Six natural ways to combat heartburn

Friday, April 04, 2014 by: Mayimina
Tags: heartburn, acid reflux, natural remedies

(NaturalNews) Heartburn, which is not really related to the heart at all, is a widespread condition that occurs when a person experiences acid reflux. Acid reflux is when stomach acid, mixed with partially digested food or liquids, move into the throat and esophagus of a person, causing irritation.

More than 60 million people in America alone complain of having symptoms of heartburn at least once per week. While suffering from heartburn occasionally is not typically a cause for concern, long-term occurrences can lead to disorders of the digestive system. Regardless of its frequency, there are natural ways to find relief from this common health condition.

1. Become a gum chewer

When gum is chewed, more saliva is produced. This saliva is an alkali which can help neutralize the acids from foods that are regurgitated and thus reduce the burning that is often one of the most miserable symptoms of heartburn.

2. Reach for a glass of water

Instead of reaching for common ulcer medications, patients in a recent Greek study who drank a glass of water when experiencing heartburn found themselves experiencing relief much more quickly. Drinking water helps increase the level of pH in the body, reducing heartburn symptoms.

3. Practice good posture

Slouching while standing can compact the stomach, reducing the amount of space for its contents and putting pressure on it. Other ways to help give the stomach unfettered room to digest its food include sleeping on either the right or left side, but not the stomach. Elevating the head and shoulders also seems to help people reduce the effects of heartburn.

4.Breath deeply and often

Deep breathing has been touted as a way to calm the nerves. However, it is also effective at reducing the amount of air that is swallowed. In addition, deep breathing can help strengthen the muscles that surround the sphincter that is located in the lower esophagus. This can be instrumental in reducing the symptoms of acid reflux. This technique is quick and easy to do, and it can be completed in any place, at any time.

5. Revamp the diet

There are a host of foods that are known to trigger heartburn. Some of these foods and beverages include meat, coffee, chocolate, dairy products, spicy foods, acidic foods, spicy foods and soda. Avoiding these foods can greatly reduce the likelihood of heartburn.

6. Eat high protein meals

Eating meals that have high levels of protein has been shown to be effective at increasing the pressure on the sphincter that is located in the esophagus. This can help make it able to withstand acid reflux more easily. Fatty foods, though, have the opposite effect and can increase the likelihood of heartburn.

Making simple changes in daily habits, such as eating, sleeping and breathing, can help reduce the occurrence of heartburn.

Sources:

http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com

http://experiencelife.com

http://www.eatingwell.com

http://science.naturalnews.com

About the author:
Sofiya has written articles on most health-related topics, including traditional medicine, alternative and naturopathic and natural treatments,health insurance, wellness, medical marijuana, diets and fitness.