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Source: Peter Sykes @Guidance On Heartburn and Go Articles
What to Do for Heartburn #MedicalHealthWorldwide
The Causes plus 3 Tips for Sufferers
What to do for heartburn will depend on the cause of your problem. For this reason, we see so many different remedies. Some are herbal, some are on prescription and others are obtainable over the counter.
Below is a brief explanation of the causes of heartburn, followed by three useful tips for sufferers, plus a bonus tip!
Heartburn sufferers experience a 'burning' sensation in the chest or throat brought about by an upward movement (reflux) of stomach contents coming into contact with the lining of the esophagus. (the tube which connects the stomach to the throat) The medical condition is therefore known as Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease. (GERD) Two medical conditions co-exist and are the causes of heartburn:
A Retrograde Flow of Stomach Contents into the Esophagus
Here the reflux itself does not necessarily lead to GERD symptoms. It can even occur in healthy individuals.
Malfunction of the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES)
Here the reflux itself does not necessarily lead to GERD symptoms. It can even occur in healthy individuals.
Malfunction of the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES)
The lower esophageal sphincter acts as a valve between the esophagus and the stomach. In this second condition, the LES does not close perfectly and stomach contents move up into the esophagus. This condition is experienced as a persistent heartburn and will usually occur at least twice in one week!
Here are the tips:
Tip 1: Avoid Certain Foods And Watch Your Meal Size
Tip 1: Avoid Certain Foods And Watch Your Meal Size
High-fat foods (and in some instances, spicy and fried foods) take much longer to digest and are not so easily eliminated from the body. This increases the chances that acid will move upwards into the esophagus (acid reflux) and cause heartburn. This does not apply to omega-3 fatty acids contained in fish and fish oil. In fact these acids act as very powerful anti-inflammatory agents!
Chocolate is a food that can produce heartburn, taken either in solid form or as a beverage. It contains large amounts of caffeine and fat which may increase acidity. It is generally accepted that dark chocolate is less likely to cause the condition providing it is eaten in small quantities.
Mints such as peppermint and spearmint can enhance acid reflux symptoms, so it is best to avoid foods that contain strong mints. (including mint-based herbal teas)
Overeating is one of the causes of heartburn. If you are unable to identify a particular food as being responsible, then meal size could well be the problem. When the stomach is full to capacity, acid content has a tendency to move upwards into the lower regions of the esophagus or even the throat. This can then cause a 'burning' sensation. Many people experience heartburn after a large meal.
Tip 2: Avoid Certain Beverages
How do we know what to do for heartburn if our eating habits do not appear to be causing the problem? Let us take a look at the beverages we consume.
Coffee and other drinks containing caffeine can lead to increased acidity.
Alcohol can irritate the stomach. It has a tendency to relax and therefore open the lower esophageal sphincter muscle, allowing acid to reflux into the esophagus.
Drinking milk and milk-based products is practised very often as a home-based remedy for curing heartburn. Unfortunately, the calcium in milk makes the stomach produce more acid and whilst it can produce some short-term relief, milk consumption, particularly before retiring at night, can produce adverse effects in the long term!
Tip 3: Avoid Specifically Acidic Foods
Specifically acidic foods such as lemons, oranges, tomatoes and also vegetables such as cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, brussels sprouts, spinach and onions, promote the opening of the lower esophageal sphincter and therefore increase acid reflux.
Bonus Tip: Use A Holistic Approach To Cure Heartburn
For many people, taking prescription drugs can be ineffective, expensive and possibly dangerous! It is known, for example, that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) damage the lining of the stomach, so you may need to take medication to coat the stomach lining before taking one of these drugs.
Surgery is offered in very extreme cases of gastro esophageal reflux disease, but needs to be considered very carefully because it can compound some underlying conditions, for example stricture of the esophagus and motility disorders involving the movement of fluid.
Holistic therapy points to acid reflux disease being a warning sign for major internal imbalance that needs to be properly addressed. Alternate approaches such as homeopathic remedies, herbal remedies and lifestyle changes as part of a complete holistic course of treatment, are now seen by many as by far the best way of treating and curing acid reflux disease.
