How To Treat Heartburn Naturally

Home Remedies For Acidity And Heartburn: How To Treat

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• Peppermint Tea: Peppermint tea can help with digestion and stomach pain. However, if you have acid reflux or GERD, avoid ingesting peppermint tea as it can worsen the problem.
• Chamomile Tea: Chamomile tea is well known for its soothing properties and for decreasing inflammation. Studies show that it can calm and soothe the nervous system, and be one of the home remedies for acidity and heartburn.
• Ginger: This is another kitchen staple that has myriad health benefits. Gingerols is the main ingredient found in ginger that gives it its healing properties whether for a normal cough and cold or various digestive and intestinal disorders. Ginger has properties that destroy the acidity triggering pylori bacteria, , minimises nausea and calms the stomach muscles. Fresh ginger also helps in the treatment of nausea. Ginger is also an active ingredient in Ayurvedic medicine for acidity. Ginger can be consumed raw, in tea or in cooking. When suffering from severe indigestion and acidity, combine 1 tbsp of ginger and lemon juice with 2 tbsp. of honey in warm water. This will help reduce the symptoms of acidity, keep your metabolism strong and relieve weakness and pain associated with acidity.

ShutterstockTip:So, now that we have told you some super accessible kitchen ingredients to beat the acidity blues, try to opt for these natural remedies rather than the closest bottle of antacid available when you experience discomfort, nausea or burning due to acidity.

Health Benefits Of Eating Fish

Fish is an extremely versatile food, often seen as a healthy food that can be added to any meal. Many people consider fish to be one of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for heart health. Fish is also a good source of vitamin B12 and vitamin D, which are important for bone health. Fish is also a good source of protein. This is a good source of calories, which can help you maintain your weight. Eating fish is often a good source of magnesium, which is important for muscle and nerve function. People with heartburn often try to find the cause of the problem. An easy way to treat heartburn is by increasing the amount of fiber in your diet. Fiber can help move food through your digestive system faster. However, there are some things you can do to prevent heartburn in the first place.

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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Get Rid Of Heartburn With These Natural Fixes

You feel it coming on, that tell-tale burning sensation in your chest. Sitting, standing, lying down its all uncomfortable, and you need a solution to your indigestion woes.

Heartburn happens when stomach acid creeps up into your esophagus, and its a problem many of us have dealt with. You might reach for over-the-counter antacids and medications, but all too often those dont seem to provide enough relief. Luckily, you probably already have several natural, home remedies for heartburn in your pantry. These can be even more effective than antacids.

What Exactly Is Heartburn

Heartburn, also described by experts as acid indigestion, is a medical condition characterized by a painful or burning sensation originating from the middle of the chest or the above part of the stomach. From there, the pain can spread upwards, usually toward ones throat and even jaw and arms. While the feeling sometimes goes away almost immediately, severe or persistent heartburn can easily stick around for several hours.

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Are You Suffering From Heartburn

Heartburn is caused by acid reflux, reports the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases : Acid reflux is the regurgitation of partially digested liquids or foods that have mixed with stomach acid. This acidic mix makes its way into your esophagus and throat where it causes irritation. Anything that increases pressure on your abdomen can push the contents of your stomach up into the esophagus, including obesity, and pregnancy. Occasional heartburn is nothing to worry about, but frequent heartburn can lead to chronic digestive disorders. How can you find relief? Here are some home remedies for heartburn to try.

Does Milk Help Heartburn

Milk is another old-school remedy for heartburn. Like calcium-based over-the-counter antacids, milk counteracts the acidity of your stomach, says Zumpano. Stick with skim or low-fat milkthe fat content in whole milk could actually contribute to heartburn. Along the same lines, low-fat yogurt may also ease your heartburn .

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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.

What Food Causes Heartburn

As already mentioned, there are several foods that act as heartburn-triggers. However, these differ from person to person, which makes a definite list of things to avoid very hard to compile. Luckily, there are a few rough guidelines for those who frequently suffer from acid reflux as nutritional experts believe that the following foods are universally among the culprits for the infamous burn:

• peppermint,
• chocolate,
• greasy and fatty dishes.

These foods are universally known to either trigger heartburn symptoms or making things worse when theyve already stricken, but this does not mean that simply crossing them off your grocery list will make your food pipe safer.

Every person with reflux issues might react differently to different substances, which makes it very important to also create your own list of risky foods. If youre no stranger to heartburn after meals, simply write down everything you eat and keep track of how you feel afterwards. This way, you will quickly pinpoint your own triggers and extinguish the fire in your throat.

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Avoid Tight Fitting Clothes

Things cinched tightly about your waist or middle can worsen heartburn. If you have super tight jeans on, when you sit down, the waistband is going to sink into your abdomen region. Same goes for tight belts-and even shirts can be a problem for some. This is because all of the above puts extra pressure on your lower esophageal sphincter, which make it more likely stomach contents, will push through and youll experience reflux.

And Finally: Fight Heartburn With Healthy Lifestyle

There are many methods of heartburn treatment that do not require medical assistance. If you only have to deal with reflux issues once in a while, resorting to the tactics above will usually suffice. In general, this means:

• avoiding the most common heartburn triggers such as fatty or spicy dishes,
• eating smaller portions
• avoiding alcohol and fizzy drinks
• swapping cigarettes for some chew gum
• having dinner at least a few hours before bed
• taking care of your body weight

In other words, live a healthy life and take care of your digestion. You can also read an article about stimulating a digestion process to find out what you can do for smooth functioning of your digestive system. And if you want to reset your digestive tract in order to feel better, read our article about detox.

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Eat A Banana Or An Apple

Bananas contain natural antacids that can act as a buffer against acid reflux. If you want to try out the simplest home remedies for heartburn first, try letting a few bananas ripen up nicely and eating one every day. Another option is to try an apple a day. Slice one up and eat it a couple of hours before bedtime to relieve or prevent discomfort.

How Is Acid Reflux Disease Diagnosed

It’s time to see your doctor if you have acid reflux symptoms two or more times a week or if medications don’t bring lasting relief. Symptoms such as heartburn are the key to the diagnosis of acid reflux disease, especially if lifestyle changes, antacids, or acid-blocking medications help reduce these symptoms.

If these steps don’t help or if you have frequent or severe symptoms, your doctor may order tests to confirm a diagnosis and check for other problems. You may need one or more tests such as these:

• Barium swallow can check for ulcers or a narrowing of the esophagus. You first swallow a solution to help structures show up on an X-ray.
• Esophageal manometry can check the function and movement of the esophagus and lower esophageal sphincter.
• pH monitoring can check for acid in your esophagus. The doctor inserts a device into your esophagus and leaves it in place for 1 to 2 days to measure the amount of acid in your esophagus.
• Endoscopycan check for problems in your esophagus or stomach. This test involves inserting a long, flexible, lighted tube with a camera down your throat. First, the doctor will spray the back of your throat with anesthetic and give you a sedative to make you more comfortable.
• A biopsymay be taken during endoscopy to check samples of tissue under a microscope for infection or abnormalities.

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What Causes Heartburn And What Does It Feel Like Exactly

According to the American College of Gastroenterology, stomach acid is needed to break down the food you eat, something your stomach has no trouble handling. Your esophagus, on the other hand, is irritated by it.

To keep stomach acid in your stomach and out of your esophagus, a circular ring of muscle at the tube’s base, called the lower esophageal sphincter, acts as a valve. When this valve is relaxed, food you’ve consumed is allowed to pass through to your stomach. When contracted, this valve prevents this food and acid from backing up into your esophagus.

If this valve relaxes abnormally and stomach acid is allowed to travel back into your esophagus, acid reflux occurs. Heartburn is the most well-known and obvious symptom.

It can feel differently depending on its severity, but heartburn symptoms include:

• A burning sensation in your chest, behind your breastbone
• Burning pain that rises up toward your throat
• Having a bitter or sour taste in your mouth

Acid reflux and heartburn are sometimes caused by an underlying medical condition, or even a medication you’re taking in some cases. But, more often than not, they’re triggered by things like your diet and lifestyle choices making the occasional bout of heartburn fairly common.

Common triggers of heartburn include:

The Problem With Acid Reflux Medications

Due to the uncomfortableâand in some cases, unbearableâsymptoms, many people turn to over-the-counter and prescription medications for quick heartburn relief. The most common types of medications used are H2 blockers and proton-pump inhibitors , which both suppress stomach acid production really effectively. But as with any drug, there can be side effects. The short-term effects of these drugs may include constipation, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. All uncomfortable but not particularly worrisome or serious.

Long-term use of H2 blockers and PPIs, however, can have more serious consequences. Stomach acid plays a crucial role in breaking down food for proper digestion and absorption, so continual suppression of the acid may lead to nutrient deficiencies. Additionally, PPIs may increase blood levels of the hormone gastrin, which can leach calcium from the bones. This combination can increase the risk for bone fractures and osteoporosis. The acidity of the stomach also works to kill bacteria that can cause illnesses. So, chronically low stomach acid levels can leave you at risk for infections. Additionally, the FDA recently put a warning on a commonly used H2 blocker, ranitidine, because it contains a cancer causing chemical called NDMA.

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Home Remedies For Heartburn

A lot of natural remedies have been touted for heartburn or acid reflux relief. These remedies are generally not well researched and should be used with caution. Remember that even natural substances can cause negative side effects and drug interactions.

Some nutritional and herbal treatments that may stop acid reflux naturally include:

Talk to your healthcare provider before trying any natural remedies for heartburn, acid reflux, or GERD.

Maintaining A Moderate Weight

Eating a balanced diet is key for a persons general health, and it can also help them manage their body weight.

According to Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020 2025, approximately Research suggests that there is a link between having obesity and an increased risk of developing acid reflux.

The reason for the link seems to be that excess fat around the abdominal area puts pressure on the stomach, making the body work harder to keep acid down.People with obesity may find that reaching and maintaining a moderate weight helps them reduce the frequency of acid reflux.

It is important that people focus on safe ways to lose weight, as losing too much weight too quickly may cause health problems.

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Check Your Sleep Position

Dr. Mehdizadeh recommends using a wedge pillow when you sleep because it helps to maintain an elevated sleeping position. You can also try sleeping on your left side. According to the Cleveland Clinic, this position is more likely to keep stomach contents where they belong, rather than passing up through the lower esophageal sphincter into the esophagus, which reduces the chances of developing heartburn symptoms. Elevating the head of your bed is another trick to keep heartburn away. One of the best ways to accomplish this is by using risers or wood blocks under the head post, so the entire head of the bed is at an angle.

Lose Weight And Eat Smaller Meals

Obesity puts pressure on the abdomen, resulting in stomach contents being forced up the esophagus. Large, heavy meals also increase pressure on the abdomen and lead to acid reflux. Eating smaller meals and dropping a few pounds is one of the home remedies for heartburn that work, reports the NIDDK. These are the 12 foods that can make your heartburn worse.

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But Be Careful With Juice

Especially citrus juice! While studies show that it does not weaken the function of the lower esophageal sphincter, it is very likely that its compounds irritate the food pipe, thus worsening heartburn symptoms. This shows that acidic lemon and grapefruit juices as well as pH-neutral orange alternatives arent responsible for acid reflux but might still negatively affect its symptoms.

Are there any useful alternatives? One of them is definitely Donat water which contains sodium bicarbonate. It neutralizes stomach acid, i.e. it decreases its acidity, which alleviates its effect on esophagus walls which causes uncomfortable burning sensation. Due to its unique combination of magnesium and sulphates, it also relaxes the digestive tract and accelerates digestion and thereby contributes to the general health and prevents heartburn.

Let Your Stomach Loose

Tight waistbands or belts that dig into your stomach place unnecessary pressure on your abdomen.10 Swallowing an antacid and undoing the button of your pants or taking your belt down a notch or two after eating will provide instant relief. Maintaining a healthy weight is, however, a better long-term solution.

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How To Treat Heartburn When Natural Remedies Dont Work

You may need to take a different approach for heartburn relief if natural remedies arent helping with chest pain, frequent heartburn, and indigestion. The good news is that several over-the-counter and prescription medications are available in the event that home remedies dont work. If youre pregnant, make sure to talk with your doctor before taking any medicine for heartburn. They can recommend an antacid that is safe during pregnancy.

TheU.S. Food & Drug Administration has identified three classes of medications for the treatment of heartburn, including antacids, proton pump inhibitors, and H2-receptor antagonists.

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