What is Heartburn and How to Quickly Treat It

The temporary burning sensation felt in the chest, throat and sometimes the neck, is one of the most common conditions known as heartburn. It is caused due to the acidic stomach contents reaching up the esophagus. Usually it is felt soon after having a meal, and it manifests itself as a burning sensation in the chest area that can sometimes be accompanied by a sour or acidic taste in the mouth. Heartburn is very common, with an estimated 60 million people in the US alone suffering from it, at least once every month.

Causes and Risk Factors of Heartburn

There are several causes which are linked to heartburn and the resultant acid reflux. The main one are eating certain types of foods that increase acid production in the stomach. These include, food and beverages that are spicy and fried, acidic fruits, caffeine and chocolate. Other causes include lying down after a meal or eating too large portions, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking and being overweight. Moreover, pregnancy can also trigger indigestion.

Quick Treatments and Remedies

Although in some cases, medications may be necessary, in most cases a few simple changes in lifestyle can really help in reducing symptoms of heartburn. In fact, making a few small changes in your diet, coupled with lifestyle changes, can be more effective than medication. Here show a few simple remedies to effectively treating heartburn:

•Avoid lying down soon after a meal.

•Eat smaller portions and do not overeat.

•Include food items that are high in fiber, like fresh vegetables and fruits, whole grains and legumes in your diet.

•Include probiotic food like yogurt, kefir and fermented vegetables, in your diet, to reduce the risk of heartburn.

•Drink lots of water between meals and limit the intake of coffee, tea and alcoholic beverages.

•Do not consume spicy, sour and deep-fried food, and instead, opt for those that are grilled or steamed.

•Eat slowly and chew your food properly, in order to aid digestion.

•Maintain a healthy weight and engage in physical activity to reduce symptoms.

•Elevate the head of your bed a few inches in order to reduce the risk of acid reflux and heartburn.

•Quit smoking if you have the habit, as nicotine can weaken the valve located between the esophagus and stomach.

Apart from lifestyle changes, certain herbal remedies may also provide some relief from the burning sensation and irritation due to heartburn. Herbs like chamomile, cinnamon, fresh ginger and peppermint can be consumed daily to reduce symptoms.

Natural Remedies for Heartburn

Heartburn can be effectively treated with natural remedies and lifestyle modifications. Adopting healthy habits like quitting smoking and avoiding certain foods such as citrus fruits, tomato and fatty foods, can really reduce chances of suffering from a heartburn attack. Additionally, certain herbal remedies like chamomile, peppermint, cinnamon and ginger natural are considered to be very effective in treating heartburn. Changing a few of your habits can quickly relieve symptoms of heartburn and can even help in preventing it from recurring in the future.