Heartburn Treatment: Dos and Don’ts

Your chest and throat will burn when you have heartburn. Your diet, especially foods that are fatty, acidic, or spicy, may cause it. Heartburn may occasionally be a sign of gastroesophageal reflux illness (GERD). There are several possible causes for this chronic illness. Heartburn is uncomfortable and painful, regardless of the cause.

Why have I never experienced heartburn before, but I do now?

If you have only recently started experiencing heartburn and you have not made any significant dietary or lifestyle changes, there may be additional causes for your heartburn that could emerge over time. For instance:

• Aging: Due to the weakening of your muscles, including your lower esophageal sphincter, heartburn may start or get worse as you age.
• Gaining weight: The majority of people gain weight gradually. But when you are over a certain threshold, symptoms of weight gain, including heartburn, can suddenly arise.
• Medications: Ask your doctor whether any new or modified drugs you have recently taken could be contributing to your acid reflux symptoms.

Treat Heartburn

Don’t Overindulge in Citrus

Oranges, lemons, and grapefruits are just a few examples of citrus fruits that are acidic and irritating to the digestive system. These foods’ additional acidity exacerbates reflux and increases heartburn.

Note that orange juice, lemonade, grapefruit juice, and goods prepared with citrus fruit liquids, such as some marinades, will have the same negative effect. To meet your daily fruit requirements, pick fruits that are less acidic.

Avoid Oily, Fatty Doods

Fried, oily, and fatty foods can all result in reflux and induce heartburn because they inhibit the lower esophageal sphincter from closing completely, which leaves a gap for stomach acids to pass through. Foods that are heavier and greasier are likewise harder to digest.

This results in slower stomach emptying and the possibility of heartburn. Also, consuming an excessive amount of fried and high-fat foods increases your risk of being obese. This in turn raises your likelihood of suffering from painful acid reflux.

Pass on the Alcohol

You should put alcoholic beverages on your list of potential causes of burning sensation in the heart because they aggravate the stomach and esophagus. Avoid or limit your consumption of alcoholic beverages, such as wine, beer, and hard liquor, if they irritate your stomach. Also, avoid if it gives you heartburn in order to prevent or lessen the risk of reflux.

Avoid Drinking Coffee and Soda

Any kind of carbonated liquid, including soda, is irritating and probably causes heartburn. Even decaffeinated coffee frequently causes heartburn in certain people. If you want to prevent acid reflux, stay away from these beverages.

Also, prevent any others that include caffeine. As reflux is more common at night time or when you’re lying down, try to take your daily caffeine fix first thing in the morning or early in the day.

Stay Away from Spicy Foods

Meals with a hot, spicy flavor may give fire to your diet, but when you get heartburn, you will feel that kick searing in your chest once more. Some people can tolerate spicy foods that contain a range of chile peppers and related compounds like cayenne pepper.

But they cause heartburn in certain people. Try reducing the number of spices in your home-cooked meals, and always inquire about the spices involved in the dishes you order when dining out.

Do Consume Only Protein and Low-Fat Foods

The easiest method for discovering what foods to prevent is keeping a list of the items that worsen your heartburn. Make a list of products that support health right now.

To lessen reflux, try to center your meals around lean, healthy protein options and low-fat foods. Strive for a diet high in nutritious grains, fresh produce, and lean meats like lean chicken and fish.

How Can I Manage Heartburn by Making Changes in My Lifestyle?

To lessen the risk of acid reflux:

• Throughout the day, eat smaller meals. Your stomach will produce less acid when there is less to digest.
• Lose your belt. The pressure inside the belly helps with reflux. Thus, it is beneficial to lose weight.
• Avoid having a full stomach before night. Before you lie down, wait three to five hours.
• Lie on your bed with your left side. This places your lower esophageal sphincter in a space above the contents of your stomach. The valve is submerged while you are on your right side or back.
• Avoid the trigger foods. Keep track of the foods and beverages that aggravate your heartburn.
• Give up smoking. Heartburn is one of the many benefits of giving up smoking. Your provider may assist you with this.

Outlook

Many over-the-counter medications and lifestyle changes may relieve heartburn symptoms. Moreover, changing your regular routine might also aid in avoiding the onset of its symptoms. See your doctor if you get heartburn more frequently than twice or three times each week. They may occasionally recommend drugs or other therapies.