A Guide On How to Get Rid of Heartburn

Heartburn may be one nasty sensation that could ruin a hearty meal. It is a burning sensation often felt in the chest just beneath the breastbone. It is commonly and mistakenly associated with the heart as perceived from the name. It is actually caused by the reflux of gastric juices such as hydrochloric acid.

When this acid moves up the esophagus, it may burn the esophageal linings and cause the burning sensation or discomfort. The reflux of acid is due to the inappropriate release of the esophageal sphincter muscle. This muscle is supposed to hold food and acids inside the stomach but there are times that it slips up on the job and heartburn is one of the effects. Other symptoms of heartburn could be a sour taste in the mouth or at the back of the throat, difficulty swallowing foods and liquids, and chest pain when bending or lying down especially after eating.

There are a lot ways on how to get rid of heartburn and its symptoms. Some are medicinal and some are natural, so take your pick.

• Avoid foods that trigger your heartburn. A lot of individuals experience heartburn after the intake of alcohol, fried/oily/fatty foods, coffee, chocolate, spicy food, catsup, mustard and vinegar. Observe your diet and skip foods that you observed to always cause heartburn.

• Natural juices of mangoes, guavas, papayas and pears may soothe the stomach and ease the discomfort of heartburn. Eating a banana before a meal helps line the intestines thus protecting them from the damage and pain cause by acid reflux. Adding apples to your diet is also way on how to get rid of heartburn.

• Antacids are the usual remedy. It neutralizes the acids that the stomach makes. Most antacids may be purchased without a prescription since they are over-the-counter drugs. Antacids such as Maalox, Riopan, Mylanta and Tums provide instant relief from heartburn.

• Another medicinal way on how to get rid of heartburn is H2 blockers. Unlike antacids that neutralize the stomach acids, they slow down the production of acids in the stomach to relieve heartburn. Some H2 blockers may be bought without a prescription and they bring immediate relief from heartburn. Some over-the-counter H2 Blockers are Tagamet, Zantac, Pepcid and Axid.

• Proton Pump Inhibitors or PPI's are also effective drugs for heartburn relief. PPI's work by inhibiting an enzyme of the stomach's parietal cells by blocking the required proton pump in the last stage of its acid production thus inhibiting more acid production. Some of them are available as OTC drugs. Examples are Prilosec, Zegerid, Protonix and Prevacid.

• There are also natural ways on how to get rid of heartburn. One of these is the use of fresh juices from fruits such as mangoes, papayas, guavas, pears and bananas. These fruits soothe the stomach and give instant relief from the pain of heartburn.

• Drinking Ginger, Cinnamon, Sage and Chamomile teas are also popular ways to calm an acid-infested stomach and relieve the esophagus.

• One teaspoon of baking soda mixed with a glass of water is an easy and cheap alternative to antacid.
With all these ways on how to get rid of heartburn, it is still best to consult a physician once heartburn symptoms become to frequent and grave. Drinking the right dosage of the medicines and maintaining a balanced diet is still essential to keep a body free from any pain and discomfort.

Learn about the causes of heartburn and remedies for heartburn by visiting our website today!

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