Heartburn

Health Tips

By Lifestyle

Also called Pyrosis or Acid Indigestion,” Heartburn is the main characteristic of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) or in some cases, Ischemic Heart Disease. This is an inflammatory disease of the esophagus caused by a particularly strong reflux of stomach acid. It is more often, very painful.

Symptoms

You have heartburn if you frequently experience inflammatory condition after every meal, with a feeling that food is stuck in the chest or neck or at the back of the mouth. Other common, unpleasant symptoms are nonspecific chest pain and regurgitation. The intensity of the symptoms vary from a slight discomfort to intense pain.

Heartburn is often compounded further by a sore and burning throat. In others they resemble even asthma attacks. A connection between heartburn and headache has also been scientifically proven.

Causes

Much stress, lack of exercise, an unhealthy diet or taking certain medications can aggravate heartburn. Identified substances could also cause the condition such as alcohol, fatty and spicy food, soft drinks, etc.

Complications

Reflux patients have a significantly impaired quality of life, similar to chronic diseases such as diabetes, arthritis, and heart failure. It could also cause extreme complications if not treated correctly. Heartburn is also considered a nocturnal nuisance that causes pain or difficulty in swallowing that could cause one to lose sleep and experience fatigue.

Natural Treatment

· There are things that could be done to avoid heartburns such as giving up smoking, limiting alcohol consumption, living with a healthier diet, exercising regularly, and taking time to relax.

· It is also good to identify the substances and food items that give you heartburn and avoid those triggers as much as possible.

· Wear comfortable clothes and skip those that would tighten or constrict your waist.

· Strive and stick to a healthy and manageable weight.

· Avoid eating too much, especially at night; and do not lie down after a meal.

· For those experiencing nocturnal heartburn, it is best to sleep with your head slightly higher than the rest of your body to avoid acid from easily traveling up your throat.