Heartburn is the burning pain experienced in the chest region caused due to acid reflux. Heartburn is the major symptom in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
- SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEARTBURN
- CAUSES OF HEARTBURN
- PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF HEARTBURN
- DIAGNOSIS OF HEARTBURN
- TREATMENTS FOR HEARTBURN
- PROGNOSIS OF HEARTBURN
- COMPLICATIONS OF HEARTBURN
- HEARTBURN AND AYURVEDA
- NIDANA- AYURVEDIC CAUSES OF HEARTBURN
- PURVAROOPAM- AYURVEDIC PREMONITORY SYMPTOMS OF HEARTBURN
- SAMPRAPTI – AYURVEDIC PATHOGENESIS OF HEARTBURN
- LAKSHANA- AYURVEDIC SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEARTBURN
- AYURVEDIC PROGNOSIS OF HEARTBURN
- CHIKITSA- AYURVEDIC TREATMENT FOR HEARTBURN
- AYURVEDIC SAMANA TREATMENT FOR HEARTBURN
- AYURVEDIC SHODHANA TREATMENT FOR HEARTBURN
- COMMONLY USED AYURVEDIC MEDICINES FOR HEARTBURN
- HOME REMEDIES FOR HEARTBURN
- DIET AND BEHAVIOUR FOR HEARTBURN
- YOGA FOR HEARTBURN
- RESEARCH PAPERS OF AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT OF HEARTBURN
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEARTBURN
- Burning pain in the chest
- Sour belching
- Acid regurgitation
- Discomfort and burning feeling in the stomach
- Burning pain aggravated during the night
CAUSES OF HEARTBURN
- Certain medications like NSAID
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Alcohol
- Smoking
- Spicy foods
- Sour foods
- Digestive disorders
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF HEARTBURN
The above-mentioned causes result in stomach acid back up into the esophagus and irritate the epithelial lining in the esophagus. The irritation feels like burning pain in the chest.
DIAGNOSIS OF HEARTBURN
- Endoscopic examination
- Ambulatory acid probe tests
- X-ray – to find out the normal positioning and shape of esophagus
TREATMENTS FOR HEARTBURN
- Antacids
- Acid blockers
- Proton pump inhibitors
- H 2 receptor blockers
PROGNOSIS OF HEARTBURN
- Prognosis is based on the stage of the disease, duration and condition of the patient
- Acute heartburn is easily manageable
COMPLICATIONS OF HEARTBURN
- Ulcer in esophagus
- Recurrent heartburn may lead to esophageal cancer.
HEARTBURN AND AYURVEDA
- In Ayurveda, heartburn is managed based on the treatment of ‘amlapitta’
NIDANA- AYURVEDIC CAUSES OF HEARTBURN
- Excess consumption of dry, acrid, sour food
- Improper functioning of agni
PURVAROOPAM- AYURVEDIC PREMONITORY SYMPTOMS OF HEARTBURN
- Acid regurgitation followed by burning pain in the chest
SAMPRAPTI – AYURVEDIC PATHOGENESIS OF HEARTBURN
- Due to the above-mentioned causes doshas aggravated especially pitta. The vitiated doshas reside in the stomach and esophagus and produce symptoms of heartburn.
LAKSHANA- AYURVEDIC SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEARTBURN
- Burning sensation
- Sour belching – amla udgaram
- Vomiting
- Bitter taste in mouth – tikta asyatha
AYURVEDIC PROGNOSIS OF HEARTBURN
- Sadya (curable) in the early stage and manageable in the chronic stage with proper Ayurvedic remedies.
CHIKITSA- AYURVEDIC TREATMENT FOR HEARTBURN
AYURVEDIC SAMANA TREATMENT FOR HEARTBURN
- Guluchyadi kashayam after food
- Drakshadi gulika along with amalaki swarasa ( gooseberry juice)
- Shatavari ghrita
- Shankha bhasma
- Amlapittantak lauha
- Shaddharanam churna
- Shankha vati
- Avipattikara churna- along with honey at bedtime
- Nalikera khanda
AYURVEDIC SHODHANA TREATMENT FOR HEARTBURN
- Vamana – emesis
- Virechana – purgation
COMMONLY USED AYURVEDIC MEDICINES FOR HEARTBURN
Internal administration
- Guluchyadi kashayam
- Chithrakagrandhyadi Kashayam
- Amruthotharam Kashayam
- Drakshadi gulika
- Shatavari ghrita
- Shankha bhasma
- Amlapittantak lauha
- Shaddharanam churna
- Shankha vati
- Avipattikara churna
HOME REMEDIES FOR HEARTBURN
- Intake of gooseberry
- Intake of resins
- Drinking a glass of water at early morning
DIET AND BEHAVIOUR FOR HEARTBURN
- Avoid food items which produce pitta dosha imbalance like more acrid and sour. Because pitta imbalance aggravates the symptoms.
- Consume easily digestible food items, cow’s milk
- Timely intake of food
- Drink an appropriate quantity of water
- Avoid alcohol and smoking
YOGA FOR HEARTBURN
- Nadi Shuddi Pranayam – Calms the mind and gets relief from heartburn
The patient needs to be seated in a meditative posture with the head and spine erect, with the body relaxed. The patient has to close his one nostril (e.g. left nostril if using the right hand and vice versa) with the thumb and exhale completely through the other nostril. Again, he will have to breathe in deeply through the other nostril while the opposite nostril is still closed with the thumb.
RESEARCH PAPERS OF AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT OF HEARTBURN
1. Studies on Urdhwaga Amlapitta and its Management with Shatavari Ghruta
- A clinical study on amlapitta and its management with chhinnodbhavadi ghanavati