Heartburn is a symptom that is not always related to reflux of acid.
Having “heartburn” and thinking that you can take care of it without seeing your doctor is a mistake. What you may feel as heartburn is not always a simple reflux of acid you may have after a heavy meal. This symptom may hide other causes that may be much more life threatening like a heart attack, a disease of the esophagus, an inflammatory disease and other serious diseases. This is why, if you had that symptom, it is always better to go and see your doctor for an advice, and get the right medical care.
Heartburn due to acid reflux occurs typically after a heavy or spicy meal, when lying down too early after a meal, in periods of stress….
Heartburn can be induced by a certain type of food, or medication and the lifestyle.
If you have been diagnosed with acid reflux by your doctor, on top of the medical treatment, these are a few tips that can help you manage that situation better:
- Avoid the food that you noticed to be the one giving you heartburn.
- Avoid the food that is too acid like: Sodas, citrus, pickles, vinegar, sour sweets…
- Avoid the food that can lead to heartburn like tea, coffee, garlic, raw onions, peppermint, tomatoes (raw or cooked), spicy or fatty food, large meals…
- Prefer the food that is going to balance the acid in your stomach like: milk, yoghurt, carbohydrates (such as brown rice, brown pastas, brown bread, potatoes…), oat, bananas…
- Eat Fibers: they will help to prevent the reflux. You can find them in veggies such as broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, celery, spinach, asparagus, leeks…
- Allow your stomach to work in a vertical position. So avoid going to sleep or lying down within two hours after a meal.
- Lift the head of your bed of 5cm (2 inches).
- Stay fit. A fatty belly prevents the stomach to be in the right position even when you are standing, and increases the risk of reflux.
- Exercise, but never with a full stomach. Some types of exercises, like crunches, yoga, work in a horizontal position, may lead to reflux.
These are a few tips that will help you to manage or prevent this uncomfortable situation.
If you have heartburn, take it seriously, because even if it is due to acid reflux, if it occurs too often, it may lead to serious damages and life threatening diseases of the esophagus and the stomach.
If the symptoms persist even if you are following a treatment, it is always better to see your doctor.
Now, you know how to kick heartburn out of your life!!!