Heartburn is a pretty painful issue, and there can be many causes for it. Sometimes it comes and goes, or it sticks around for a while causing you to become very uncomfortable. Heartburn symptoms can be brought on by the foods we eat, beverages we drink or even the way we lie down. I have suffered from this painful ailment for a while now and have learned a few remedies that have helped me and hopefully they will help you too.
What is Heartburn?
Heartburn is associated with G.E.R.D (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) or acid reflux disease. Acid reflux is when the stomach acids come up the chest and into the esophagus. Over time this acid can cause damage to the lining of your throat and even your teeth–which I just found out about after my most recent visit to the dentist.
Although, it is called “heartburn”, it actually has nothing to do with the heart. Its namesake comes from the burning sensation that is located in the chest closest to the heart. The sensation can rise up through the throat and into the jaw. I have had it so bad that even my ear was hurting.
Heartburn Remedies
There are some over-the-counter medications that can help reduce the burning feeling. These medications are known as antacids. These medicines are used for mild cases or for temporary relief. There are many products to use, a few examples of them are Rolaids, Maalox, Tums, and for the worst case Pepto-Bismol. These products are taken on an “as needed” basis and sometimes take more than one dose to reduce the burning sensation. The curative effect may take some time to start working.
Antacids provide temporary heartburn relief but there are some other remedies that can offer a much longer lasting effect. Prilosec and Prevacid are no longer prescribed medications, but can be purchased at your local drug store. These medications are for people that have chronic acid reflux symptoms (like myself) and are to be taken daily. You take one pill in the morning 30 minutes before you eat, this will give you a day’s worth of ease to eat and drink whatever you want.
My wife and I have experienced that Prilosec works better for us than Prevacid. If you find yourself having the burning sensation at least once a day and taking the regular antacids don’t work, then it might be time to try one of these medications.
Foods to Avoid with Acid Reflux
The causes of heartburn can be minimized by a diet for acid reflux reduction. Warding off certain foods, such as spicy or fatty foods will help. Avoiding large portions of food, acidic foods and drinks (like soda) can also help reduce the symptoms of acid reflux. Steer clear of eating right before bed. Elevating the upper part of the body can help with the digestion if you are having heartburn symptoms at bedtime as this will allow the food time to settle.
Milk is not recommended in the acid reflux diet. Although the coolness will give temporarily relief, it contains calcium and protein than can cause the symptoms to worsen. I have found that cold water works better for temporary relief; it has the same cool and soothing effect as milk without the calcium and protein.
If All Else Fails…
If you are still experiencing the symptoms after trying all the available medicines and diet options, then it is time to see your doctor for a stronger acid reflux treatment. He or she can prescribe much stronger medicine such as Nexium, and can also offer a proper diagnosis of your particular problem.
A heartburn treatment can consist of non-prescribed or prescribed medicines based on the severity of the symptoms and how frequently you experience them. Watching your diet and having smaller portions of food will be very helpful. With all the different kinds of relief, choose the medicine that will be right for your symptoms of heartburn. Remember that acid relux can turn into a more serious problem, and if it persists please see a doctor to make sure that you get the proper care and to try and avoid further damage.
