Home Remedies For Heartburn

What Is Heartburn?

Home remedies for heartburn are as effective as prescription drugs. Heartburn results when acid from the stomach rises up onto the oesophagus. This results in a burning sensation in the throat which is accompanied by a sharp taste in the mouth followed by a lot of burping.

What Causes Heartburn?

Some common causes of heartburn include eating food too quickly. Consuming caffeinated, greasy and spicy foods, chocolate and sauces with a lot of cream also contribute to heart burn. Wolfing your food down results in contraction of the stomach sphincter and forces some food up the oesophagus. Eating just before you go to bed can lead to heartburn because as you lay down gravity forces the stomach acid up the oesophagus. Acidic drinks contribute to heartburn as the acids they contain add onto the stomach acid and causes discomfort. Eating when lying down and tight fitting clothes especially around the stomach area also pushes the acid up. Some medications like antacids can also cause heartburn.

What Foods Help Heartburn?

Various types of food and household supplies in your home can be utilized to bring this condition under control. Milk is a readily available reliever for heartburns. Since milk is an alkaline, it neutralizes the burning acid thus bringing instant heartburn relief. Yogurt eases the digestive process. For a fast home cure for heartburn, mix a table spoon of baking soda with some water and drink the solution. This works using the same principle as milk in that it neutralizes the stomach acid that is burning your oesophagus. It remains the most effective home remedy for heartburn, since unlike milk, it does not contain fats and proteins which stimulates the stomach to release more acid which soothes for a few minutes, then starts all over again. Other foods that are home antidotes for heartburn include almonds, pineapples and bananas.

Exercise Helps Heartburn

A short walk after meals is a simple and fun home treatment for heartburn as it helps with the digestion of foods. By moving the stomach muscles, this helps keep the stomach acid in the stomach. If you experience frequent heartburn, you should monitor your activities and find out what causes it.

Putting It All Together

First, you should start by keeping a food journal. Note the type of foods that lead to heartburn attack. Secondly, eat your food slowly and chew thoroughly. This is to make sure the food is well incorporated with saliva which is alkaline and will neutralize any stomach acid that is coming up. You should also exercise regularly to keep your stomach muscles taut as excess fat around the abdomen exerts pressure on the stomach thereby pushing the acid up. However, the exercise should be light and short like jogging or a brisk walk. Of course, you will be able to derive numerous benefits from exercising including boosting your metabolism which will in turn improve your entire digestive system. You should also avoid fatty foods in your diet since fat takes long to be digested and increases the amount of stomach acid.

The above article was written by Haliyma Barrow, a professional freelancer living in New York. Haliyma regularly covers articles on useful alternative medicine such as water therapy.