of the main symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Indeed, nearly 40 percent of the population report feeling burning or heartburn at least once a month. In this article, we explain whether milk or other foods are helpful in calming heartburn.
“The gastroesophageal reflux is characterized by a burning sensation or burning (heartburn) in the chest going up the throat, usually after eating or at night,” they explain from the Hospital Universitari Quirón Dexeus Surgery Unit. “Other common signs of gastric reflux are difficulty swallowing or feeling of a lump in your throat. Other symptoms such as chronic cough, laryngitis, sleep disturbances or Asma“, they add.
Although for years it was believed that the milk was good for heartburn, this is not the case. It can even intensify the symptoms.
Why does heartburn occur?
What happens when we suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease and the resulting heartburn is that the passage from the stomach to the esophagus it was badly closed and the stomach acid rises. This can irritate, inflame and damage the esophagus.
In this sense, certain risk factors can produce this reflux, professionals point out the following:
- Obesity
- Medication side effects
- bacterial infection Helicobacter Pilory
- delayed gastric emptying
- Pregnancy and your abdominal pressure
How to reduce stomach acidity?
To reduce this stomach acidity, experts recommend a series of measures:
- eat small portions and more times a day. Copious and high-calorie meals aggravate this pathology.
- Eliminate alcohol and carbonated drinks from your diet. “Alcohol relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter, and carbonated drinks increase the volume inside the stomach, which is why they cause the burning sensation to appear,” they point out.
- To exercise and weight control help both reduce heartburn and prevent obesity. However, these should be exercises that do not involve heavy abdominal pressure.
- On the other hand, spicy foods they cause irritation of the lining of the esophagus and promote burning.
- It is advisable to raise the upper part of the bed by about 15 to 30 centimeters. This can be done with books or objects under the mattress as this helps gravity. In addition, it is necessary to lie down two hours after dinner to facilitate emptying and reduce the risk of reflux.
- The sphincter also relaxes more with the tobacco. Therefore, smoking is also not good in this case.
- Avoid fats as they tend to be indigestible and “decrease gastric motility, allowing the flow of acid from the stomach to pass into the esophagus.”
- Experts also recommend chew food well and eat slowly to aid digestion.
- On the other hand, mint, chocolate and coffee They irritate the stomach lining and promote acidity.
- Finally, pay attention to night intake. Taking a large intake at this time increases the production of acid in the stomach.
“Over the years, if reflux is not treated or improved, it can lead to serious health problems. Chronic inflammation of the esophagus can lead to serious complications such as narrowing of the esophagus, esophageal ulcer and bleeding or heart disease Barrett’s esophagus which, in the long term, can lead to esophageal cancer,” the experts conclude.
Although it may contain statements, data or notes from institutions or health professionals, the information contained in Apoteka is edited and prepared by journalists. We recommend that the reader consult a healthcare practitioner with any health-related questions.