Burning in the esophagus during pregnancy
During pregnancy a recurring burning of the esophagus may occur, although this has not previously caused any problems. Often a so-called reflux esophagitis is the cause. These are inflammatory changes in the mucous membrane of the esophagus caused by ascending gastric acid.
The transition from the esophagus to the stomach is formed by a sphincter, the so-called esophageal sphincter. This prevents gastric juice and food from rising out of the stomach. In a pregnant woman, the growing baby causes increased pressure from the lower abdomen to the stomach.
This can lead to the sphincter muscle not being able to hold tightly and gastric acid flowing back into the esophagus. By eating many smaller meals a day and avoiding certain foods, such as spicy and sour foods, coffee and peppermint, the symptoms can usually already be alleviated. If this does not help, drugs that inhibit the production of stomach acid (proton pump inhibitors) can be taken.
Burning in the esophagus after taking tablets
If burning pain occurs in the esophagus after taking tablets, this is usually due to the fact that the tablet was taken with too little liquid. The tablet now attaches itself to the mucous membrane of the esophagus and leads to local inflammatory reactions. This can manifest itself as burning pain.
Those affected often report a feeling as if the tablet had got stuck in their throat. The tablet also gets stuck when the person lies down immediately after taking it. Inflammatory reactions of the mucous membrane are particularly caused by antibiotics or painkillers.
Measures against burning in the esophagus
Heartburn often occurs after eating very fatty foods and subsides on its own. If this is known, these foods should be avoided or their consumption should be restricted. If burning pains of the esophagus occur frequently, the cause should be clarified by a doctor.
The most common cause is a backflow of gastric acid into the esophagus, which irritates the mucous membrane. This is the case when the sphincter muscle does not close properly. On the one hand, elevating the upper body, especially after meals, helps to prevent this.
Lying down should therefore be avoided. If the complaints are very pronounced and also occur at night, it is advisable to raise the headboard of the bed slightly. Then the gastric juice flows back into the stomach more easily due to gravity, instead of rising into the esophagus.
If these measures do not help, the doctor can prescribe medication that inhibits the production of gastric acid. These are so-called proton pump inhibitors. This helps most patients to get their heartburn under control
