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Heartburn Help: Top 20 Tips
Heartburn occurs when a muscular valve, called the lower espophageal
sphincter functions improperly, which allows stomach acid to back up
into the esophagus. This tube, which leads from the stomach to the
throat can be greatly effected by stomach acid, causing a burning,
painful sensation in this area. Lack of proper enzymes are also a
cause. Heartburn, indigestion, acid reflux are all usually defined by
a vague chest or abdominal discomfort or burning in the solar plexus
area, with no apparent organic cause, that occurs during or soon
after eating, drinking, or stressful situations.
About 20% of all adults get heartburn at least once a month. Between
5% -15% of adults have severe heartburn. About 25% of pregnant women
have daily heatburn and 50% have heartburn at least once a month.
There are two sphincter muscles located in the esophagus. The upper
esophageal sphincter and lower esophageal sphincter. Underlying
conditions that could possibly be the cause of heartburn include:
GERD or Gastroesophageal reflux disease, also referred to as acid
reflux disease, occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter does not
close properly and stomach contents back up or reflux into the
esophagus. This condition can damage the lining of the esophagus,
causing such problems as ulceration and even esophageal cancer. Do
get a doctor's or practitioner's opinion to see if further treatment
is necessary. If you have asthma, this may be an underlying cause of
GERD. It has been found that asthmatics are twice as likely to have
GERD as non-asthmatics. Obesity seems to increase the risk of GERD.
Research documented in the Annals of Internal Medicine show that as
body fat increases, so did symptoms of GERD.
Gastroparesis is a delay in the gastric emptying of the stomach. This
delay causes the contents of the stomach to back up into the
esophagus.
Hiatal Hernia occurs when the upper part of the stomach pushes
through an opening in the diaphragm causing reflux of stomach acid.
Peptic Ulcers in the stomach are considered gastric ulcers or stomach
ulcers. Duodenal ulcers occur in the duodenum. Both of these types of
ulcers are referred to as peptic ulcers and can be an underlying
cause of heartburn.
Laryngopharyngeal Reflux occurs when the upper esophageal sphincter
doesn't function properly. Acid will flow into the throat. When this
occurs, it is referred to LGR.
Pregnancy is also an underlying of cause of heartburn, even if a
woman has never experienced this before she was pregnant.
Observe episodes of indigestion for changes in symptoms. If
character, timing, frequency or severity changes, a more serious
disorder may be responsible. These include heartburn from irritation
of the lower esophagus, gallbladder disease, ulcers or stomach
cancer.
Heartburn symptoms in some people can cause chronic cough, asthma,
wheezing or choking.
Heartburn at night appears to be worse than heartburn during the day.
According to research in The Chest Journal, people have more trouble
sleeping at night because of the pain they experience from the
heartburn. Acid stays in the esophagus longer when one lies flat.
Although food is not the root cause of heartburn, it can aggravate
the situation. Foods such as onions, garlic, tomatoes, chocolate,
peppermint, citrus fruits, alcohol, soda, coffee and fatty foods can
worsen heartburn symptoms. A bland diet will not cure heartburn.
Aspirin and Ibuprofen can aggravate heartburn.
Top 20 Tips for Helping Heartburn:
1. Over all lifestyle changes. Stress can aggravate this situation.
2. Change in diet can greatly decrease symptoms. (See foods above).
Write down what you eat in a heartburn journal in order to identify
which foods trigger pain.
3. Allow time for leisurely meals. Chew food carefully and
thoroughly. Avoid conflicts during meals.
4. Avoiding refined carbohydrates (sugar, white rice, white bread),
even honey & other "natural" sugars, except Stevia. Reduce acid
production so that even if the reflux occurs there is less to
irritate the esophagus.
5. Eat small frequent meals so pressure in the stomach does not push
contents back up.
6. Do not eat late at night. Allow several hours of digestion time
before laying down. Acid stays in the esophagus longer when one lies
flat. Stay propped up at least 30-45 degrees after eating or drinking
& while sleeping. By placing 2 in. blocks under the two legs of your
bed at the headboard, can helped tremendously!
7. Avoid caffeine for a while.
8. Peppermint, which helps many digestive problems, can irritate
reflux because it may cause spasms of the cardiac valve.
9. Avoid excitement or exercise immediately after a meal. Avoid
situations that make you swallow air, such as exercising with your
mouth open (breathing through your mouth) or chewing gum.
10. Learn relaxation techniques such as meditation, yoga, controlled
breathing and stress reduction.
11. At first sign of heartburn, drink a large glass of water.
12. Antacids are an over the counter medicine that relieves heartburn
temporarily by neutralizing stomach acid. Dependence on antacids are
dangerous. They can mask serious problems if symptoms persist.
Antacids can also interact with certain prescription drugs and HIV
medications. Check with your pharmacist or doctor.
13. Stop Smoking. Chemicals in cigarette smoke can weaken the lower
espophageal sphincter and worsen heartburn.
14. If you have a juicer, juice a raw potato, peel and all, then add
an equal part of water to the juice and drink it immediately after
preparation, 3 times a day.
15. Fresh papaya and its seeds (or Papaya tablets) can be eaten to
help with digestion.
16. Plant-based enzymes and probiotics can be very beneficial and
should be taken daily. The enzymes in pineapple are also good for
digestion but, this is an acidic fruit and for some people is not the
right choice. It depends on the individual.
17. Aloe Vera juice is incredible for healing of the intestinal
tract.
18. Vitamin B complex, 50 mgs, 3 times daily with meals is needed for
proper digestion.
19. Plus 200 mcg of Vitamin B 12, 3 times daily will enhance the
Vitamin B complex.
20. Acupressure massage. At the first sign of heartburn, massage the
acupressure points between your solar plexus and navel. Massage these
point first, gently in a clockwise motion and then slowly work
deeper. This can actually relieve heartburn pressure and pain for
months! Also, acupuncture works very well in treating heartburn and
other gastrointestinal issues. There is a wonderful Chinese herbal
remedy, which is a modified version of a Classical Chinese formula
that is brilliant when it comes to treating heartburn.
Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac
Peacefulmind.com
Therapies for healing
mind, body, spirit
References
1. Annals of Internal Medicine
2. Chest
3. The Cleveland Clinic
4. The National Institute of Health
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