Top Tips to Treat Heartburn
Heartburn is due to irritation of the esophagus, the tube that leads from the mouth to the stomach. The stomach lining is usually protected from the effects of its own acid, but certain factors, such as smoking, caffeine, aspirin, and stress, can cause this protection to be lost and gastritis to occur. The esophagus is not protected against acid, and a back flow of acid from the stomach into the esophagus and notice the sour and stinging taste in your mouth. A hiatus hernia aggravates the problem.
Heartburn episodes tend to increase in frequency and severity as we get older. Normally there is a valve between the stomach and the esophagus that keeps the stomach acid where it should be and prevents it from regurgitating upward. If the acid does go up a little, the swallowing waver that continually goes down through the esophagus carries the acid back down to the stomach where it belongs. The valve is situated right at the diaphragm muscle also helps keep the valve closed. As we age, several of these mechanisms don't work as well. The swallowing wave is somewhat weaker. The valve itself doesn't close as tightly. Often there has been some widening of the space in the diaphragm so that part of the stomach actually goes above the diaphragm and the diaphragm cannot help keep the valve closed. Heartburn y itself is an uncomfortable rather than a severe problem. Home treatment will usually help quite a bit.
Avoid substances that aggravate the problem. The most common irritants are coffee, teas, alcohol, aspirin, and ibuprofen. The contribution of smoking or stress must be considered. Relief is often obtained with a frequent use of nonabsorbent antacids like Maalox, Mylanta, or Gelusil. Antacids should be used with caution by people with heart disease or high blood pressure because of their high salt content. Low-fat milk may be substituted for antacid, but it adds calories.
If your heartburn episodes occur at night when you are lying down, then you need to get gravity to help you rather than hurt you. Measures that help prevent the back flow of acids from the stomach into the esophagus should be employed. Avoid reclining for at least two hours after eating. Elevate the head of the bed with four-inch to six-inch blocks. Discontinue wearing tight-fitting clothes if applicable. Weight loss also helps decrease the pressure on the stomach. If the problem lasts for more than three days, call your doctor.
Related Tags: heartburn, stomach, esophagus
Raymond Lee is one of the foremost experts in the health and fitness industry and is the Founder of Bodyfixes Group specializing in body health, muscle development and dieting. He is currently the author of the latest edition of "Neck Exercises and Workouts." Visit http://www.bodyfixes.com for more information.
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