Most people who have eaten a spicy meal have experienced heartburn – but for many, the problem may be much more frequent than the occasional bout of indigestion. Frequent heartburn can also be a symptom of a more serious problem called Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or GERD. Acid reflux is caused by the regurgitation or reflux of acidic stomach contents into the esophagus, which connects the mouth and stomach. The symptoms of GERD include burning chest pain, regurgitation of bitter or sour liquid, difficulty swallowing and excessive clearing of the throat.
When GERD is not treated, serious complications can occur. If you are constantly reaching for the antacids at the end of the day, the following tips may help:
1. Don’t lie down after eating. When you lie down, it’s easier for stomach acid to back up into the esophagus, particularly when you go to bed with a full stomach. Make sure to wait at least three to four hours after eating before going to bed, and try raising the head of your bed.
2. Cut out problem foods. Chocolate, peppermint, tomato sauce, and fatty and spicy foods have all been proven to exacerbate the symptoms of heartburn. Making a point to eat smaller meals will also help curb potential heartburn problems.
3. Avoid smoking and excessive amounts of alcohol. Using tobacco and ingesting alcohol reduce the pressure on the muscle between the esophagus and the stomach, permitting acid reflux to occur.
GERD has a physical cause and may not be improved by lifestyle factors alone. If you are using over-the-counter medications two or more times a week or are still having symptoms on prescription or other medicines, you need to see your doctor. Persistent symptoms of heartburn and acid reflux should not be ignored.
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How to get rid of heartburn:
Fast
Water is a simple and affordable remedy for heartburn. A glass of clean warm water will naturally reduce acidity and reduce burning sensation. The main thing is to drink it while sitting or standing and not to go to bed after that.
Soda. Dissolve ½ teaspoon of soda in 200 ml of water, drink in small sips. Use soda only in emergency cases. Regular use harms the body. The use of soda for heartburn is contraindicated in pregnant and lactating women, as well as people suffering from arterial hypertension and chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Activated carbon is absolutely safe, even pregnant women can take it. It absorbs excess acid in the stomach, and heartburn stops. Just drink a couple of tablets with a glass of water. For greater effectiveness, crush 10 tablets, dissolve in 100-150 ml of milk and drink in one gulp. The only unpleasant consequence of using activated charcoal can be a change in the functioning of the intestine, so taking the drug is constantly undesirable.
Delicious
Almonds can neutralize gastric juice. If heartburn often comes to you, it will be useful to keep a bag of these beautiful nuts on hand. At approaches of burning to a throat eat 5-10 pieces, carefully chewing each. Heartburn will disappear in a couple of minutes.
Honey is famous not only for its ability to treat a sore throat, but also for its ability to eliminate stomach discomfort. To combat an attack, drink a glass of warm milk with a spoonful of honey dissolved in it.
Milk can be drunk without additives, especially if you do not like bee products. Only 100-200 ml will help to neutralize the increased acidity of the stomach.
Useful
Potato juice relieves a burning sensation and improves the general condition for gastritis with high acidity. It is absolutely safe even in late pregnancy. To prepare the potato fresh, rinse and peel the three tubers, grate them and squeeze the juice through cheesecloth. Let the juice brew for 2-3 minutes, but not longer so that oxidation does not begin. Fresh can be drunk in its pure form or diluted with other juices to improve the taste.
Chamomile tea can be prepared by pouring 3 tablespoons of dried flowers (sold at the pharmacy) with a glass of boiling water. Tea should be infused for 20 minutes before it can be drunk, so this treatment method cannot be called fast. However, it is the chamomile for prophylactic purposes that is advised to drink three times a day before meals. Only three weeks – and frequent attacks will no longer bother you.
Peppermint infusion. If there are signs of heartburn, pour a teaspoon of dried mint with a glass of boiling water and let the liquid cool slightly (or dilute with cool water). Drink warm infusion in small sips.
Heartburn Prevention
Burning in the throat will no longer bother you if you follow simple rules:
Eat less, but more often. Ideally, every 2-3 hours.
Limit your heartburn-provoking foods. Everything spicy, fatty, fried, sour, as well as garlic, raw onions, sour fruits and chocolate, is banned.
Limit your intake of alcohol, cigarettes, strong coffee, and tea: they irritate the lining of the stomach.
Do not bend or exercise immediately after eating.
To reduce the risk of heartburn in a dream, raise the head of the bed 10-15 cm or sleep on high pillows.
Try not to wear tight belts, bandages and corsets, pulling the abdomen.