The burning feeling you may get in your chest is actually referred to as heartburn and is due to acids from the stomach flowing back into the oesophagus.
If the stomach acid regurgitates to the oesophagus it causes irritation and pain and this is referred to as heartburn.
This condition, however, while not serious in many cases, can cause some discomfort.
Fortunately, there are a lot of home remedies that may be employed to decrease the incidence of heartburn. Mykare Health is here to give you an idea of some of the best home remedies when it comes to the situation of heartburns.
Dietary Modifications
a. Avoid Trigger Foods: Some of the foods that cause heartburn include; Spicy foods, garlic, junk foods, citrus fruits, tomatoes, carrots, alcohol, chocolate, and peppermint.
b. Eat Smaller, More Frequent Meals: And many a time, such large portions and portions that are consumed at once put a lot of pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which is a muscle that opens up and leads to the stomach and also prevents food from moving back up into the oesophagus. This pressure can however be prevented through the following guidelines such as regularly taking small meals at ease.
c. Avoid Eating Before Bedtime:c. Avoid Eating Before Bedtime: One of the main reasons is that laying down immediately after a meal may cause acid reflux. As for the frequency of meals, it is desirable to skip meals and go to bed 2-3 hours after dinner.
Lifestyle Changes
a. Elevate the Head of Your Bed: Raising the head of your bed by about 6-8 inches can help prevent stomach acid from rising into the oesophagus while you sleep. This can be done either by placing the blocks beneath the bedposts or the use of a wedge pillow.
b. Maintain a Healthy Weight: Obesity and overweight individuals or those who have more fats around their stomach area are likely to have acid reflux because the fats exert pressure on the stomach and the LES (lower esophageal sphincter). Considering that starvation is the shedding of pounds without exercising, losing weight through diet and exercise can effectively lessen heartburn symptoms.
c. Quit Smoking: decreases the function of LES and due to this, stomach acid gets to find it easier to push its way into the oesophagus. Smoking is a common cause that weakens the LES and may lead to severe cases of heartburn, but this vice can be eliminated through quitting, hence improving the situation.
d. Wear Loose-Fitting Clothes: Clothing, which is tight especially around the waist, tends to apply pressure to the stomach and consequently, push acid to the esophagus. Avoid these clothes for that reason and instead wear clothes that are a little loose.
Natural Remedies
a. Baking Soda: Sodium bicarbonate or otherwise known as baking soda is an antacid. Drinking a glass of water with adding a teaspoon of baking soda to it helps reduce the effect of stomach acids, offering heartburn relief for some time. However, this remedy should not be taken often as it comes along with side effects such as increased intake of sodium.
b. Aloe Vera Juice: Aloe vera juice can soothe the oesophagus and reduce inflammation. Drinking half a cup of aloe vera juice before meals can help prevent heartburn. Ensure that the juice is specifically prepared for internal use.
c. Apple Cider Vinegar: Although acidic, apple cider vinegar is believed to balance stomach acid levels and reduce heartburn. Mixing a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar with a glass of water and drinking it before meals can help.
d. Ginger: A substance found in ginger is anti-inflammatory and it can be helpful in cases of acid reflux. That is why having ginger with meals, ginger tea, or even just a small piece of ginger that can be chewed helps with heartburn.
e. Chewing Gum: Chewing gum helps in stimulating secretion of saliva that helps in getting rid of stomach acid and pushing it back into the stomach. Go for sugar free gum, this will help you over the concern of more calorie intake and other teeth related problems.
f. Licorice Root: Many forward-looking traditions have used licorice root for digestive complaints. DGL licorice supplements can build up a protective barrier on the lining of the oesophagus thus decreasing the effect of stomach acid.
Herbal Remedies
a. Chamomile Tea: It helps in the reduction of stomach inflammation as well as regulates the PH level of the stomach. Drinking chamomile tea before going to bed also has a soporific effect and strengthens sleep.
b. Slippery Elm: Slippery elm is a herb that can thicken the mucous lining of the stomach, creating a stronger barrier against acid. It can be taken as a tea, powder, or lozenge.
c. Marshmallow Root: Marshmallow root has mucilage, which can coat and protect the oesophagus. It can be consumed as a tea or taken in capsule form.