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Bile enters. Causes and etiological treatment of bile reflux into the stomach

People suffering from diseases gastrointestinal tract, doctors are often asked how to neutralize bile in the stomach.

This is a physiological state of the body, accompanied by extreme unpleasant sensations. In this case, the person feels a particular bitterness in the mouth and discomfort in the upper abdomen.

Experts call this phenomenon duodenogastric reflux. Appears as a result of the reverse outflow of bile from duodenum into the stomach.

Bile is a special liquid of greenish, yellow or light brown color. It has specific smell and bitter taste. It is produced by liver cells.

At normal operation In the digestive system, bile accumulates in the gallbladder. The main function is digestive. Additionally takes part in the excretory system.

A few more important properties:

  • assistance in the absorption of vitamins and microelements;
  • breaks down foods, processes fats;
  • destroys pathogenic bacteria that come from food;
  • eliminates rotting processes in the gastrointestinal tract.

If there are any gastrointestinal disorders in the body, then the secretion goes straight into the stomach. However, disturbances can also occur in other body systems. This is discussed in more detail in the next paragraph.

Causes

Normally, digestion works to move food down the esophagus. Reverse movement is prevented by the sphincter muscles. If for some reason their functioning is impaired, the patient experiences reflux.

This often occurs after surgery to remove the gallbladder. Since it is a “vessel” for filling with bile, in its absence the secretion stagnates, the outflow is disrupted, and penetrates the stomach.

This reason is the most common, but there are others:

  1. Bad habits – smoking and alcohol abuse.
  2. Drink plenty of water during meals.
  3. Various formations near the intestines: tumors, hernias, polyps. They create pressure on the duodenum, causing reverse stroke bile.
  4. Poor nutrition. Eating unhealthy foods that are difficult to digest (fatty, salty, fried). The body begins to intensively secrete secretions to process food. As a result, the bladder overflows and excess bile is released into the epigastrium.
  5. Excessive work load, as well as sleep immediately after a meal.
  6. Pregnancy. On late stages the uterus begins to enlarge and squeeze the internal organs abdominal cavity.
  7. Long-term treatment with drugs that relieve muscle spasms. They relax the muscles, including the sphincter.
  8. Inflammatory processes in the abdominal area.
  9. Hereditary factor.

Sometimes reflux can be triggered by a stressful situation. In this case, the phenomenon passes quickly, which means there is no reason to worry. Regularly recurring symptoms should prompt a person to seek help from a doctor.

Typical symptoms

Classic symptoms of bile reflux into the epigastrium:

  • pressing pain under the ribs, may be vague, “blurry”. The severity depends on the degree of damage to the mucous membrane;
  • heartburn;
  • discomfort in the chest;
  • belching;
  • nausea, gag reflex;
  • yellowish coating on the tongue;
  • fetid “sourish” breath (especially noticeable on an empty stomach).

The caustic liquid can rise higher, entering the oral area. At the same time, a characteristic bitterness is felt.

The mucous membrane and its microflora suffer from the too aggressive effect of bile acids on the walls. Therefore, the disease must be eliminated as soon as possible.

Diagnostics

Having noticed the first symptoms, a person should not self-medicate. This can only worsen the situation, so you should not delay contacting a medical facility for too long.

When you see a doctor, you will undergo several diagnostic measures so that the doctor can diagnose correct diagnosis and provide adequate therapy.

  1. Ultrasonography Gastrointestinal tract. The study allows you to identify the presence of stones, cystic and other formations.
  2. Radiography. This diagnostic method allows you to assess the condition, functioning and location of internal organs. Before the procedure, the patient needs to drink a contrast agent.
  3. Fibrogastroduodenoscopy (FGDS). A small camera is inserted into the esophagus. The doctor looks at the monitor and identifies any defects in the digestive system. It is possible to collect biological material: gastric juice, bile. If circumstances so require (the doctor makes a decision in individually).

Treatment of the disease

If attacks occur rarely (once every 2 months), then there is no need to resort to radical measures. All are excluded bad habits and the patient’s nutrition is normalized.

If there are other diseases that contribute to the reflux of bile, then 2 main principles of treatment are applied: eliminating symptoms and normalizing the outflow of bile.

Drug treatment

When treating pathology with medications, they use medications that relax smooth muscles, suppress mucous secretion, and improve the structure and motility of the bladder.

To stimulate the gastrointestinal tract, take the following tablets:

  • motilium;
  • zelmak;
  • itomed.

They activate digestion, accelerating movement and elimination feces. This cleanses the entire system.

Aggressive impact of hydrochloric acid relieved by antacids (Nexium, Maalox, Almagel). With their help, the pH balance of the microflora is normalized due to their effect on the secretory glands.

When there is a lot of bile, it is neutralized with ursodeoxycholic acid (Ursofalk). The chemical substances included in its composition pass into a water-soluble form directly in the stomach, from where they are excreted from the body.

Pain syndrome is relieved with antispasmodics (No-spa).

Surgery

Gastrointestinal diseases accompanied by the release of bile often require treatment promptly. Modern medicine reached high level, therefore, there are gentle treatment methods that avoid serious injuries:

  • Laparoscopy. The operation is performed through a small hole with a diameter of no more than one and a half centimeters. The surgeon makes several punctures in the abdominal cavity. Next, an instrument and a probe with a camera are inserted. In most cases, patients tolerate this successfully surgical intervention. Recovery occurs under the supervision of doctors. Appointed necessary medications, procedures. Seams are inspected regularly.
  • Laparotomy. If it is impossible to carry out the operation described in the previous paragraph, doctors resort to this method. In this case, it is possible to remove the diseased organs. The risk of complications is high, rehabilitation is long. Medications are prescribed and physiotherapeutic procedures are carried out. Inspection and treatment of seams is carried out more often and more thoroughly.

Folk remedies for neutralizing bile

Traditional medicine can also be effective in combating big amount bile in the stomach. The main thing is to consult a doctor and not self-medicate.

Prescriptions are prescribed that can drive away excess bile from the epigastrium, relieve pain and neutralize unpleasant bitterness in the oral cavity.

You can eliminate pain with a decoction of rowan or rosehip. At the same time, combining them with infusions of herbs (birch, dandelion leaves, immortelle).

To cleanse the stomach, it is recommended to drink a decoction of flax seeds. The walls of the stomach are strengthened. To prepare it, you need to grind the seeds and pour them warm water, leave to swell for a while. The resulting porridge is eaten for breakfast.

To eliminate the unpleasant bitter taste in the mouth, just drink a couple of glasses of warm boiled water. Thus, the gastric mucosa is cleansed and bile is removed.

If appeared in upper sections digestive tract, use propolis. 10 grams should be dissolved in ½ glass of vodka, left for 3 days and strained. Take 60 drops half an hour before meals.

Complications

If the phenomenon is constant and prolonged, then this becomes fraught with serious consequences.

Complications of the pathology include:

  • development of stomach ulcers;
  • reflux gastritis - develops with inflammation of the gastric walls;
  • gastroesophageal disease is also characterized by inflammation and damage to the walls of the organ. In this case, its contents end up in the esophagus. This can cause Barrett's syndrome, which is considered pre-cancer.

A proper diet serves both as a way to eliminate symptoms and as an excellent prevention of the disease.

  1. Eliminate products that enhance secretion.
  2. Drink enough water, but do not wash down your food in the process.
  3. The dish should be warm, and in no case hot or cold, so as not to irritate the mucous membranes.
  4. It is better to boil or steam.
  5. Eating small meals frequently.

Products should be selected based on standard rules healthy eating(nothing fatty, spicy, sweet, etc.)

Pathology requires mandatory and thorough diagnosis. Timely seeking medical help, further adherence to the treatment plan and recommendations of the attending physician will help you recover quickly, and if complete cure impossible, then reduce the symptoms and improve the patient’s quality of life.

The release of bile into the stomach, symptoms and treatment, is an issue whose relevance is explained by the identification in 40% of patients of problems associated with the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract (gastrointestinal tract). If excess bile constantly passes into the stomach, the walls of the organ are corroded. Timely diagnosis will eliminate the deviation without serious consequences.

Bile is secreted by hepatocytes. The liver consists of 80% of them. The fluid produced by hepatocytes is involved in digestion. Without bile, the system cannot function as it should. When the digestive organs work smoothly, the fluid produced by the liver and stored in the bladder enters the duodenum. The next point is the intestines.

If bile in the duodenum changes direction, it splashes into the digestive organ. Why is bile in the stomach dangerous? Symptoms actively manifest themselves with the systematic release of secretions. In this case, the gastric mucosa is corroded by bile acids.


If liver secretions constantly enter the stomach, the following appear:

  1. Painful sensations in the abdomen. The sensation is sharp, cutting. The intensity of pain varies.
  2. Constant feeling thirst.
  3. Bitter taste in the mouth. It is felt when a person is hungry.
  4. Flatulence. This is a consequence of eating.
  5. Heaviness in the abdomen and under the ribs with right side bodies.
  6. Belching. Their connection with reflux is explained by the fact that after bile is thrown into the stomach, the secretion interacts with gastric juice, promoting gas formation.
  7. Heartburn with bile is the result of insufficient protective mucus in the stomach.
  8. A yellowish coating covering the base of the tongue.
  9. Vomiting or simply nausea, and bile from the stomach may end up in the vomit. Such symptoms of bile release are observed when a significant amount of secretion regularly enters the stomach.
  10. Release of bile from the stomach into oral cavity. Occurs at night when gallbladder and its ducts are relaxed.

The flow of secretion into the stomach lasts several hours. The constant load on the digestive system leads to the fact that bile appears in the stomach regularly, provoking the occurrence of severe symptoms.

The listed manifestations should be a signal to contact a gastroenterologist. Ignoring the symptoms will worsen the situation, resulting in an increase in the duration of the treatment course and rehabilitation period.

Bile entering the stomach is considered a pathology. The secretion should move towards the intestines. The gastric mucosa is not designed to be exposed to liver fluid. Therefore people with excessive secretion bile experience serious discomfort.


Doctors name the reasons why a large amount of bile ends up in the stomach:

  1. Biliary dyskinesia. The condition is characterized by a violation of the supply of the required amount of secretion to digest food. The reason is narrowing of the ducts. In the future, this leads to malfunctions in the gastrointestinal tract (gastrointestinal tract), resulting in the release of bile on an empty stomach.
  2. Use harmful products. The more spicy, smoked, fried and fatty foods on the menu, the more actively bile is synthesized. The gallbladder is not able to hold this amount of fluid, so the bile ends up in the stomach.

The standard volume of the gallbladder is 50 milliliters. Overfilling of the organ leads to stretching of the walls and pushing of secretions into the stomach.

In general, the disorder is provoked by various factors.

The main reasons for bile entering the stomach:

  1. Neoplasms, hernial protrusions or mechanical injuries pressing on the duodenum. Bile appears in the stomach when the pyloric valve cannot withstand the resulting pressure.
  2. Surgical intervention. The reason why bile enters the stomach is damage to the sphincter muscles during surgery. After the incident, bile is thrown into the stomach throughout life.
  3. The period of bearing a child. Due to the production of excessive amounts of progesterone, which has a relaxing effect, the pyloric sphincter may also weaken. Accordingly, reflux (release of bile into the stomach) is observed. Reasons for violations later pregnancy comes down to pressure from the growing fetus on the mother’s internal organs. After delivery, reflux usually disappears.
  4. Birth defect in the structure of the sphincter.
  5. Performing surgery to remove the gallbladder. Having lost its storage, the secretion fills the ducts, often not fitting into them.
  6. Taking certain antispasmodics, the action of which causes relaxation of the pyloric muscles.
  7. Chronic duodenitis, in which the duodenal mucosa becomes inflamed and swollen.
  8. Deficiency of protective mucus produced by gastric epithelial cells.

Depending on the cause and symptoms of bile reflux into the stomach, the doctor builds a treatment regimen.

Since reflux often results from serious malfunctions in the functioning of internal organs, it is better not to delay the examination. After eliminating the provoking factor negative manifestations, in most cases, weaken and disappear completely.

Can bile enter the stomach of a person who does not have health problems?


In this situation, reflux is possible:

  • when overeating, especially late in the evening, followed by falling asleep on the left side;
  • due to the habitual use of liquid immediately after eating;
  • on nervous soil(bile often returns when stressful situations);
  • with physical inactivity or as a result of active exercise immediately after eating.

Healthy people can avoid unpleasant discomfort associated with reflux if you review your lifestyle and adjust your diet.

If signs of bile appear in the stomach for several days in a row, it is recommended to make an appointment with a gastroenterologist. In the presence of excess secretion, it will be possible to find out the reasons that increase the increased secretion of bile and provoke its reflux into the stomach thanks to a competent diagnosis.

Initially, the doctor listens to the patient’s complaints, examines him and collects anamnesis.

You will need a walkthrough:

  1. Ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs. The technique makes it possible to see existing tumors, as well as stones in the bile ducts and its ducts.
  2. Fibrogastroduodenoscopy (FGDS), prescribed for the reflux of bile into the stomach. During the procedure, the specialist sees the condition of the digestive system organs, collects affected tissues and gastric juice. Bile reflux is confirmed by the presence of cloudy, foamy stomach contents.
  3. X-ray using contrast agent. The examination provides information about the condition of the pyloruses and gastrointestinal tract organs.
  4. Ultrasonography. Using a device that emits ultrasonic waves, the doctor will be able to detect stones formed in the bile ducts and determine their size.
  5. Cholescintigraphy. Thanks to the technique, it is determined functional state liver, bile duct patency, storage and contractility of the gallbladder.
  6. Choledochoscintigraphy. During the procedure, contractile disorders of the esophageal sphincter are detected.

It should be understood that the release of bile is not independent disease. A violation may indicate serious problems in the body. Only a medical examination will help determine the root cause, after which a treatment plan is developed.

Methods that eliminate the release of bile into the stomach are selected on an individual basis.

The prescribed therapy involves performing specific tasks:

  • cessation of further development of the disorder;
  • elimination of manifestations resulting from irritation of the gastric mucosa;
  • removal of excess liver secretions, which will avoid complications.

When bile is in the stomach, treatment should be comprehensive. In the presence of pathological changes in the gastrointestinal tract, patients are often prepared for surgery. How will patients suffering from the release of bile into the stomach be treated in the future? Based on diagnostic data, the doctor will prescribe effective medications, will advise you to follow a diet and help you adjust your lifestyle.

If the patient is going to get rid of unpleasant discomfort, he will need to determine why bile accumulates in the stomach.

After the presence of bile in the stomach is confirmed using gastroscopy, the patient may be advised surgical treatment. It is assigned to in case of emergency.

When a patient has a lot of bile in the stomach, it is possible to carry out:

  1. Laparoscopy. This is a minimally invasive surgical procedure. Incisions up to a centimeter in diameter are made. They include a camera and tools.

If a patient has, for example, a tumor removed, thanks to the advantages of the technique, it is possible to remove bile accumulations from the stomach without serious consequences. The main advantages of laparoscopy are minimal area of ​​injury, small rehabilitation period, absence postoperative complications.

  1. Laparotomy. Traditional technique. A large incision is made in the peritoneum using a scalpel. Since the operation is large, the risk increases negative consequences, and recovery takes at least a month.

Surgery may be indicated for patients with bile in the stomach who have previously undergone cholecystectomy, which involves removing the gallbladder.

The use of drugs is appropriate when the accumulation of bile in the stomach is infrequent. Treatment with medications is also carried out to eliminate the reflux of bile into the stomach after removal of the gallbladder .


To weaken and remove the negative manifestations of reflux, patients are prescribed the following medications:

  1. Proton pump blockers (Omeprazole, Nexium). Their task is to control the amount of hydrochloric acid.
  2. Antacids (Maalox, Almagel). These drugs help neutralize acidity.
  3. Prokinetics (Motilium). The peculiarity of this medicine for bile in the stomach is its ability to regulate the motility of the gastrointestinal tract, which accelerates the circulation of secretions.
  4. Antispasmodics. The group's drugs eliminate painful discomfort.
  5. Agents that eliminate bile stasis (Cholecystokinin, magnesium sulfate). These are drugs for bile in the stomach, enhancing gall motility.
  6. Hepatoprotectors containing ursodeoxycholic acid (Ursofalka). Medicines of this group reduce the intensity of reflux manifestations. Drugs are described that reduce the amount of bile after release into the stomach by converting the secretion into a water-soluble form.

With uncontrolled use of choleretic drugs, a tablet against bile reflux may instead therapeutic effect cause aggravation.

How to neutralize bile in the stomach using folk remedies?

After consultation with the doctor who diagnosed excess bile in the stomach, it is permissible to use:

  1. Ground flax seeds (half a cup). Fill with warm water (300 ml) and leave until it swells. The resulting mushy mass is suitable for breakfast. It will help remove liver secretions and strengthen the gastric walls.
  2. Dandelion roots (1 tbsp.). You need to pour boiling water (250 ml) and leave for 2 hours. How to stop bile from entering the stomach? The decoction is taken before meals 4 times a day.
  3. 20 shells are placed in a half-liter container walnuts. Vodka is poured on top. The product should stand in a dark and warm place for a week. The tincture is drunk on an empty stomach, 2 tbsp. spoons morning and evening.

Traditional methods serve as a complement to the main course of treatment. You can’t ignore taking medications and following a diet, relying only on remedies traditional medicine.

The substance produced by the secretion of liver cells is called bile. It contains bile acids, pigments, cholesterol and various phospholipids. It plays a huge role in the digestion process. With its help, fat emulsification reactions, lipid hydrolysis and stimulation of their absorption occur in the intestinal lumen; synthesis of vital triglycerides; promotes absorption fat-soluble vitamins and calcium. In addition, bile stimulates intestinal motility and pancreatic activity; kills some types of bacteria and inactivates pepsins.

Normally, bile flows through the ducts into a bladder, and then from it into the duodenum. In some pathologies, it enters the stomach. TO possible reasons bile in the stomach can be attributed to:

  • relaxed state of the sphincter between the stomach and duodenum;
  • violation nervous regulation motor activity of the digestive tract;
  • previous gastrotomies (for ulcers);
  • chronic duodenal obstruction in the stage of decompensation;
  • cicatricial changes in the sphincter;
  • genetic predisposition;
  • reasons contributing to increased intra-abdominal pressure;
  • chronic inflammatory diseases duodenum;
  • abnormalities in the development of the digestive system;
  • conditions after removal of the gallbladder;
  • treatment with drugs that relax smooth muscles;
  • poor nutrition;
  • tumors of the stomach and intestines.

Increased pressure in the initial sections small intestine causes the accumulation of bile and digestive juice of the pancreas. The accumulated secretion contributes to impaired peristalsis, the duodenum increases in size, causing stagnation. The pyloric sphincter reacts to this, it relaxes, which causes bile to enter the stomach.

The operations undergone lead to scarring and anatomical changes. The pylorus does not close completely, motor coordination is impaired, which causes the reflux of bile into the stomach. Tumors deform the sphincter, simultaneously increasing pressure, which over time causes reverse pathological reflux of chyme.

Clinical manifestations

Symptoms of duodenogastric reflux rarely appear on their own. Already with the addition of additional pathology of the gastrointestinal tract, signs of this pathology can be observed.

Patients with this disease often have:

  • belching air with a sour taste;
  • heartburn;
  • nausea;
  • vomit;
  • the presence of a bitter taste in the mouth;
  • pain in the stomach;
  • cramping abdominal pain;
  • indigestion;
  • bloating;
  • feeling of heaviness in the epigastrium;
  • Immediately after eating, you may experience a feeling of heat throughout your body and sweating.

Bile entering the stomach, with frequent reflux, has a significant damaging effect on the mucous membrane. This leads to inflammatory changes, gastritis appears with symptoms of dyspepsia. Neurological disorders promote discoordination of the stomach and intestines, which causes flatulence, diarrhea and abdominal pain.

Diagnostics

Bile in the stomach can be determined using fibrogastroduodenoscopy. Signs of pathological reflux are:

  • redness of the walls;
  • erosion on the surface of the mucosa;
  • swelling of the walls;
  • staining of areas of the stomach;
  • gatekeeper gaping;
  • thickening of folds;
  • atrophic changes;
  • on the surface of the intestine there are signs of tissue degeneration (metaplasia).

1. Using a probe, the contents are taken for analysis, and the acidity of the juice decreases towards a more alkaline side. Sometimes daily pH measurements are performed with biochemical analysis acidic state gastric juice.

2. Ultrasound examination will determine the thickening of the mucous membrane and the upward movement of gas bubbles from the duodenum.

3. X-ray with barium will give a picture of the simultaneous return of food debris and bile.

4. In a hospital setting, duodenogastric reflux can be determined using the minimally invasive method of radionuclide biliary scintigraphy.

Methods of therapy

1. Eliminate duodenogastric reflux It's hard enough. Treatment of this disease similar to ulcer therapy. Drugs are prescribed to improve gastrointestinal motility: Motilium, Metoclopromide (Cerucal), Perinorm, Raglan, Itomed, Ganatom. Motilium improves evacuation capacity, enhances intestinal tone and stimulates the gallbladder, which is necessary to treat excess bile in the stomach. The drug is available in the form of a suspension, which is very convenient for use in pediatric practice.

2. B complex treatment stomach also use substances that regulate the acidity of gastric juice. This group includes: Maalox, Phosphalugel, Gastal, Gelusil, Gaviscon. They eliminate the symptoms of reflux, reduce the acidic activity of the secretory fluid, thereby reducing stomach irritation.

3. Inhibitors proton pump– drugs that block the excessive activity of certain cells. Under the influence of drugs, the release of hydrochloric acid is significantly reduced, and the activity phase of the part where the sphincter is located is suppressed. As a result, bile reflux is prevented. This group includes:

  • Pantoprazole;
  • Lansoprazole;
  • Pariet;
  • Nexium;
  • Dexilant.

4. Symptoms of dysfunction of the liver and gallbladder will be treated with drugs from the ursodeoxycholic acid group. These chemical substances treat damaged hepatocytes and restore cells from the stomach, increase local immunity, improve the kinetic properties of bile, and promote the lysis of gallstones. This one is like that medicinal substances, How:

  • Ursofalk;
  • Ursodex;
  • Urosliv.

5. Gastroprotectors will help in the treatment of modified membranes. Such drugs include:

  • Venter;
  • Ulgastran;
  • De-nol;
  • Rebamipide.

6. Additionally, adsorbents are used for treatment and evacuation of bile from the stomach:

  • Smecta;
  • White coal;
  • Polyphepan;
  • Lactofiltrum.

7. For the treatment of concomitant symptoms and elimination side effects use additional medications: antispasmodics, vitamins and sedatives.

Only a gastroenterologist will advise how to treat the stomach correctly after necessary complex examinations.

Features of diet and folk remedies

To treat pathological reflux of intestinal contents into the stomach, it is necessary to adhere to a diet. It provides restrictions:

  • fatty (sour cream, butter, lard);
  • salty, spicy and sour;
  • smoked meats;
  • spices;
  • fried;
  • chocolate, coffee;
  • rough food;
  • carbonated drinks.

The diet involves not only limiting certain foods, but also split meals. Food should be taken often, in small portions, throughout the day. Good to use low-fat varieties meat and fish, porridge, stale White bread, rice, potatoes, pasta.

Besides chemicals and a simple diet, folk remedies are also used for treatment:

1. Flax seeds. Helps with symptoms of reflux (heartburn, belching, bitter taste in the mouth). 1 tbsp. l seeds are boiled in 200 g of water for several minutes. Then it is left to infuse for 2 hours. The infusion is taken 1 tbsp. l before meals.

2. A decoction of dandelion roots will help eliminate signs of reflux. For this, 1 tbsp. pour a spoonful of roots with a glass of boiling water. Let it brew for about 2 hours. Consume 4 times a day before meals.

3. Generous reception liquid will help relieve symptoms of intoxication and establish peristalsis.

Traditional medicine can eliminate inflammation and improve the motor activity of the digestive system. Treatment of bile reflux is mandatory, since it long stay in the organ contributes to the development of cancer. Constant exposure to something unusual for chemical composition The stomach environment stimulates the degeneration of epithelial cells and becomes a prerequisite for the development of ulcers and then tumors. Sticking to proper nutrition and recommended therapy, positive results can be achieved.

Reflux esophagitis is one of the most common disorders digestive process. When bile is released into the esophagus and then into the oral cavity, the contents of the stomach corrode the mucous membrane, causing severe painful sensations and heartburn.

Main reasons, causing spasm Common bile duct – dyskinesia biliary tract, inflammation of the gallbladder and liver, oncological processes. As soon as symptoms of bile leakage into the stomach appear, treatment for the condition must begin. The chance of getting rid of the disease increases if it can be caught at the very beginning.

Physiology of bile movement

The liver produces bile, which rises into the gallbladder due to the action of the gallbladder sphincter and contraction bile ducts.

Bile accumulates in the gallbladder, and as soon as the process of eating begins, it is reflexively thrown into the stomach through the sphincter of Oddi. In the stomach, digestive juices mix and the digestion process begins.

When the gallbladder is removed, bile duct dyskinesia and liver disease, the functions of the sphincter of Oddi are impaired. The release of contents no longer depends on impulses - signals from the brain that it produces when food enters the stomach.

The sphincter contracts voluntarily, bile accumulates in the stomach, and under the influence negative factors is thrown into the intestines and esophagus, enters the oral cavity, injuring the delicate mucous membrane.

Such casting causes serious complications:

  • reflux gastritis - the gastric mucosa becomes inflamed, and after eating food the stomach contents back up into the esophagus;
  • if treatment does not start on time, the condition worsens, gastroesophageal reflux disease begins - erosive and ulcerative lesions stomach and duodenum, the esophagus becomes inflamed;
  • later the functional epithelium is replaced by a cylindrical analogue, and a diagnosis can be made "Baret's esophagus". This is the stage precancerous condition digestive organ.

The deterioration of the condition can be influenced by many factors, even those not related to poor diet.

Causes of bile reflux into the esophagus

Food in a person should pass only from top to bottom - from the mouth to the esophagus, from the esophagus to the stomach and further into the intestines. Vomiting does not count normal condition– they occur when the body is intoxicated, when the stomach urgently needs to be cleansed of toxins. By vomiting, the body protects itself from poisoning.

Digestive juices - hydrochloric acid, bile and pancreatic secretions enter the stomach - with their help food is digested. The sphincter keeps the food bolus from moving up the esophagus. Under the influence of negative factors, digestive balance can be disrupted.

Reasons for the release of bile from the stomach that do not require treatment:

  • violation of the diet - abuse of carbonated drinks and foods that stimulate bile secretion - fatty, smoked foods, strong coffee and tea;
  • use of certain medications;
  • smoking;
  • physical exercise and reinforced physical activity after meal;
  • pregnancy;
  • uncomfortable position while sleeping.

But there are conditions that can be dealt with without medical care impossible.

These include:


  • obesity 2-3 degrees;
  • enterocolitis of various etiologies causing bloating;
  • pyloric insufficiency;
  • biliary dyskinesia;
  • hiatal hernia in lower section esophagus;
  • ascites with cardiovascular diseases and lesions of the respiratory system;
  • pathological changes in the duodenum;
  • diseases of the intestines and digestive organs.

With these diseases, conservative treatment does not always help, in severe cases surgery is required. It should be taken into account that after surgery on the digestive organs, symptoms of reflux also occur - bitterness is felt in the mouth.

Characteristic symptoms when bile is released from the intestines into the esophagus

The following symptoms may indicate inflammation of the esophagus in the lower section - the flow of bile is disrupted, and the following occurs:

  • heartburn - that is, a feeling that behind the sternum - in the pit of the stomach - as if it were baking, the pain rises from the bottom up, more often appears after sudden movements or at night;
  • bitterness in the mouth and burning of the larynx - begins after bending over, with physical effort, when moving to a horizontal position;
  • gagging or bitter vomiting after eating;
  • severe pain in the diaphragm area;
  • hiccups when the stomach is full.

Don't wait for complications. Reflux can cause attacks of tachycardia and angina, adhesions appear in the esophagus due to constant irritation, normal mucous membrane is replaced by scar tissue - there is a high risk of cancer of the esophagus and stomach. You should not wait for the manifestations of serious pathologies - be sure to consult a doctor at the first symptoms of an unpleasant condition.

Diagnosis of the disease


A therapeutic regimen to eliminate bile reflux is prescribed after examination and diagnosis. Currently, first of all, a patient with suspected reflux is sent to FGS, where the presence of bile in the stomach is immediately visible outside of eating and a fragment of the mucous membrane can be immediately taken for a biopsy.

Abdominal ultrasonography, echography, ultrasound examination, and radiography with a dye are also performed. Endoscopic examination may be required.

Treatment of reflex disease

Regardless of the reasons that caused reflux, the patient will have to sit on special diet, the purpose of which is to protect the mucous membrane digestive organs from the aggressive effects of bile.

The diet is divided into small portions, up to 6-7 times a day (by the way, in the second half of pregnancy, regardless of the pressure on the diaphragm, it is advisable to switch to this diet).

All foods that stimulate bile secretion are excluded from the diet - sour, fatty, spicy, smoked, sweet, carbonated drinks, chocolate, rich nutrient broths.

During treatment you will have to eat viscous food - jelly, porridge; It is recommended to increase the amount of dairy and fermented milk products. From fresh vegetables and fruits will have to be temporarily abandoned.

In the therapeutic regimen for conservative treatment includes the following drugs.


  1. Proton pump inhibitors – "Omez", "Gastrozol", "Ranitidine", "Omezol", "Pepticum" or similar;
  2. Antacids that protect the mucous membrane from damage and reduce the secretion of the digestive organs - "Maalox", "Almagel", "Gastrofarm";
  3. Selective medicines, enhancing the evacuation function and accelerating the flow of bile from the stomach into the intestines - "Motilium", "Cisapride";
  4. To eliminate bitter belching and normalize bile secretion, drugs with ursodeoxyoleic acid are used - "Ursosan", "Ursofalk", "Ursoliv";
  5. To relieve spasms and eliminate pain, antispasmodics are used - “No-shpu”, “Spazmalgon”, “Baralgin”. It is advisable to use medications in this group by injection to reduce the load on the stomach.

If bile reflux is caused by organic pathologies, then surgical intervention is necessary. The safest operation that is currently being attempted is laparotomy. They escort her out endoscopic method– thanks to such operations, the possibility of side effects is reduced.

The secretion produced by the liver is considered an essential component of digestion. It is a kind of toggle switch that switches the process of food processing from gastric to intestinal. When the body functions optimally, this fluid does not reach the epigastrium, but exceptions to the rule occur. The reflux of bile into the stomach, the symptoms and causes of the formation of pathology will be discussed further.

Bile is a liquid secreted by the liver, necessary for digesting food in the intestines. It enters this organ through the biliary tract.

Anatomically, bile belongs to the liver. However, before being sent to the intestines, it accumulates in the gallbladder. Hippocrates at one time noted the enormous role that this organ plays in the life of the body. In some teachings, it is considered the starting point from which health-improving activities should begin. The purpose of the gallbladder is to solve the following tasks:

  • Providing the duodenum with the necessary amount of secretion.
  • Making a significant contribution to metabolic processes.
  • Formation of fluid that is part of the joint membranes.

In standard mode, this element penetrates the gallbladder and starts the digestion of products entering through the esophagus. However, in some situations, bile “goes astray” and goes directly into the stomach. Experts do not classify a failure in the food processing mechanism as an independent disease. The pathological process is considered a symptom of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

In the human body, this fluid is responsible for the following tasks:

  • leveling the organic element pepsin, which is part of the gastric juice;
  • revival of peristalsis;
  • assistance in the production of micelles;
  • preventing bacteria and proteins from sticking together;
  • formation of feces;
  • activation of the synthesis of intestinal hormones and mucus;
  • fat emulsification;
  • intestinal antiseptic.

However, the leading function of bile is to stimulate the transition of the digestive process from the stomach to the intestines.

The composition of this liquid is quite diverse, and any changes in the balance of components can lead to ailments, including the formation.

The process of bile formation

The gallbladder serves as a container that provides the duodenum with the necessary amount of secretion for processing food. The formation of bile is a constant process influenced by external and internal stimuli.

Features of the formation of liver secretions

  1. The duration of the undeveloped stage is from 3 to 12 minutes. At the end of the meal, the rate of production of this element increases. The formation of bile is determined by the acidity of the “filling” of the stomach, the period of its presence in this organ, as well as the production of hormones responsible for the activation of bile formation.
  2. The next stage is biliary excretion. It takes from 3 to 6 hours. With the help of special fibers, the motility of the bladder and adjacent ducts is activated, stimulating the relaxation of the sphincter of Oddi. Thanks to this, further movement of bile occurs.
  3. When the body is not busy processing food, bile enters the gallbladder and accumulates there until the next digestive cycle.

The process of bile formation is ongoing. The transition of secretion into the duodenum is discrete, only during the digestive process.

Causes of bile reflux into the stomach

According to the design of nature and evolutionary mechanisms, the passage of food through the body is carried out only along one established course - from top to bottom. A unique protective reaction - vomiting, which makes it possible to get rid of toxic substances - does not fall under this rule.

The danger of bile being in the stomach cavity is caused by the possibility of deformation of its walls.

The food transportation scheme is as follows: oral cavity → esophagus → stomach → duodenum → remaining parts of the intestine. The sphincter prevents the food bolus from returning in the opposite direction. It is a kind of lock that allows food to pass through one-way.

If bile ends up in the stomach, then the work of the sphincter located between this organ and the intestines is impaired. Pathological processes events occurring in it lead to weakening muscle tone, resulting in the secret being leaked in an undesired direction.

In addition, such a pathology may be due to the following reasons:

  • liver diseases;
  • congenital physiological abnormalities and acquired injuries;
  • gallbladder spasms;
  • the presence of hernias and tumors;
  • cholelithiasis;
  • excessive intake of muscle relaxants or antispasmodics.

More detailed information about liver diseases you can find in.

Pregnant women are at risk. During development, the fetus puts pressure on the duodenum, which provokes the reflux of bile to the wrong destination. During surgical interventions there is a risk of injury to the sphincter muscles, which can lead to the reverse movement of digestive fluid. This is especially true for patients who have undergone gall bladder surgery.

Factors contributing to weakening of the natural valve:

  • regular overeating;
  • sleeping on the left side with a full stomach;
  • violation of the nutritional schedule;
  • increased physical activity after meals;
  • simultaneous intake of carbonated water and large quantity food;
  • smoking;
  • excess weight, exceeding the permissible norm by 20 kg;
  • constant consumption of smoked and fried foods.

If bile enters the stomach as a result of the listed factors, the root cause should be eliminated in a timely manner. In this situation, drug therapy can be excluded.

Symptoms and possible consequences of bile reflux into the stomach

When the gastrointestinal tract works well, the fluid produced by the liver does not reach the stomach. Entering the intestines, bile neutralizes the destructive effects of stomach acid and participates in the process of fat breakdown. However, once in the stomach, it turns from a creative element into a destructive one, capable of causing the development of gastritis or erosion.

Release of bile into the stomach - symptoms

If the secretion passes into the epigastrium in a large volume, there is a risk of injury to the walls of the esophagus. As a result of exposure to the acids that make up this liquid, the tone of the sphincter that protects the food tube decreases.

Table 1. Symptoms of bile reflux

SymptomDescription
Aching pain in the abdominal cavityLack of clear localization of painful sensations.
BelchingBile provokes the formation of bad-smelling gases in the stomach, which exit the body through the oral cavity. If at the same time as gas bubbles it comes out physiological fluid, belching takes on a bitter taste.
HeartburnIf there is excessive release, the secretion from the stomach penetrates the esophagus, causing irritation of its walls and heartburn. The burning sensation is not associated with eating.
Distension in the abdomenCaused by the pressure exerted by the liver fluid on the gastrointestinal tract.
Yellowish coating on the tongueOccurs due to fluid from the stomach entering the oral cavity.
Vomiting bileWhen the fluid overflows, the contents of the stomach come out.

This process is also accompanied by:

  • physical weakness and constant fatigue
  • increased gas formation;
  • feeling of heaviness in the epigastric region;
  • bloating;
  • swelling;
  • increased sweating;
  • fever after eating;
  • constant feeling of thirst.

If bile remains in the stomach for a long period, such a situation can be fraught with the occurrence of the following diseases:

  • Barrett's esophagus - a precancerous stage of the lower part of the esophagus;
  • reflux gastritis - release of the contents of the duodenum into the stomach;
  • gastroesophageal reflux disease is a regular release of stomach contents into the esophagus, causing injury to its walls.

Note! In such situations, surgical intervention is necessary.

Diagnosis and treatment

Despite many progressive research methods, accurate anamnesis and a thorough examination of the abdominal cavity are considered to be the leading methods for detecting bile in the stomach.

For these purposes, the following methods are used:

  • liver function tests;
  • magnetic resonance cholangiography to detect stones;
  • duodenal intubation;
  • cholescintigraphy;
  • fibrogastroduodenoscopy.

Every year the diagnostic potential increases, and specialists are given the opportunity to promptly identify pathology.

Table 2. Treatment regimen

The primary measure for this pathology is the prescription of drugs whose action is aimed at improving the motor processes of the gastrointestinal tract.

Table 3. Drugs for improving the motor processes of the gastrointestinal tract

A drugDescription
Motilium
Stimulates peristalsis. Has an excellent antiemetic effect.

Accelerates the movement of food throughout all parts of the digestive tract.
Cerucal
Keeps the gastrointestinal tract in good shape.

Motilium is given great importance in therapy. This remedy has the ability to accelerate the excretion of feces, improves peristalsis and the functioning of the gallbladder, which is useful for the body when there is excess bile. The medication is available in several variations, including a suspension, convenient for treating young children.

Dealing with abnormal bile flow should be done in a comprehensive manner. An important factor is the use of drugs whose action is aimed at regulating the level of acidity.

Table 4. Means for regulating acidity levels

A drugAdditional properties
Phosphalugel
Neutralizes the effect of acid, envelops the walls of the stomach, protecting against irritation.
Maalox
It has carminative and choleretic properties.

Strengthens the regenerative processes occurring in the gastric mucosa.

The use of proton pump inhibitors is very important in therapy. Medicines can reduce the pathological activity of cells and reduce the production of hydrochloric acid. This has a positive effect on sphincter motility, which prevents bile reflux. For this purpose, the following means are used.

Table 5. Proton pump inhibitors

A drugDescription

Reduces the secretion of gastric glands. Has an antiulcer effect.
Lansoprazole
Blocks the formation of hydrochloric acid at the final stage.

An antiulcer agent that reduces the production of hydrochloric acid.

Therapeutic diet

Compliance therapeutic nutrition plays a huge role in preventing bile reflux. It significantly alleviates the unpleasant manifestations of diseases accompanied by the penetration of secretions into the stomach.

The principle of nutritional therapy is fractional nutrition. Food should be taken in small portions 5 times a day. The daily diet should be eliminated from the following components:

  • fried, fatty and salty foods;
  • smoked meats;
  • hot spices;
  • alcoholic and carbonated drinks.

It is advisable to reduce the amount of consumption vegetable oils and broths cooked using fatty meats.

To optimize the activity of the intestines and gallbladder, patients need to introduce the following products into their diet:

  • bran;
  • dried apricots;
  • bell pepper;
  • pears;
  • carrot;
  • prunes;
  • zucchini;