Heartburn Causes - How Do I Treat Heartburn?
Heartburn is one of the most common symptoms of acid reflux disease. Learn about its causes and what you can do to stop heartburn without medication! Heartburn Causes - How Do I Treat Heartburn? Heartburn occurs when stomach acids back up into the esophagus. It often feels like burning pain in the chest, throat, or neck. The condition usually goes away on its own after a few days, although it can last for weeks or months. Know the Causes of Heartburn. There are several different reasons why people develop heartburn. One reason is that the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) u2014 the muscle at the bottom of the esophagus that keeps food from going down into the stomach u2014 does not work properly. Another cause is that the LES relaxes too much during digestion, allowing stomach juices to flow backward into the esophagus instead of staying in the stomach. Heartburn occurs when acid d refluxes back into the esophagus and causes pain. The most common symptoms include chest pain, burning sensation, regurgitation, nausea, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing. If you suffer from frequent bouts of heartburn, consult your doctor immediately. Understand the Symptoms of Heartburn. If you suffer from heartburn, there are some things you should know. First, heartburn is caused by an excess of gastric acid. This occurs when the stomach produces more than normal amounts of hydrochloric acid. Second, heartburn usually happens after eating a meal. Third, heartburn often goes away within 30 minutes. Fourth, heartburn is not dangerous. However, if you have severe heartburn, you should see your doctor. The first thing you should know about heartburn is that it is caused by an excess amount of gastric acid. When you eat, the stomach releases hydrochloric acid into the esophagus. This causes the lining of the esophagus to become irritated. As a result, you feel pain in the chest area. You may also notice burning sensations in the throat. These symptoms usually go away within 30 minutes. If you experience frequent episodes of heartburn, you should talk to your doctor. He or she may recommend taking antacids or other medications to relieve the discomfort. Acid Reflux Disease (GERD) You should also see your doctor if you notice any of these signs of GERD: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss, fatigue, shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, hoarseness, sore throat, fever, chills, headache, dizziness, or fainting. Hiatus Hernia If you have been diagnosed with hiatal hernia (a condition where part of the stomach protrudes into the esophagus), then you need to seek treatment as soon as possible. This will help prevent further complications such as bleeding, infection, or even death. Ulcer There are several ways to treat ulcers, including medications, surgery, and lifestyle changes. Medications used to treat ulcers include antacids, histamine blockers, proton pump inhibitors, and H2 receptor antagonists. Surgery is also sometimes recommended, especially when medication isn't effective. Lifestyle changes include eating smaller meals more frequently, avoiding spicy foods, drinking plenty of water, and avoiding alcohol. Other Conditions If you're having symptoms of heartburn, talk with your doctor. He or she will likely ask questions about your medical history and perform tests to determine what's causing your discomfort. Avoid Certain Foods That Cause Heartburn. If you suffer from heartburn, avoid certain foods that can trigger an attack. Try eating smaller meals more frequently throughout the day instead of three large meals. Also, eat less fat and fewer calories than usual. This will reduce the number of times you need to use antacids. Heartburn occurs when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus. The most common cause of heartburn is overeating, which causes too much acid to be produced. Other factors include stress, smoking, alcohol consumption, caffeine, spicy foods, and medications. How To Treat Heartburn Naturally Several natural remedies can help relieve heartburn. One of the easiest ways to treat heartburn is by drinking plenty of water. Water helps keep stomach acids under control and reduces the frequency of heartburn attacks. You should also try avoiding spicy foods, fatty foods, caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco. If you suffer from frequent bouts of heartburn, then you know how painful it can be. The pain usually comes on suddenly, lasting anywhere from 30 seconds to two minutes. When you feel a burning sensation, you should immediately drink some water. Drinking enough water will help reduce the amount of acid in your stomach. In addition, you should avoid eating spicy foods, fatty foods (like fried chicken), coffee, alcohol, and cigarettes. If you suffer from heartburn, several natural remedies can help relieve symptoms. One of the easiest ways to treat heartburn is to avoid foods that contain large amounts of acid, such as citrus fruits, tomatoes, coffee, alcohol, chocolate, and carbonated beverages. You should also try to eat smaller meals more frequently throughout the day. Avoid spicy foods and fatty foods, which tend to make heartburn worse. If you suffer from heartburn, there are several things you can do to help relieve the symptoms. First, avoid foods that cause heartburn, such as fatty foods, fried foods, alcohol, coffee, tea, and chocolate. Second, drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your stomach hydrated. Third, try taking antacids before bedtime to prevent heartburn at night. Fourth, avoid lying down immediately after eating. Finally, avoid sleeping on your back. How Can You Prevent Heartburn? There are some things you can do to prevent heartburn. First, drink plenty of water each day. This will keep your stomach hydrated and help reduce the amount of acid produced by your stomach. Second, avoid eating too much in one sitting. Try to eat small portions of food throughout the day instead of three big meals. Third, avoid lying down after eating. Lying down for an extended period of time can cause your stomach to stretch out, increasing the likelihood of heartburn. Finally, avoid smoking and drinking alcohol. These habits can irritate your esophagus and lead to heartburn. Identify the Best Treatment Options. There are several ways to treat heartburn without medication. You can try avoiding foods that cause heartburn, such as fatty foods, spicy foods, caffeine, alcohol, chocolate, citrus fruits, tomatoes, and carbonated beverages. You can also try taking antacids. Antacids contain aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, or combinations of these ingredients. These medications help neutralize the acid in your stomach. Finally, you can take prescription drugs. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are the most commonly prescribed type of drug for treating heartburn. PPIs work by blocking the production of acid in the stomach. They are available in generic forms and brand names.
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