Many people experience occasional heartburn. Prevention of heartburn may be achieved by avoiding certain foods, beverages or making certain lifestyle changes. Heartburn treatment, when necessary, can provide relief from the burning sensation. Those who experience heartburn symptoms once or more per week may want to have their symptoms evaluated by their physician. Sometimes frequent heartburn is a symptom of a more serious health problem.
Prevention of heartburn in some cases may be achieved by avoiding spicy or highly acidic foods like tomatoes and tomato products. Fried foods can also lead to heartburn. Eating too quickly or too much at once can lead to heartburn. In cases of heartburn caused by eating too much or the wrong foods, an over the counter antacid is usually an effective heartburn treatment. Sometimes it is necessary to keep a food diary or at least make a mental note of when the heartburn symptoms occur. Some people have found that prevention of heartburn is possible, if they are able to identify the foods that trigger the symptoms.
Heartburn symptoms occur when stomach acid leaks up into the lower esophagus causing a burning or warm sensation in the back of the throat or at the top of the stomach. An overly full stomach will be more likely to "spew" the stomach acid up. Thus, eating smaller meals is often effective for the prevention of heartburn.
The stomach has a tendency to produce more acid during stressful times. In fact, many people notice their first episode of heartburn after a particularly stressful period in their lives. Those who suffer from anxiety are more likely to experience heartburn. And in these people, it is often necessary to treat the anxiety in order to achieve prevention of heartburn. Relaxation techniques are an effective heartburn treatment for some. Deep breathing, meditation or just eating in a peaceful relaxing environment may be effective for the prevention of heartburn. Eating in front of the television is a common habit, but we have a tendency to overeat and/or eat too quickly when we are not focusing on our dinner. Thus, making changes in when and where you eat may be effective for the prevention of heartburn.
Drinking coffee, carbonated beverages or alcohol leads to heartburn in some people, particularly on an empty stomach. Effective prevention of heartburn is achieved in some cases by either foregoing the morning cup of coffee or eating a bowl of cereal first. Our busy lifestyles mean that we often "grab" something to eat, gulp down a cup of coffee to get going and then find ourselves at the local convenience store searching for a heartburn treatment. Trying to slow down around mealtimes is often effective for the prevention of heartburn.
If you are a smoker, prevention of heartburn is another good reason to quit. Saliva is necessary both to properly digest food and to neutralize stomach acid. Smoking dries out the saliva in the mouth and throat and will lead to heartburn, eventually, in most people. It is a common misconception that smoking is relaxing. Nicotine is a stimulant. Stimulants create more stress and, as previously mentioned, stress leads to heartburn. Those who have stopped smoking have noted a decrease in the need for heartburn treatment.
In some cases, prevention of heartburn requires a prescription drug. There are several on the market. Your doctor can provide you with more information about them. Drugs like these are not intended for heartburn treatment, but for the prevention of heartburn. They are taken on a daily basis, not after heartburn symptoms occur. All have some side effects and should not be taken by certain people. Only you and your physician can decide if the frequency of your heartburn makes you a candidate for these drugs.
Effective prevention of heartburn has been achieved by many people in many different ways. There are herbal remedies that have proven effective for the prevention of heartburn for some people. Herbal remedies may have unwanted side effects, just like there prescription relatives. It is important to learn as much as you can about the herbs that you are considering, before you begin use. Natural does not always mean safe. Heartburn treatment using peppermint, fennel or other common food items is generally safe. But, remember your allergies and if you are pregnant or nursing, always check with your doctor.
0 comments:
Post a Comment