Millions of people experience heartburn, also referred to as acid reflux.
The most frequently used treatment for acid reflux involves medications. However, some lifestyle modifications can reduce the symptoms of heartburn and improve the quality of life. Top Gastroenterologists of SMILES helps you in understanding more about heartburn & provides natural ways to manage it.
Heartburn is a painful burning sensation in your chest or throat. It happens when the contents of your stomach back up into the esophagus through the mouth. Heartburn can be triggered by eating certain foods, particularly spicy, fatty or acidic foods. And, the other common causes of heartburn include being overweight, smoking, pregnancy, stress and anxiety.
Frequent or prolonged heartburn can develop into a condition called Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or GERD. This is the most common digestive disorder that affects the lower esophageal sphincter (LES).
9 Home Remedies to Manage Heartburn
What can you do when suffering from heartburn? The following natural remedies help reduce or prevent heartburn.
1. Lose Weight
Excess pounds put pressure on your abdomen, pushing up your stomach acid back into your esophagus. Therefore, losing weight should be one of your priorities to control heartburn.
2. Wear Looser Clothing
Tight-fitting clothing puts pressure on the abdomen. So, wear loose-fitting clothes and encourage proper digestive function that prevents acid reflux.
3. Avoid foods that trigger heartburn
Everyone has specific triggers. Avoid foods that promote heartburn or acid reflux including fried and fatty foods, spicy foods, caffeine, chocolate, alcohol, and carbonated beverages.
4. Avoid eating late night
Eating two to three hours before going to bed is essential in managing heartburn. At a minimum, you should wait at least one hour to lie down after eating.
5. Eat smaller meals
Avoid eating larger meals as acid reflux usually occurs after having meals, and large meals may worsen the symptoms of heartburn says experts of Gastroenterology.
6. Elevate your bed
Lift the head of your bed (by placing cement blocks under the feet of bed) to 6 to 8 inches or use a wedge pillow that allows gravity to reduce heartburn symptoms.
7. Quit smoking
Smoking increases the risk of heartburn as it weakens the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), muscles between the esophagus and stomach.
8. Apple Cider Vinegar
Swallowing about a teaspoon of unprocessed apple cider vinegar mixed with water help reduce the acidity level in the stomach and alleviate heartburn.
9. Chew gum
Chewing sugar-free gum for half an hour after meals stimulate saliva production and swallowing that helps reduce acid levels in the esophagus.
Tried the above home remedies and still having frequent heartburn? Consult our best gastroenterologists in Bangalore at SMILES. We also provide multiple treatments including medications & minimally invasive surgery for acid reflux.
