There are a few tips to get rid of heartburn, heartburn is a burning sensation in the chest that often becomes severe when lying down or bending over taking. Heartburn is caused by stomach acid moving into the esophagus (the tube that carries food food from the mouth to the stomach). But if you experience 2 times or more a week, maybe you suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease / GERD (a term used to denote acute heartburn).
You can use antacids and other medications prescribed to overcome heartburn. But, to maximize efforts to cure heartburn and acid reflux, you are advised to change lifestyle, start from the type of food and the clothes you wear. If you run regularly, following custom is believed to minimize heartburn and other GERD symptoms.
Heartburn has signs and symptoms include:
• Chest pain like a burn that usually occurs after eating and can also occur when sleeping.
• Pain will worsen when you lie down or bend over.
Causes of Heartburn
Heartburn occurs when stomach acid moves up into the esophagus. Normally when you swallow food, at the end of the esophagus valve opens to let the food down into the stomach and then will close again. However, in this condition, the valve does not close normally, causing stomach acid moves up and cause a burning sensation in your chest. Certain foods and drinks can trigger heartburn include:
- alcohol
- black pepper
- brown
- coffee
- fatty foods
- fried foods
- orange juice
- Peppermint
- Soft drinks
- ketchup
- vinegar
Tips For Getting rid of Heartburn
1. Quit smokingSmoking does not only damage the heart and lungs, but also interfere with the digestive system. Nicotine, much like alcohol, would exacerbate GERD symptoms by relaxing the valve between the stomach and esophagus. In addition, smoking also causes salt water to move from the stomach to the small intestine and reduces the amount of saliva production. Saliva helps cleanse the stomach acid from the esophagus and contain natural components that protect against acid.
2. Avoid tight clothes
Just like excess belly fat, tight clothes also suppress stomach that will push gastric acid into the esophagus. Tight jeans do look attractive, but if the performance is worth it compared to the disruption you experienced? If you suffer from heartburn, avoid belts and underwear that are too tight.
3. Added frequency of eating with small portions
Glut will cause the valve between the stomach and esophagus relaxes, pushing stomach acid up into the esophagus. To avoid this, try eating several times a day. Change the standard diet 3 times a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner). Also, avoid eating the last meal just before bed (because it can also trigger heartburn).
4. Reduce your intake of certain foods
Some food and drink some potentially aggravate heartburn condition. These foods include spicy foods, fatty red meat, french fries (and other fried kind), citrus fruits, raw onion, tomatoes, butter, oil, peppermint, chocolate and caffeine.
5. Avoid alcohol
Alcohol is a bad idea if you suffer from heartburn or GERD. Alcohol will loosen the valve between the stomach and esophagus that allows stomach acid up into the esophagus. A study published in the American Journal of Medicine found that the percentage of people who reported symptoms of acid reflux increased with the addition of alcohol intake. Those who consumed alcohol more than 7 servings per week most at risk of developing heartburn.
6. Lose weight
Excess weight triggers heartburn. The study, published in the International Journal of Epidemiology with the number more than 10,000 participants found a strong association between GERD symptoms and body mass index (BMI). Those who are obese are at risk 3 times more likely to have heartburn than those with normal weight. The experts have not found a definite reason. But they said if that suppress stomach belly fat is also influential. In addition, it could also be caused by chemical or hormonal changes.
7. Raise the head while sleeping
Sleeping position also affect heartburn. Avoid eating before bedtime and elevate your head while sleeping 6-8 inches. This position does not reduce the frequency of acid reflux, but research shows that this method accelerates the loss of acid from the esophagus. One of the study, was quoted as written on health site, shows that this method can speed up the clearance of acid from the esophagus to 67%.
Food That Can Help Relieve Heartburn
Chewing gumChewing gum could prove to handle heartburn. These foods increase saliva production and eventually blocking stomach acid to move up into the esophagus. Say bye-bye to feeling like a burning hot.
Ginger
Ginger not only can lower blood pressure, ginger is also friendly to the stomach. The content of the two active chemicals called gingerols and phenols can reduce the risk of acid reflux. According to the findings of the researchers in India Central Food Technological Research Institute, ginger candy can reduce the burning sensation in the stomach up to 40%. Try to eat ginger candy or a cup of hot ginger tea. Put the grated ginger in a cup, put hot water into it, and strain it until there was nothing left of grated ginger. Then drink while warm.
Mustard
Mustard is made from several types of materials such as mustard seeds, water, vinegar, and salt. The content of this vinegar in the mustard that could soothe the side effects of heartburn. Vinegar makes the production of saliva increases. That is why, the stomach acid will not flare up stifling the esophagus.
