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Heartburn has no relationship with the heart. Heartburn is a burning, and flaming sensation and discomfort in your upper-chest and mid-chest area, just behind your breastbone. It occurs when the acid in your stomach backs up in your esophagus, which is a 10-inches tube that connects your mouth to your stomach. The sensation worsens after having dinner or when you lie down or bend over.
Heartburn
Heartburn is very uncomfortable, and no wonder most sufferers look for solutions to cure it as fast as possible. It can last for a few minutes or last for several hours.
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There are many over-the-counter medications available on the market to treat it. But it is recommended that you treat heartburn by first using natural home remedies when possible. One of the major reasons for this is that recently, many patients who have been taking proton-pump inhibitors have been asking themselves could Zantac cause bladder cancer? In fact, could it also increase the risk of colon and prostate cancers?
Zantac a proton pump inhibitor was until recently used to reduce the production of stomach acid that causes heartburn, but with the recall, most previous users are now worried about if their health has been affected negatively.
Below are a few tried and tested remedies to help you relieve heartburn at home.
1) Baking Soda
Mix a teaspoon of baking soda into a cup of water and drink it. This will help in neutralizing the acid in your stomach. Baking soda contains sodium, so check with your doctor if you are on a low sodium diet.
Note – Pick Baking soda and not Baking powder.
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2) Ripe Banana
Banana is an alkaline food as it has high potassium content. It helps in neutralizing the stomach acid that is irritating your esophagus. Make sure you pick and eat ripe bananas only, as unripe bananas are less alkaline and might trigger the acid in your stomach. You can also eat melons, nuts, and cauliflower.
3) Apple Cider Vinegar or Lemon Juice
Apple cider vinegar, about a teaspoon, must be diluted in warm water and taken just before the meal or just after the meal. It can also reduce the acidic level in your stomach. We advise you to speak to your family doctor before self-medicating. You can also squeeze half a lemon and drink it just before you start eating to get your stomach ready for a meal.
4) Chewing Gum
Pick a sugar-free chewing gum only. It increases saliva production and promotes swallowing. Chewing gum for 30 minutes after lunch or dinner can reduce the acid level in the esophagus. Avoid peppermint or spearmint gums, as peppermint can worsen the symptoms.
5) Don’t Overeat or Eat Quickly
Always watch what you eat and how much you eat. Overeating will put more pressure on the valve that keeps acid in your stomach and keeps it out of the esophagus (when the acid reaches the esophagus, heartburn is likely to happen). Eat smaller portions frequently to prevent heartburn. Chew your food, and don’t just rush into eating it quickly.
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6) Aloe Juice
Just like aloe vera helps in soothing sunburns, aloe juice helps in soothing irritation caused by acid reflux in your stomach. Make it a habit to drink half a cup of aloe juice just before meals. It will ensure your stomach and esophagus are soothed every time you have your meals.
7) Stop Smoking
Smoking reduces the production of saliva, which results in lowering the effectiveness of the valve that stops the stomach acid from entering the esophagus, resulting in heartburn. Thus, now is a good time to quit smoking and reduce the chances of heartburn. Here are a few scientifically proven ways to help you kick this harmful habit.
8) Watch your sleep position
Elevate your head and chest higher than your feet when you sleep. This process will help in reducing acid reflux and heartburn. You can also try sleeping on your left side. It helps in supporting digestion and might help in limiting stomach acid reflux.
Medication can certainly help calm down the burn, but we strongly recommend curing heartburn with natural remedies and making lifestyle changes. Some of the lifestyle changes you can follow, include – Wearing loose-fitting clothes, avoiding late meals, and avoiding eating before exercising are some more tips you can consider to cure heartburn. Increase physical activity if you are overweight and start exercising and walking. Heartburn can be cured by making lifestyle changes. If you have severe pain, unexpected weight loss, bloody vomit, or something unusual, consult your doctor as soon as possible.
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Herbal remedies for heartburn
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