How To Stop Heartburn
Six easy tips – We all enjoy eating and it is a necessary part of life and can also be an activity that is very social. However, for people who suffer from heartburn acid reflux this enjoyment can come at a price.
Soon after eating they know that they will experience pain and discomfort. But this does not have to be the case you can follow some very simple tips that will show you how to stop heartburn from occurring.
Tip 1 — Eat More Frequently But In Smaller Portions
One of the triggers for heartburn can be overeating. So instead of eating the traditional way – three main meals a day and two snacks — try eating six smaller meals throughout the day. By eating smaller portions your body can digest the food more easily. Also do be sure not to eat close to bed time and have your last meal about two to three hours before going to bed.
Tip 2 — Lose Some Weight
I know that losing weight can be a challenge, but if you are overweight and suffer from heartburn this could be the best heartburn cure for you.
You see the excess weight around your middle can cause pressure on your stomach after eating which will cause heartburn.
But do be sensible in your weight loss and avoid fad diets as these don’t work they can actually do you more harm than good. If in doubt, consult with your doctor.
Tip 3 — Avoid Eating High Fat Meals
Fried and fatty food is something that many of us enjoy but these types of food cause heartburn. The reason for this that the fats are thought to weaken the lower oesophageal sphincter muscle, thus allowing the stomach acids back up into the esophagus.
This muscle would under normal circumstances close the opening to the stomach and hold the stomach acids back.
Tip 4 — Avoid Foods That Cause Heartburn
- Citrus fruits and juices
- Tomatoes and tomato based products
- Pepper
- Capsicum and chilli pepper
All of the above can trigger heartburn to varying degrees. If you find that one or all of these trigger heartburn in you reduce the amount that you consume or stop eating them altogether if you are extremely sensitive.
Tip 5 — Limit or Avoid Carbonated Drinks
These can cause bloating and pressure that will result in heartburn. So limit the amount that you consume. You will soon be able to work out how much you can drink before you get signs of acid reflux.
Tip 6 — Keep Chewing Gum Handy
Did you know that chewing gum –avoid the ones with peppermint and spearmint ones — are an effective way to avoid triggering heartburn acid reflux. By chewing gum for about 30 minutes after a meal you are producing saliva and this will counteract with the stomach acids and help prevent heartburn.
Most chewing gums also contain baking soda which is a natural heartburn remedy.
By following these tips to on how to help and get rid of heartburn you will be feeling better. But if you find that none of these are helping you may have a medical condition that is causing your heartburn. So you should consult with your doctor and let them know the steps that you have taken to try and get rid of heartburn and with this knowledge they can offer you other methods of heartburn relief.