That burning feeling in your chest after eating? It could be Heartburn.
Heartburn is a condition that can be highly uncomfortable and, at times, a downright painful chest that can last for a few minutes or hours.
While unpleasant, heartburn usually isn’t severe and can be treated with over-the-counter medications or home remedies. The burning sensation in your chest, the constant urge to clear your throat, and the discomfort you feel while lying down, can outbalance your personal and everyday life.
However, if you are among the millions who suffer occasional heartburn, you know how important it is to find relief.
The article covers all your queries for science behind heartburn, symptoms, risk factors, components in our daily food/life disrupting normal digestive system for heartburn, home-based and natural remedies, medications and recommendations from expert healthcare providers.
What is Heartburn?
Heartburn is a burning sensation emerging from the chest that can progress towards the jaw or neck.
It is caused by increased acidic content in the stomach that rises towards the esophagus, a tube bringing food from mouth to stomach for digestion.
Heartburn gives an acidic/ bitter or sour taste to the mouth or throat and increases chest pain.
It can get worse while bending or lying down straight, as acidic content might travel straight towards the throat from the stomach and can prolong minutes to hours.
Heartburn Symptoms
The center point for heartburn is your chest, at the back of the breastbone. If you are undergoing heartburn, you will experience symptoms, including:
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Burning in the throat or chest
- Difficulty swallowing
- Sour taste in the mouth
- Hoarseness
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Belching or burping
- Regurgitation
Causes and Risk factors
Esophagus
The tube that carries food/water intake from our mouth towards the stomach is called the esophagus in the digestive system
Lower Esophageal Sphincter – LES
The muscle band present at the bottom of the esophagus is called Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) and is responsible for flowing food and liquid into the stomach.
It relaxes when food enters the stomach and tightens up again.
Heartburn occurs when LES is not functioning correctly and remains relaxed.
The acidic content from the stomach rises back into the esophagus and gives the burning sensation in the chest, i.e., Heartburn.
The main trigger points that increase the chance of heartburn include:
Trigger Foods
Every food item that is acid-rich and may agitate the stomach’s pH level, including:
- Spicy Food: Contains Capsaicin that slows down digestion, increasing stomach acid
- Fried/fatty foods: Elongate digestion process and remain in the stomach for a more extended period, resulting in high acid production
- Citrus fruits: Limes, and tangy oranges increases citric acid
- Tomatoes and their products, including ketchup or sauces, trigger heartburn
- Chocolate: Caffeine/cocoa powder increases acidity
- Peppermint: Relaxes LES
- Carbonated beverages, alcohol, coffee: Carbonation increases stomach acid production
- Onions: Stimulates gastric acid
Poor Lifestyle
- Lack of physical activities/exercise
- Smoking: Nicotine relaxes LES functioning and inflammation in the esophagus
Any Medical Condition
- Stress/Anxiety: Inhibits the production of prostaglandins, which provides an extra layer of protection to the stomach that increases acidity levels
- Pregnancy: Pregnancy hormones affect normal LES functioning
- Hiatal Hernia: A section of the stomach is pushed into the chest cavity through the esophagus, causing pressure on normal LES functioning
Medications
Certain medications either cause inflammation to the esophagus or increase stomach acid production, including:
- Pain relievers
- High blood pressure controlling medication
- Antibiotics, anxiety/antidepressants
- Heart medications
Heartburn vs. Acid reflux vs. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
All three terms are interrelated, but there is a difference between the three conditions.
- Heartburn is a symptom of acid reflux characterized by a burning sensation in the chest.
- Acid reflux is the physical movement of stomach acid that flows back into the esophagus and can cause heartburn.
- GERD is a more severe condition that is caused by chronic acid reflux. It is diagnosed with repetitive acid reflux within a week/short time and inflammation in the esophagus. It often requires more assertive medical treatment, and for prolonged acid reflux symptoms professional medical advice should be taken, as it might lead to esophageal cancer.
>> Related Article: 7 Best Probiotic Supplement for Healthy Digestion • Top Gut Health Support of 2024
Remedies for Heartburn
Data analytical research at the University of Huddersfield, the UK, in 2020 suggests that the global existence rate of GERD is almost 14%, with the highest rate of 19.55% alone in the US, followed by 14.12% in the UK. It further suggests that the rate is expected to rise within a decade, including the death rate.
Some major GERD complications include esophageal ulcer, sinusitis, esophageal stricture (narrowing of the esophagus), Barrett’s esophagus, and acid regurgitation to the lungs, causing lung damage.
With the increasing numbers of heartburn/GERD cases and its complications, let’s review some of the remedies that can help to reduce its adversity.
Change in Daily Routine
- Increase exercise to lose weight/reduce stress
- Avoid alcohol, tobacco, and being a second-hand smoker
- Maintain a healthy weight/BMI range
- Change sleeping position, with headrest slightly raised.
Change in Diet
- Eat healthier and small portions
- Avoid trigger foods: fried/fatty, spicy, acidic foods
- Avoid laying straight after a meal and stay upright for at least 45 minutes.
- Increase alkaline foods: fresh fruits/vegetables, nuts, legumes, and soybeans, as they counteract acidity.
Medications
FDA has approved three classes of anti-heartburn medications:
Antacids
Helps to neutralize stomach acid for quick relief, including Gaviscon, Mylanta
Histamine-2 Blockers
Reduces stomach acid production, including Nizatidine, Cimetidine
Proton Pump Inhibitors
Heals a damaged esophagus and decrease stomach acid, including Esomeprazole, Omeprazole, and sodium bicarbonate-based Zegerid
There might be countless medications available in the market, each brand with varying formulations and having numerous side effects.
Quick Home-based Treatments
- Eating ripe bananas
- Herbal remedies: Ginger tea
- Sugar-free gum
- Yogurt
- Chilled milk/water
- Probiotics dietary supplements
- Baking soda: Only precise usability is preferred, as it might affect natural salts in the body, leading to cardiovascular/cholesterol/blood pressure complications
- Avoid Apple Cider vinegar
Other Remedies – Digital Program for Heartburn
Best Permanent Solution: Heartburn No More
If you experience frequent heartburn, try this digital program. Heartburn No More is a natural holistic program researched and developed by a healthcare professional Dr. Jeff Martin.
He had frequent heartburn and spent years researching the origin of his heartburn problem, through which he formulated a successful permanent treatment plan.
How does it work?
The product works by eliminating acid reflux/Gerd naturally.
It suggest adjusting diet/lifestyle and simple remedies.
Also, the program helps us understand heartburn-related issues and concepts in a stepwise process, including:
Main Features:
- Contains Natural and safe methods for eliminating acid reflux and reduce heartburn
- Real-world results are shared for customer satisfaction
- Includes a self-learning process for managing heartburn and complications
- Helpful for managing physical, emotional, and mental health
- Ensures a positive outcome within 4 to 8 weeks with no reported side-effects
Heartburn No More is helpful, if you are:
- Anyone ranging from professional to non-professional person, who wants to get rid of heartburn issues
- Aiming for clinically proven treatments that don’t clash with theories and studies
- Wanting healing power for cells and looking for professional advice in a straightforward way
- Desiring a cost-effective treatment and avoiding invasive surgeries
- Ready to jump-start a new healthy life routine through reducing stress levels and weigh
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Full Article: Heartburn No More Reviews 2024: Does it Really Work?
Conclusion
Heartburn and its related issues can be tedious for your daily routine. In addition, taking medication destroys your natural immunity, weakens your body, and puts your health at a greater risk for endangered diseases.
Heartburn No More is the best pick if you’re looking for a natural, less persistent way to cure your heartburn. The product has helped countless people relieve heartburn without expensive surgery or medication.
Plus, the program is simple to follow and doesn’t require any special equipment or ingredients. So it’s worth giving a try.
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Heartburn Relief FAQs
Does aloe vera give heartburn relief?
Yes. One-to-three tablespoons daily of aloe vera juice can relieve heartburn.
What is the best and quickest home remedies for treating heartburn?
Chilled water or yogurt or ginger root tea.
Ginger root tea contains phenolic compounds that reduce gastrointestinal contractions and lower stomach acid levels.
Does an anti-GERD diet control stomach acid?
Johns Hopkins medicine studies reveal anti-GERD diet as foods that neutralize stomach acids, including brown rice, oatmeal, carrots, sweet potatoes, broccoli, melons, nuts and other foods watery and fibrous.