LIFESTYLE NEWS - Heartburn, that uncomfortable burning sensation that radiates up the middle of the chest, is the most common digestive malady.
It is the result of a condition known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), often called acid reflux, in which stomach acid leaks upward from the stomach into the oesophagus.
While heartburn should not be ignored, there are many stomach-soothing steps you can try.
Try these:
- Eat smaller meals, but more often. A full stomach puts pressure on the lower oesophageal sphincter (LES), a valve-like muscle that keeps stomach acid from backing up into the oesophagus.
- Eat in a slow, relaxed manner.
- Remain upright after meals.
- Avoid late-night eating. Eating a meal or snack within three hours of lying down to sleep can worsen reflux and heartburn symptoms. Leave enough time for the stomach to clear out.
- Tilt your torso with a bed wedge. Raising your torso up a bit with a wedge-shaped cushion reduces the pressure on the LES and may ease night time heartburn. Wedges are available from medical supply companies. Don't just prop your head and shoulders up with pillows, which can actually worsen reflux.
- Stay away from carbonated beverages.
- Find the foods that trigger your symptoms and avoid them. Common offenders include fatty foods, spicy foods, tomatoes, garlic, milk, coffee, tea, cola, peppermint, and chocolate.
- Chew sugarless gum after a meal. Chewing gum promotes salivation, which neutralizes acid, soothes the oesophagus, and washes acid back down to the stomach.
- Check your medications. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if any of the medications you take could worsen acid reflux or inflame the oesophagus. For example, tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline loosen the LES and tetracyclines such as doxycycline can cause oesophageal inflammation.
- Lose weight if you need to.
If changing your eating habits and other preventive steps don't get heartburn under control, talk with your doctor.
Source: Healthline
