Acid Reflux and Heartburn

When you feel your chest burning is called "Heartburn". It is caused by stomach acid and when it reaches the throat it is called "Acid Reflux". If not treated and keeps happening, it's called gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD).

 

Here are the symptoms of acid reflux for you to check.

Heartburn is the burning sensation in the center of your chest which is an unpleasant sour taste caused by stomach acid. Which may cause the following:

 

Chronic cough and/or hiccups

• A hoarse voice
• Bad breath
• Feeling sick and bloating
• And mostly it worsens after eating, you will feel it when lying down and when bending over.

 

Here are the causes of heartburn and acid reflux

There is an obvious reason why lots of people get heartburn from time to time.

 

• Certain food or/and drink, here is the list of common foods that trigger acid reflux: coffee, tomatoes, alcohol, chocolate, and fatty or spicy foods
• Overweight
• Stress and/or anxiety
• Smoking
• Being pregnant

 

Know that increase in some types of hormones, such as progesterone and estrogen

some medicines, such as anti-inflammatory painkillers (like ibuprofen)

a hiatus hernia – when part of your stomach moves up into your chest.

 

Here are the Do's and Don't to ease heartburn and acid reflux yourself

 

Do's

• Eat more frequent meals.
• Eat smaller meals.
• When sleeping raise the head end of your bed by 10 to 20cm.
• When sleeping makes sure that your chest and head are above the level of your waist.
• Lose or maintain healthy body weight.
• Always find ways to relax or avoid stress.

 

Dont's

• Avoid food and drinks that trigger heartburn and acid reflux.
• Avoid or don't eat within 3 or 4 hours before bed.
• Don't wear tight around your waist clothes.
• Stop smoking.
• Minimize or stop drinking too much alcohol.
• Never take prescribed medicine without speaking to your doctor.

 

Despite its name but heartburn has nothing to do with your heart. It is rather a burning sensation in your chest that occurs when stomach acid backs up into your esophagus.

 

Remember that if acid reflux hits, it usually lasts for a few minutes or as long as several hours. At this moment you will feel very uncomfortable and for sure you will look for ways to get rid of the feeling fast.

 

Try These Home Remedies To Ease Heartburn

 

Chew A Gum

Having enough saliva production works to help reduce heartburn since saliva can help promote swallowing in which chewing gum is a great partner for this! Also, it can help keep acid down. Good saliva production means better neutralizing the stomach acid that's refluxed into your esophagus.

 

Ripe Banana

The banana contains high potassium which makes it a great alkaline food according to experts. This food may help counteract the stomach acid irritating your esophagus.

 

Take note that if the banana is unripe has less alkaline, and also has heavy starch it which may cause or trigger acid reflux for some people. But other alternatives that may help offset heartburn include melons, cauliflower, fennel, and nuts.

 

Have A Record Of What You Eat That Triggers

There are certain foods and drinks can trigger acid reflux and heartburn. You can identify what certain foods mostly gives you the symptoms of acid reflux, and when you identified them keep a record or log. In these ways, you can easily avoid foods and drinks whenever possible.

 

Eat At Proper Time

Eating before bedtime and before exercising can trigger heartburn and acid reflux. When lay down with a full stomach can trigger acid reflux and make heartburn. So don't eat within 3 hours of your bedtime so your stomach has plenty of time to empty. And also rest or wait for at least two hours before exercising.

 

Control Your Appetite

Watching and controlling the portion sizes at meals can go a long way in preventing heartburn. If your stomach is having pressure due to a large amount of food in it will put more pressure on the valve that keeps stomach acid out of your esophagus, which causes id reflux and heartburn more likely. Know that if you are prone to heartburn, eating smaller meals is commendable. Because eating quickly can also trigger heartburn so be sure to slow down and take time to chew food and drink beverages.

 

Sleep Position

Take note that elevating your head and chest higher than your feet as you sleep can help prevent and ease acid reflux and heartburn. Also do not pile pillows, this is not effective and it can worsen the symptoms. In addition to this try sleeping on your left side as it can help your digestion and may work to limit stomach acid reflux.

 

Loose Cloth

Did you know that tight-fit clothing, especially a tight belt that squeezes your belly may be contributing to your symptoms? So if you are prone to heartburn wear loose clothes.

 

Have A Massage

According to a preliminary trial, massage does help to ease acid reflux by massaging the connective tissue surrounding the diaphragm could significantly reduce acid reflux for people with gastroesophageal reflux disease. Also, massage is a good source of relaxation which prevent and relieve heartburn by reducing abdominal pressure. Because stress can increase sensitivity to refluxed acid, reduce pain thresholds and increase the frequency and severity of heartburn symptoms.

 

The good news is that you can have the relaxing benefits of massage at home. Medcursor Noise Machine and Medcursor Portable Heating Pad are the perfect combinations to give you a good quality sleep, so when you wake up in the morning with positivity!

 

MEDCURSOR
Feel better, Move better, Be better