Heartburn and its causes

Heartburn also known as gastrointestinal reflux is a medical condition which is characterised by the flow of acid from the stomach to the oesophagus and causes damage to the oesophageal tissues.  Heartburn occurs when the acid from the stomach is expelled and reaches up the lining of food pipe.

 

Symptoms of Heartburn include following:

•          A burning sensation behind the breastbone, neck, and throat
•          Changes in taste
•          Hoarseness in voice
•          Coughing

Causes of heartburn

Heartburn may be caused due to the consumption of some foods or drinks, which increase the production of acid in stomach and triggers heartburn. Common causes of heartburn include consuming:

•          alcohol
•          carbonated dinks
•          high-fat foods
•          full-fat dairy products
•          acidic citrus fruits
•          caffeine,
•          aspirin like Bayer etc
•          acidic foods such as onions, tomatoes, garlic
•          peppermint
•          buprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, etc.)
•          chocolates
•          spices
•          fried foods
•          beef

How can heartburn be prevented?

1.   Ditch the foods with pH less than 5

The first and the most effective remedy to get rid of heartburn is to avoid eating foods which tend to increase the acidic content in our body. So, go about a steady abstention and eliminate all those foods from the diet which have a pH less than 5 such as soda, alcohol, chocolates, coffee, packaged drinks, fried foods, carbonated foods, peppermint. Keep a control on your consumption of tomatoes, cheese, beef, and other products which have high fat content. These foods are highly potent in gutting your oesophagus in the corrosive acid. If the intake of such foods is not curbed, the acid from your stomach will spill out and reach the food pipe causing heartburn.

2.   Try herbal preparations

There are certain herbal preparations which have given great relief to the patients of heartburn. Herbal combinations of licorice, elm, chamomile etc are used to make some preparations which are known for their efficacy in reining in the production of excessive acid in cases of Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). But you must consult your doctor before taking on these herbal remedies as these herbal medications may interact with your system and cause potential side effects.

3.   Antacids and other medicines

Those who suffer from heartburn usually rely on Antacids and other heartburn medications which are prescribed by the doctor. These are available as over-the-counter drugs. Most of the patients rely on antacids or oral suspension medicines for heartburn treatment. Commonly available acid reducers like famotidine or ranitidine, or acid blockers such and omeprazole and Proton Pump Inhibitors like esomeprazole, lansoprazole, omeprazole, pantoprazole and rabeprazole etc are available in the market. These medicines are quite popular because they give instant relief but their effect lasts as long as the medicine is in the system.

4.   Eat almonds

Raw almonds are alkaline-producing food which counteract the effect of acid the produced in the body and maintains the pH balance. Almonds are rich in calcium which makes them capable of treating heartburn and other digestive problems.