Common symptom, which is characterized by a warm or burning sensation in the stomach. This often happens when hydrochloric acid secretion characteristic of this body, is particularly high, and it has irritated the esophagus.

It may also be due to irritation of the gastric mucosa erosion therein. This is called gastric ulcer, it's appearance is usually due to factors such as stress, alcohol, cigarettes, drugs or excessive consumption of chocolate, spicy foods, fried or greasy foods, etc..

Other factors that may contribute to heartburn are gallbladder problems, allergies and enzyme deficiency.

Aspirin and ibuprofen can cause heartburn. Antacids often relieve symptoms, however, may mask a bigger problem. Prolonged use of these compounds may cause harmful mineral imbalances. The first symptoms of angina or a heart attack can be confused with acidity.. If this is accompanied by shortness of breath, nausea or dizziness, consult your doctor immediately.

Some recommendations

• A glass of water at the first sign of heartburn, may be helpful

• Change your eating habits, eat raw vegetables, chew well, eat slowly, enjoy the food.

• Do not eat anything for three hours before bedtime.

• Do not drink carbonated beverages, excess fat or spicy seasonings such as chili or pepper.

• If possible avoid stress.

What foods help produce acidity and what dietary pattern contributes to control it?

With a diet for heartburn its so important to have food quality, quantity fand frequency of intake:

Each case must be evaluated by a trained professional, but a general guideline can include:

• The minimum would be 6 meals: breakfast, midmorning snack, lunch, snack and snack in the afternoon and dinner. When dinner is done early, the pass for the evening snack.

• . The temperatures of foods is important. The excessive heat or cold are irritating to the gastric mucosa.. It is advisable to eat them warm.

• The way of cooking is relevant. Raw fruits and vegetables should be peeled and seeded.. Meat should not be overcooked, and when cooked on the grill, toasted crust can be irritating. . Boiled meats are preferred. Fried foods are generally discouraged, as well as very composed and spicy foods.

• The white meat is less irritating than dark, because they are more easily digestible and less time remaining in the stomach.

• Fats should be generally avoided. But a normal diet should contain a perfect balance of food.

• Candy should be avoided in excess.

• Milk, which has been a mainstay of treatment actually stimulates gastric acid secretion. It should not be removed from the diet, but you should consume it in small quantities.

• Raw fiber, bran in excess, strong spices, caffeine are highly irritating to the gastric mucosa.

• Alcohol is a strong promoter of acid secretion, and therefore often advised to restrict alcohol consumption to small amounts and diluted.

• Smoking is a risk factor for the occurrence of ulcers and their complications, and seems to prevent healing and increase the incidence of recurrences, which have a correlation with the number of cigarettes smoked daily.

Other changes of habit, physical activity appropriate to the age and condition of each person, and the adoption of behaviors that reduce stress levels help normalize digestive disorders.

Finally, your physician may advise the use of drugs or antacids such as common, H2 blockers, anti-proton pump, etc.

Medical aspect

Changes in certain behaviors can not only prevent many of the disorders associated with heartburn, but to cooperate in its correction, helping specific treatments.

The esophagus is the long, flexible tube that begins in the pharynx and ends at the cardia, the upper stomach. The discomfort of heartburn occurs when stomach acid flows into the esophagus. . It lacks a layer of mucus as the stomach, and acid produces an intense pain behind the breastbone.

When we say someone has "heartburn" We are talking about a symptom that can respond to various gastric disorders. In esophageal reflux disease (GERD), lower esophageal sphincter can not stop the reflux of stomach acid and can cause esophagitis.

Functional dyspepsia, gastritis superficial or deep, peptic ulcers, are causes of what we commonly "heartburn."

While it is believed that these processes were caused by acid hypersecretion, is now known that H. Pylori is the cause of disorders in the gastric mucosa. . Urease produced by the microorganism catalyzes the conversion of urea to ammonia, which allows it to survive in the acidic environment of the stomach. But it can erode the mucosal barrier and cause epithelial injury.

Also the continued use of analgesics disturb the defense and the repairing of the stomach lining, making it more susceptible to acid attack.