Ann Gabriel | Vigorbuddy
Have you ever experienced a burning sensation on your chest and throat with a slightly bitter taste that lingers in your mouth?
If yes, chances are, you suffered from heartburn.
One of the causes of horrible heartburns are spicy and fatty foods, but other than that, a lot of people don’t actually know the other causes of this dreaded painful sensation.
A heartburn is not a health condition, it’s simply a symptom.
A heartburn is simply an acid reflux.
Heartburn is just a symptom of it. Other symptoms may include sore throat, dry cough, swallowing difficulties, or a sour acid-type of liquid.
When you experience acid reflux all the time, chances are you have GERD. Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, is a digestive disorder that affects the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the ring of muscle between the esophagus and stomach. Many people, including pregnant women, suffer from heartburn or acid indigestion caused by GERD.
When you are experiencing heartburn several times in a week, it is recommended that you see a doctor immediately.
Here are 5 healthy tips that you need to do to avoid heartburn
1. STOP DRINKING LOADS OF COFFEE.
There are two main causes of acid reflux,. Hiatal hernia, a condition wherein the upper part of your stomach pushes up into your chest cavity, or a trigger that relaxes the sphincter muscle in your esophagus that normally blocks stomach acid from rising back up your throat.
Certain foods and behaviors can relax the sphincter muscle.
Caffeinated foods and drinks—like coffee, tea, and even chocolate—are the usual suspects.
2. AVOID TOO MUCH BOOZE OR NICOTINE
Alcohol and tobacco have a dehydrating effect on our mouth. This dehydrating effect on the mouth increases the chance of us having heartburns.
A night of booze and cigarettes, may just be the cause of heartburn.
Experts believe both alcohol and tobacco affects the pressure on your lower esophageal sphincter.
3. STOP CHEWING PEPPERMINT GUM.
Stop chewing gum. Like caffeine, peppermint also relaxes the sphincter muscle that keeps your stomach acid at bay.
Anything that contains peppermint oil—teas, candies, and desserts—could be the culprit. Keeping a journal of your food consumption with the objective of identifying which of your intake is triggering heartburns.food diary is a good way to identify triggers.
4. REFRAIN FROM NIGHTTIME SNACKING.
Late night or midnight snacking is a no-no for heartburn prone people. You need to have at least two hours of awake time after dinner before going to sleep.
Gravity makes things bad for acid reflux sufferers. Stomach acid washes back up on our esophagus when we lie flat on our backs.
5. SAY NO TO SECONDS.
One plate of dinner food is enough. Over-eating produces much more stomach acid than what is required.
The more food that you eat, the longer it takes to digest it, and move the acid, to your intestines.
The body produces a lot of acid and is not moving to the small intestine.
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