Follow A Low Carb Diet
Growing evidence suggests that low carb diets may relieve acid reflux symptoms.
In fact, some researchers suspect that undigested carbs may cause bacterial overgrowth and increased pressure inside the abdomen, which could contribute to acid reflux (
Summary
Excessive alcohol intake can worsen acid reflux symptoms. If you experience heartburn, limiting your alcohol intake might help ease some of your discomfort.
What Lifestyle Changes Help Heartburn
The best way to avoid heartburn discomfort is to prevent it. These lifestyle changes can make a big difference:
- Avoid trigger foods:Foods that promote heartburn include fried and fatty foods, caffeine, chocolate, spicy foods and carbonated beverages.
- Lose weight: Being overweight increases the likelihood that you’ll experience heartburn.
- Avoid eating late at night: Try to eat three hours before going to bed. At a minimum, you should wait at least one hour after eating.
- Elevate the bed: Physically lift the head of your bed about six to eight inches so you’re sleeping on an incline. If that’s not possible, use a wedge pillow for lift.
- Avoid alcohol and tobacco: These substances increase the chances of heartburn attacks.
- Wear looser clothing: Tight clothing can put pressure on your digestive system.
- Reduce stress.Techniques such as mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy or hypnotherapy can help reduce stress and anxiety.
Ways To Quell The Fire Of Heartburn
Heartburn is a common problem. Its caused by the backwash of stomach acid into the esophagus, the tube connecting the mouth and stomach. This is formally called gastroesophageal reflux disease . More than just a minor discomfort, heartburn can significantly reduce quality of life. Heartburn can cause damage to the esophagus and even increase the risk of cancer if ignored and untreated, says Dr. William Kormos, editor in chief of Harvard Mens Health Watch and a primary care physician at Massachusetts General Hospital.
These eight steps can help ease heartburn.
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Is It Just Heartburn Or Gerd
Frequent heartburn can be a major issue. If you experience heartburn two or more times a week, you may have gastroesophageal reflux disease .
In this chronic condition, frequent exposure to stomach acid irritates and damages the esophagus. Over time, that can lead to problems such as difficulty swallowing. An estimated 40 percent of Americans report symptoms of GERD – but the condition can significantly improve with lifestyle changes.
If you’ve tried home remedies and lifestyle adjustments and still have frequent heartburn, consult with your family doctor or a gastroenterologist. There are multiple treatments that can help, including medications and minimally invasive surgery for acid reflux.
Avoid Trigger Foods Of Reflux
Most people have trigger foods that cause symptoms.
These tend to stimulate stomach acid production, which becomes reflux .
While trigger foods vary from person to person, the most common appear to be:
- onion and garlic
- greasy, fatty foods.
Chocolate and peppermint oil have been shown to lower the strength of LES contractions, which promotes reflux .
Citrus juices and tomato products are thought to irritate the esophagus, making symptoms worse. Other somewhat acidic beverages may also aggravate symptoms, including soda, coffee, tea .
The most effective way to determine your trigger foods is to keep a food and symptoms diary for 2 weeks. Record everything you eat, estimated quantities, and any symptoms that arise. This allows you to see trends and patterns you would otherwise overlook.
This is an example of a food and symptom diary used for elimination diets such as the low FODMAP diet .
Note that big meals can also contribute to symptoms, as does eating too close to bedtime .
Summary: Identify your so-called trigger foods by keeping a food and symptom diary. Also avoid big meals and eating close to bedtime.
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What Are The Main Symptoms Of Gerd
The main symptoms are persistent heartburn and acid regurgitation. Some people have GERD without heartburn. Instead, they experience pain in the chest, hoarseness in the morning or trouble swallowing. You may feel like you have food stuck in your throat, or like you are choking or your throat is tight. GERD can also cause a dry cough and bad breath.
Can Gerd Cause Asthma
We dont know the exact relationship between GERD and asthma. More than 75% of people with asthma have GERD. They are twice as likely to have GERD as people without asthma. GERD may make asthma symptoms worse, and asthma drugs may make GERD worse. But treating GERD often helps to relieve asthma symptoms.
The symptoms of GERD can injure the lining of the throat, airways and lungs, making breathing difficult and causing a persistent cough, which may suggest a link. Doctors mostly look at GERD as a cause of asthma if:
- Asthma begins in adulthood.
- Asthma symptoms get worse after a meal, exercise, at night and after lying down.
- Asthma doesnt get better with standard asthma treatments.
If you have asthma and GERD, your healthcare provider can help you find the best ways to handles both conditions the right medications and treatments that wont aggravate symptoms of either disease.
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Try Sleeping On Your Left Side
Sleeping on your left side could improve acid reflux symptoms.
A small 2015 study found that people sleeping on their left side with the upper part of their body elevated had less instances of acid reflux.
Meanwhile, a 2006 review cited several studies that found people who slept on their right side had worsened acid reflux.
Researchers aren’t sure exactly why this is the case, but they suggest that it could be because the point where the esophagus and stomach meet is positioned above the gastric acid in the stomach when you lie on your left side.
Apple Cider Vinegar To Get Rid Of Heartburn
Apple cider vinegar is a remedy that has been used to treat a number of health related issues. It is also one of the finest remedies for heartburn also. It has properties that helps calm down the symptoms of heartburn. Follow the given steps to use it:
- Take a glass of water and add a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to it.
- Mix it well and drink it.
- It will give you instant relief from the sensations.
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Home Remedies For Heartburn And Acid Reflux
If youre experiencing heartburn, youll be glad to hear that there are several options for at-home fixes.
But, like medications, home remedies and supplements can have risks. Some can interact with medications or cause other problems.
If youre pregnant, breastfeeding or chestfeeding, or have other health conditions, you may need to avoid certain remedies or supplements.
Herbal remedies and supplements are for safety and effectiveness in the same way that medications are. So, its not always possible to know exactly whats in the bottle youre buying and what effects it could have.
Its always best to talk with your doctor before trying these options.
Acid Reflux Heartburn Or Gerd
Sometimes other words are used to refer to heartburn, like acid reflux or GERD. But they do not all mean the same thing. To treat heartburn, its helpful to understand the difference.
Heartburn is a symptom. It means the feeling of burning pain in the middle of your chest. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases , the pain typically starts behind your breastbone and moves up toward your throat.
Acid reflux happens when your stomach acid travels too high up in your digestive system. Usually, gravity and your digestive system work together to keep stomach acid down in your stomach where it belongs. But sometimes it can rise up into your esophagus and cause irritation, heartburn, or other symptoms.
You might have heard of GERD its a shorter name for gastroesophageal reflux disease. While this condition can have many different causes and symptoms, it often involves heartburn. GERD can sometimes lead to serious complications, so if you have heartburn frequently, talk with a doctor.
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Don’t Be Ashamed To Ask For Help
Admitting that you’re struggling is hard, but there’s no shame in it.
If you feel like stress, sadness or negative feelings are starting to pile up, try confiding in a friend or family member. Talking to someone about your concerns can help you process your feelings more fully, and may help reduce some of the burden you’re feeling. It may also strengthen the bond between yourself and another person especially if he or she is experiencing the same struggles. All of these things can help improve your mood.
If you’re concerned about your mental health, you should seek help from a medical health or mental health professional. A good place to start is your primary care doctor.
Limit Your Intake Of Carbonated Beverages
Healthcare professionals sometimes advise people with GERD to limit their intake of carbonated beverages.
This is because studies have observed that regular consumption of carbonated or fizzy beverages, including soft drinks, club soda, and seltzer, could be linked to a higher risk of reflux .
One study found that carbonated soft drinks, in particular, worsened certain acid reflux symptoms, including heartburn, fullness, and burping .
The main reason is that the carbon dioxide gas in carbonated beverages causes people to burp more often an effect that can increase the amount of acid escaping into the esophagus .
Summary
Drinking carbonated beverages temporarily increases the frequency of burping, which may promote acid reflux. If they worsen your symptoms, try drinking less or avoiding them altogether.
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Adopt New Bedroom Habits
Do you have trouble sleeping at night due to heartburn? If so, try sleeping on your left side this position seems to help. Experts also recommend keeping your upper body elevated to make it harder for acids to flow up the esophagus. Raise the head of your bed or use a thick wedge-shaped body pillow when sleeping to keep heartburn at bay.7
References
* Onset of acid neutralization does not imply the onset of symptom relief.
Four Things To Do After Eating
With these small changes, you can help your heartburn even if you suffer from GERD. Remember The Rule of Fours, and you will reduce or even eliminate your acid reflux.
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How To Cure Heartburn Four Quick Fixes And Long
How to cure heartburn you ask? Well, theres no easy answer to that question.
If youve been struggling with acid reflux for any length of time, then you know there isnt a quick fix to this disease as a whole. GERD has many symptoms, one of which is heartburn. At the crux of this disease is the lower oesophageal sphincter . Located at the junction of the oesophagus and the stomach, the LES can weaken and no longer function as an effective barrier, allowing the acidic contents of the stomach to back-flow up into the oesophagus. When this happens, heartburn often follows. This weakening of the LES is progressive, so the more often you reflux, the more frequent the episodes become.
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Medications can help relieve acid reflux symptoms by making the contents of the stomach less acidic however, they dont stop reflux from happening. Thats why managing GERD requires commitment and diligence: Watching what and how you eat and making lifestyle choices aimed at minimizing reflux can reduce your symptoms AND help stop the progression of the condition.
But sometimes, despite your best efforts to manage your GERD, heartburn strikes and you need relief . So though we cant provide a definite answer to how to cure heartburn? We can offer four quick fixes to help you cool the burn.
Elevate Your Upper Body
Lying down can make heartburn worse. When it comes time for bed, adjust your sleeping surface to raise your upper body.
Lifting your head with extra pillows may not be enough. To get relief, try elevating your body from the waist up.
You can change the angle of your sleeping surface by using a wedge pillow. Or, if you have an adjustable bed, you can set it at a suitable angle.
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Are There Any Other Natural Treatments For Heartburn
Melatonin, a supplement used to aid sleep, has been suggested to help relieve heartburn. But the research is conflicting as to whether it is effective for this or any other gastrointestinal symptoms.
Before you decide to take any herbal remedy or supplement, check with your doctor. Some supplements can have side effects or can interact with medications you’re already taking.
Sip On Water And Baking Soda
Utilizing a small amount of baking soda mixed with water could lower your stomachs acidity levels similar to an over-the-counter antacid due to the same active ingredients, sodium bicarbonate, Dr. Johnston says. This is one of the best at-home remedies to provide occasional, temporary relief from acid reflux.
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Avoid Your Trigger Foods
Often, certain foods are behind episodes of acid reflux. Identifying and avoiding those foods can reduce your symptoms.
You might notice that certain foods or beverages bother you. Other times, it may not be obvious. A food and symptom diary can help you identify trigger foods.
Common food triggers include:
How To Get Rid Of Heartburn Quickly: Medications & Home Remedies
If youve ever experienced a burning sensation in your chest after eating, youve probably had heartburn.
Caused by stomach acid coming up into the esophaguswhich is called acid refluxheartburn can happen to anyone, and it may get worse after eating certain foods, bending over, or lying down.
Heartburn, as common as it is, can be painful and even debilitating.
Luckily, there are several at-home remedies for heartburn that can help improve your symptoms, including over-the-counter medications.
If you find your heartburn symptoms are occurring more frequently or not going away when you try to treat them, its important to talk to a doctor who can rule out serious medical conditions and help you find a treatment that decreases your discomfort.
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Home Remedies To Treat Heartburn
Instead of rushing to a doctor, just check your kitchen cabinet. It has all the ingredients that can cure heartburn. These home remedies are natural and have no side effects.
1. Easy Heartburn Remedies:Honey
Honey is a natural treatment for heartburn. As you feel the symptoms of heartburn, heat 1 tablespoon of honey. Alternatively, mix honey in chamomile tea and sip it slowly.
2. Natural Treatment Against Heartburn:Almonds
Snack on 15-20 almonds. After half an hour, you will feel relief from the pain, caused due to heartburn. Almonds will completely vanish the burning sensation. To reduce the instances of heartburn, it is suggested to eat some almonds after every meal.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar : Mix 2 tablespoons of ACV into a half cup of water or apple juice. Drink it after each meal. This will help to calm down the upset stomach and make heartburn go away.
4. Aloe Vera Juice: Aloe vera juice is the best remedy for treating really bad heartburn. It will remove the pain and inflammation. Make sure, you use only organic and fresh aloe vera juice.
5. Apples: An apple a day keeps the doctor away. This is absolutely right! Apple contains several beneficial properties. Eat an apple for instant relief of heartburn. It neutralizes the acid in your tummy in just 4-5 minutes.
6. Natural Treatment Against Heartburn:Bananas
Banana is a natural home remedy for quick heartburn relief. Eat a banana to get rid of severe heartburn.
7. Easy Heartburn Remedies:Baking Soda
Eat Smaller More Frequent Meals
Theres a ring-like muscle known as the lower esophageal sphincter where the esophagus opens into the stomach.
It acts as a valve and normally prevents the acidic contents of the stomach from going up into the esophagus. It typically stays closed but may open when you swallow, belch, or vomit.
In people with acid reflux, this muscle is weakened or dysfunctional. Acid reflux can also occur when theres too much pressure on the muscle, causing acid to squeeze through the opening .
Unsurprisingly, most reflux symptoms take place after a meal. It also seems that eating just one to two large meals per day may worsen reflux symptoms (
24 ).
For this reason, some studies suggest that losing at least 10% of your body weight could significantly decrease symptoms of GERD in people with the condition .
Achieving and maintaining a moderate body weight can help reduce acid reflux in the long term.
However, if youre interested in this approach, make sure to speak with a healthcare professional to assess whether its right for you, and if so, how you can lose weight safely and sustainably.
Summary
Losing belly fat and maintaining a moderate weight might relieve some of your symptoms of GERD. However, make sure to speak with a healthcare professional before attempting to lose weight to treat this condition.
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