TOP 15 HEARTBURN REMEDIES

Despite humouous commercials touting heartburn remedies with funny words like "plop-plop" and "fizz-fizz," heartburn is no joke. More than 60 million Americans suffer from it as least occasionally, according to the American College of Gastroenterology. Heartburn, also known as acid indigestion, occurs when acidic stomach juices flow backward into the esophagus, irritating the esophageal lining. The resulting pain can be uncomfortable, annoying or excruciating. You could also feel a bitter or acidic taste in the back of your throat or the awful sensation of food or liquid washing back into your mouth and down the gullet. In fact, frequent heartburn (two or more times a week) and food sticking in the throat are signs of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Untreated, these problems can lead to more serious problems, including strictures, ulcers, cancer and pneumonia. Before your heartburn goes from bad to dire, learn a few heartburn remedies that treat the symptoms.

1. UNDERSTAND CAUSES OF HEARTBURN AND GERD: Under normal circumstances, the valve between your esophagus and stomach acts as a gate to block stomach acid from traveling back into the esophagus. With GERD, the valve relaxes too much, allowing stomach contents to flow the wrong way.

2. EAT SMALL PORTIONS AND CHEW THEM SLOWLY: Large meals bring on large amounts of acid. Stuffing your stomach also adds abdominal pressure and increases acid reflux.

3. ADD MORE FIBER TO YOUR DIET: The more fiber you eat, the less likely you'll have GERD.

4. SEED OUT A FEW SPECIAL FOODS: A few specific fruits and vegetables serve as natural heartburn remedies. Apples, cranberries and cardamom can help heartburn. Blackberries are another go-to food, because they contain compounds that help heal the esophagus. Put carrots and kale on your list. Their beta-carotene and other nutrients can help repair acid-damaged tissue.

5. LISTEN TO YOUR SYMPTOMS: Studies show tha acidic and spicy foods don't appear to increase gastric acid. Nonetheless, some heartburn sufferers say that spicy foods, tomato products and citrus trigger problems. If that's your case, eliminate them from your diet on a trial. Otherwise, cutting them out robs you of some essential nutrients.

6. DROP A FEW POUNDS: Lugging extra weight increases abdominal pressure and strains the lower esophageal sphincter.

7. ACT LIKE A DETECTIVE: You're feeling the burn, but was it chocolate, coffee, mints, pizza or something else that triggered it? The foods and conditions that cause your pain probably aren't the ones affecting friends and neighbors. To find your triggers, keep a heartburn journal. Record symptoms, their severity and possible causes. Pinpoint what you ate or drank, how fast and the amount. Then look for trends.

8. FIND OUT IF MEDICATION IS TO BLAME: Both prescription and over-the-counter medications can affect the LES or increase acid production. Drugs that treat high blood pressure, asthma, inflammation and osteoporosis frequently fan the heartburn flame.

HEARTBURN DON'TS

1. DON'T REV UP ACID PRODUCTION: If you drink alcohol, stop. Give up red and black pepper and coffee for a few weeks to see if that brings relief.

2. DON'T SMOKE: As if you needed another reason to quit! smoking inhibits production of saliva, one of your body's natural protective barriers against insults to esophageal lining.

3. DON'T EAT AFTER-DINNER MINTS: Just say no to spearmint, peppermint and other foods that decrease LES function by triggering the release of hormones or affecting chemical pathways allowing the sphincter to relax and food to wash backward.

4. DON'T WEAR TIGHT CLOTHING: Squeezing into too tight clothing increases abdominal pressure, just like a large meal does.

5. DON'T EAT BEFORE BED: No lying down before digesting your meal. Finish eating 2-3 hours before snoozing.

6. DON'T COUNT ON MILK TO COAT YOUR STOMACH: Some heartburn remedies are old wives' tales - milk, for instance, actually causes your stomach to make more acid.

7. DON'T HESITATE TO SEEK MEDICAL HELP: Untreated GERD can lead to serious complications, such as bleeding, difficulty swallowing, obstruction of the esophagus, cancer, shortness of breath and throat hoarseness.

Many heartburn sufferers need more than lifestyle changes for relief. Your doctor can recommend prescription or over-the-counter medications. If the first drug doesn't relieve your discomfort, don't give up. Many drugs can solve your problem. For more information about heartburn and heartburn remedies, see your doctor and visit the websites of the American College of Gastroenterology and the National Heartburn Alliance.

source: www.lifescript.com