Heartburn is a common symptom often associated with digestive issues. It's characterized by a burning sensation in the throat, chest, and stomach, which can lead to discomfort, distraction, and a lack of confidence in daily activities.
What Is Heartburn?
Heartburn occurs when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, resulting in a burning sensation in the chest area. This discomfort typically begins in the esophageal muscles and can extend to the throat and ears.
Heartburn pain may worsen when lying down or bending over. Following a heartburn episode, a person may also experience a bitter or sour taste in the mouth.
Source: Heartburn is a painful, burning feeling in the middle of your chest.
Essentially, heartburn isn't a standalone condition but rather a symptom indicating an issue within the digestive system. It can affect individuals of all ages and backgrounds.
Common signs of heartburn include:
- Feeling a burning sensation in the chest area, which might extend to the upper abdomen.
- Often happens after meals or when lying down or bending over.
- Can disrupt sleep, particularly if you've eaten shortly before bedtime.
- Typically responds well to antacids.
- Might come with a sour taste in your mouth, especially when lying down.
- Sometimes involves a small amount of stomach contents moving up into the throat (regurgitation).
5 Natural Home Remedies for Heartburn Relief
If you're dealing with heartburn, you can try several home remedies. However, just like medications, these remedies and supplements carry risks. Some may interact with medications or lead to other issues.
It's always wise to consult your doctor before attempting these options.
1. Turmeric Root
Turmeric is a spice with anti-inflammatory properties that some people use as a home remedy for various ailments, including heartburn relief. It's believed that turmeric may help alleviate heartburn symptoms by reducing inflammation in the digestive tract. However, there's limited scientific evidence to support its effectiveness specifically for heartburn relief. These natural ingredients are present in Cumargold.
2. Baking soda
Baking soda can calm some episodes of heartburn by neutralizing your stomach acid. To do this, dissolve 1 teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water and drink it slowly.
To be safe, only use this baking soda remedy every once in a while, not frequently. Talk with your doctor about how to use baking soda safely.
3. Licorice Root
Licorice root is an old herbal remedy that may help with heartburn. A 2017 study showed that herbal formulas with licorice consistently provided heartburn relief even better than commonly used antacids.
Source: Licorice root lowers acid in the stomach which in turn relieves heartburn, reflux, and indigestion.
Eating too much licoriceTrusted Source may raise your blood pressure, lower your potassium levels, and interfere with certain medications. Always talk with your doctor before taking licorice or DGL supplements.
4. Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is another home remedy that some people use to treat heartburn. Some believe that drinking apple cider vinegar could improve your digestive health.
No solid evidence supports this claim yet, but consuming small amounts of diluted apple cider vinegar is typically considered safe.
5. Ginger
Ginger has a long historyTrusted Source of use in Chinese medicine. This herb can help relieve nausea, so some believe it may be worth trying for heartburn, too.
However, large doses of ginger may cause heartburn or other problems, so use it in small amounts.
How to Prevent Heartburn
To effectively manage heartburn relief, it's important to implement the following measures:
1 Balanced Eating Habits
- Patients should avoid overeating and aim to consume about 60% of their usual portion sizes while incorporating frequent smaller meals.
- Eating smaller portions helps reduce stomach pressure during digestion, minimizing the reflux of gastric juices and reducing the frequency of heartburn occurrences.
Source: Smaller meals are going to help your body by aiding in the digestion process.
- Additionally, maintaining regular meal times helps establish a stable circadian rhythm for the stomach, preventing excess acid secretion.
- Do not have dinner too late, as undigested food can lead to gas production and increased acid secretion, resulting in bloating and heartburn.
2. Stress Management
Stress and tension can negatively impact the digestive system, indirectly contributing to heartburn. Therefore, individuals experiencing heartburn should strive to balance life, work, and rest to moderate stress levels.
3. Regular Medical Check-ups
Undergoing routine physical examinations aids in accurately diagnosing the underlying cause of heartburn and ensuring appropriate treatment.
Patients should adhere strictly to their prescribed treatment plans, taking medications as directed by their healthcare provider and avoiding self-medication or altering medication dosage or timing without medical guidance.
In Summary
Heartburn can be quite uncomfortable and may stem from various factors. If you find that your symptoms worsen after consuming certain foods or drinks, it's sensible to reduce or avoid them.
While there are numerous medications and treatments to alleviate heartburn, incorporating some straightforward adjustments to your diet and lifestyle can also be helpful.
