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8 Ways to Prevent Heartburn & Acid Reflux Can Save You

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, over 60 million people around the world experience heartburn and acid reflux at least once a month. If you are one of them, you know how uncomfortable and even painful it can be. Heartburn can occur for just a few minutes or last for several hours, according to WebMD. It’s unpleasant, so it’s no surprise that you’d want to eliminate it as quickly as possible. When esophagus acid backs up into your mouth, you feel heartburn. Heartburn is not related to your heart, but to a burning sensation in your chest. Luckily, there are home remedies for heartburn that you can take to prevent heartburn and acid reflux symptoms.

Before we move ahead, let’s understand the difference between heartburn and acid reflux. Heartburn and acid reflux are two different conditions, but they often occur together. Heartburn is the most common symptom of acid reflux. It is a burning sensation that you may feel in your chest or throat. Acid reflux happens when stomach acid backs up into your esophagus. The esophagus is the tube that connects your throat and stomach. When stomach acid backs up, it can cause a burning sensation in your chest, known as heartburn.

It is important to keep in mind that heartburn is merely a symptom, and it is not a disease. A dull, sharp, or tight feeling may affect the chest or throat, and the symptoms may persist for many days. Often, people describe the pain as feeling as if something is lodged behind the breastbone. Whereas the common symptoms of acid reflux may include cough, sore throat, sour taste in the mouth, and burning in the chest and throat.

Some of the acid reflux foods to avoid are junk such as burgers, potato wedges, french fries, and onion rings, full-fat dairy products such as butter, whole milk, regular cheese, and sour cream, caffeinated beverages such as tea and coffee, carbonated beverages, late-night snacks which are oily and have a high-fat content.

Common heartburn and acid reflux triggers

There are many things that can trigger acid reflux and heartburn. Such as

• Eating too much or too fast
• Smoking
• Drinking alcohol
• Eating greasy foods
• Eating spicy foods
• Eating chocolate, caffeine, or carbonated drinks
• Lying down after eating

How to prevent heartburn and acid reflux?

There are many ways to prevent heartburn and acid reflux from happening. Here are 8 tips that can help:

• Don’t eat too much before bed.
• Avoid spicy foods.
• Avoid intake of acidic foods.
• Don’t drink alcohol or caffeine.
• Don’t smoke.
• Elevate your head when you sleep.
• Wear loose-fitting clothing.
• Avoid tight belts and waistbands.

When to see a doctor for heartburn and acid reflux?

If your heartburn is severe or lasts for more than a couple of days, it’s time to see a doctor. You might also want to see a doctor if you’re taking medication for heartburn and it’s not providing relief. Sometimes, persistent heartburn can be a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which is a more serious form of acid reflux.

What are some of the home remedies for heartburn?

• There are a variety of home remedies you can try to prevent heartburn and acid reflux. Some people find that avoiding trigger foods helps, while others find relief by using over-the-counter medications or by making lifestyle changes. Here are a few tips that might help you and your loved ones:
• Avoid foods that trigger your symptoms. Bananas are a fantastic snack meal for most people. It wouldn’t hurt to see whether bananas can help with your heartburn issues.
• Eat smaller meals throughout the day instead of three enormous meals.
• Avoid eating close to bedtime. Eat at least three hours before bedtime. At the very least, wait one hour after eating.
• Elevate your head and shoulders when you sleep.
• Use over-the-counter medications to help relieve symptoms.
• Talk to your doctor if you’re taking prescription medications and still experiencing discomfort.
• Make lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking or losing weight.
• Reduce stress. Mindfulness, cognitive-behavioural therapy, and hypnotherapy are all techniques that can help reduce stress and anxiety.

Heartburn and acid reflux are common problems for many people. The good news is that there are things you can do to prevent them from happening. By avoiding the common triggers and using home remedies, you can keep your digestion on track and feel your best.

FAQs

How can I prevent acid reflux naturally?

The best way to prevent acid reflux depends on a variety of individual factors. However, some tips that may help include avoiding fatty foods, drinking plenty of water, and avoiding caffeine and alcohol. It is important to maintain a healthy weight and get regular exercise. By doing these things, you may reduce your risk of developing acid reflux.

How can I get rid of acid reflux permanently?

Eat a balanced diet that includes plenty of fiber and antioxidants. These nutrients will help to reduce the amount of acid that is produced in the stomach. Drink plenty of water and avoid drinking alcohol or eating acidic foods. Finally, take medications as prescribed by your doctor if the symptoms are severe. By following these simple guidelines, you can help to reduce your risk of acid reflux and improve your quality of life.

How do you stop heartburn?

Changing your diet and boosting your physical activity may help to ease your condition. Eliminate foods that cause you to feel sick, such as fatty or spicy foods, caffeine, chocolate, or alcohol. By eliminating certain foods from your diet, you may avoid the problem entirely.

Does milk help acid reflux?

You may have heard that sipping a glass of milk will help with heartburn. While milk can temporarily neutralize stomach acid, the nutrients in milk, particularly fat, may cause the stomach to create more acid. Although milk isn’t a fantastic heartburn treatment, it is an excellent source of bone-building calcium. However, we recommend not drinking over 1-2 glasses of milk in a day.