Heartburn is often due to the strong reaction of gastric juices
to certain foods during the digestion process. Research has found that
approximately 60 million Americans are afflicted by the condition. Ten
million of these are adult sufferers who experience the condition
regularly. The primary cause of heartburn is acidity and indigestion. In
case you are experiencing the condition regularly, you may suffer from
fatigue and sleep disturbances as well.
Heartburn Relief
Although
heartburn is not considered as a serious condition, the symptoms of the
condition can still cause a lot of discomfort, such as the burning
feeling on the chest due to acid reflux. Chronic heartburn can also
result to hernia, ulcer and other digestive diseases. It can also wake
you up for a good sleep, which is why it is necessary to follow some
precautions or safety measures to prevent the condition. Some helpful
things that should be remembered when dealing with heartburn are the
following:
* Avoid drinking aerated drinks and consuming junk
foods. Take note that following a nutritious diet is necessary for
individuals suffering from heartburn conditions. In case you are
suffering from this condition, make sure that you avoid eating spicy
foods and junk foods, as well as drinking aerated drinks. These types of
products can increase the amount of acid in the stomach, thus leading
to a heartburn attack. Instead of these, it would be better to opt for
fresh greens and high fiber fruits, as these have lower acid contents.
* Avoid excessive cigarette smoking. Cigarette smoking can cause heartburn that is often characterized by pain in the chest.
*
Do some lifestyle changes. In order to relieve heartburn, there are
some lifestyle habits that you have to alter. If you are used to
sleeping after having a meal, this should be stopped immediately, as
sleeping or lying down immediately after eating can trigger a heartburn
attack.
* Go for a walk after having lunch or dinner instead of lying down.
*
Avoid overeating. Instead of following the traditional way of having
three large meals, it would be best to divide your meals to 5 to 6
smaller ones and consume it throughout the day.
* Stay on your left side when sleeping, as this is helpful in enhancing the digestion process.
* Consume your foods slowly and make sure to chew it properly.
*
Do regular exercises. There are times when heartburn is due to
excessive weight but this can be relieved by doing regular exercises.
However, make sure that you do not perform weightlifting exercises, as
these can add more pressure to the abdomen.
* Instead of wearing tight clothes, opt for loose ones to reduce the pressure on the abdomen.
* Drink lots of water in case you are suffering from acidity or indigestion problems.
* Keep the head elevated when sleeping.
*
Learn how to manage stress and anxiety, as both of these can also cause
heartburn attacks. You can manage stress and anxiety by doing
meditation exercises, such as yoga.
These are very simple tips
that you can easily follow in order to properly deal with heartburn
conditions. However, in case the condition is severe, it would be best
to consult a physician to diagnose the condition properly and determine
the right treatment for your heartburn condition.
