Heartburn is a painful, burning sensation just below the breastbone. The pain can rise in the chest and radiate to the neck and jaw. It can be so severe that heartburn is sometimes mistaken as a heart attack. It's caused by gastric acid regurgitating up from stomach into the esophagus. The esophagus is not designed to withstand the strong stomach acid and serious damage can occur. Repeated inflammation of the lining of the esophagus increases the risk of developing cancer of the esophagus. This article will discuss the steps you can take for heartburn prevention.
If heartburn pain persists, it is advisable to see a doctor. The information contained in this article is not a substitute for medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition.
Most medical evidence points to weight loss and elevation of the head of the bed as effective heartburn prevention.
Being overweight increases your risk of developing acid reflux disease. Exercise and weight loss can greatly reduce your incidences of heartburn. Being overweight causes an excessive amount of pressure in the abdomen which pushes the stomachs contents into the esophagus.
Elevating the head of the bed, also known as "positional therapy", is easy to accomplish. You can use plastic or wooden bed risers to support the bed posts at the head of the bed. Or easier still, use a bed wedge pillow. The height of elevation should be 6 to 8 inches. Some people have reported relief with higher degrees of elevation.
Certain foods are known to trigger heartburn. You should keep a food diary to determine which foods bother you.
Foods commonly reported to bring on the symptoms of heartburn include:
- Alcohol
- Coffee, tea, and other caffeinated beverages
- Carbonated beverages
- Chocolate
- Citrus fruits and juices
- Tomatoes and tomato sauces
- Spicy foods
- Peppermint and spearmint
- Peanuts
- Ice cream
The following have been reported to relieve heartburn:
- A spoonful of brown sugar
- A glass of water
- A glass of milk
- Chewing gum
- Sucking on hard candy
- Eating an apple
- Drinking tea made from grated ginger root
- Drinking tea made from fennel seed
- Eating a raw carrot or cucumber
- Eating pineapple or papaya (or drinking the juice)
Eating smaller more frequent meals will help relieve heartburn and help you lose weight. And as stated above losing weight is one of the major steps in preventing heartburn and acid reflux. Not chewing properly is a major contributor to acid indigestion. You should chew your food thoroughly before swallowing.
Heartburn can lead to the development of serious health risks. You can take your first steps in heartburn prevention by following the simple lifestyle changes outlined in this article.
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