{"id":739,"date":"2017-10-10T03:27:39","date_gmt":"2017-10-10T03:27:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/veryhealthy.life\/?p=739"},"modified":"2021-07-12T19:18:23","modified_gmt":"2021-07-12T19:18:23","slug":"20-home-remedies-heartburn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/veryhealthy.life\/20-home-remedies-heartburn\/","title":{"rendered":"20 Home Remedies for Heartburn"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"It comes on out of nowhere; an intense, burning sensation in your chest that literally feels as if your heart is on fire. You have heartburn.<\/p>\n

Despite the moniker, heartburn actually has absolutely nothing to do with your heart. But, the condition causes symptoms that mimic those that are associated with heart disease and a heart attack. In reality, however, heartburn is the term used to describe an irritated esophagus. The tube that connects the stomach and the throat, the esophagus can become irritated by stomach acids.<\/p>\n

The symptoms of heartburn arise as a result of a malfunction with the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), a muscular valve that is situated where the stomach and esophagus meet. Under normal conditions, the LES keeps stomach acids where they are supposed to be \u2013 in the stomach. When it is functioning properly, the LES opens up, allowing food to pass through to your stomach, or enabling you to expel the buildup of gas that collects in the stomach during digestion in the form of a belch, and then it closes again. However, the LES is malfunctioning, it can open too frequently or not close tightly. When this happens, stomach acids can work their way up into the esophagus, causing the painful burning sensation that is associated with heartburn.<\/p>\n

Certain foods and drinks can either relax the LES or increase the production of stomach acid. Increased production of progesterone can also relax the LES, as can certain health conditions.
\nNo matter what\u2019s causing your heartburn, there\u2019s no doubt that you are going to want fast relief. The following 20 home remedies could help.<\/p>\n

1. Drink more water<\/h3>\n

Water can be a very effective remedy for heartburn<\/a>. First and foremost, ice-cold glass of water will soothe the pain associated with heartburn, thereby reducing your discomfort. It also helps to dilute the high levels of acid that make their way up into your esophagus when you have heartburn, and also pushes those acids back down into your stomach. Additionally, water can help to prevent heartburn, as it assists with the breakdown of the food you, triggering the production of enzymes that break food down.<\/p>\n

\"\"2. Drink a mixture of baking soda and water<\/h3>\n

For quick heartburn relief, try mixing some baking soda into your water. Baking soda is often suggested for heartburn relief. Baking soda<\/a>, or sodium bicarbonate, is alkaline, so it helps to neutralize the acids of the stomach that are causing the burning sensation associated with heartburn.<\/p>\n

To use this remedy, simply add \u00bd teaspoon of baking soda to an 8-ounce glass of cold water. Mix the two together until the baking soda dissolves, and drink the mixture. You should feel almost immediate relief.<\/p>\n

\"\"3. Aloe juice can provide relief<\/h3>\n

Aloe<\/a> is often touted as a miracle plant. It is used as a natural remedy for a variety of conditions, ranging from rashes to burns, and swelling to fungal infections.<\/p>\n

Aloe can also be a helpful remedy for treating the symptoms associated with heartburn. That because it allows has anti-inflammatory properties, as well as analgesic properties, both of which can be highly effective for soothing heartburn.<\/p>\n

For fast relief, drink a cool glass of aloe juice to combat the symptoms of heartburn once they arise. You can also try drinking aloe juice before eating to keep heartburn at bay.<\/p>\n

\"\"4. Avoid lying down<\/h3>\n

If you have heartburn, lying down could actually make the symptoms worse. The LES<\/a>, the valve that connects the stomach and the esophagus, works in conjunction with gravity.<\/p>\n

The effects of gravity actually help this valve to close, thereby containing stomach acids and preventing them from working their way up into the esophagus. When you lie down, gravity can\u2019t do its job as efficiently, which means that the LES may not be able to close completely.<\/p>\n

If you have a case of heartburn, avoid lying down to prevent the burning sensation from getting worse.<\/p>\n

\"\"5. Remain in an upright position<\/h3>\n

As described above, gravity plays a big part in helping the LES work properly. When you are in an upright position, gravity helps to close the LES, thereby preventing stomach acids from working their way up into the esophagus<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If you have a case of heartburn, try to remain in an upright position to allow gravity to do its job. If possible, try to stand up, or sit up, as much as possible.<\/p>\n

If you have to lie down, prop the upper portion of your body up with pillows.<\/p>\n

\"\"6. Chew some gum<\/h3>\n

Chewing gum might seem like a bad idea when you have heartburn, as it activates stomach acids, which you would think would be counterproductive when you have heartburn.<\/p>\n

However, chewing gum can actually provide relief for heartburn. Why does it work? \u2013 Because when you chew gum, your mouth produces more saliva, and saliva<\/a> dilutes stomach acids that make their way up into your esophagus, thereby soothing the effects of heartburn.<\/p>\n

So, the next time you get about of heartburn, pop a stick of gum in your mouth; just make sure it\u2019s sugar-free.<\/p>\n

\"\"7. Drink some chamomile tea<\/h3>\n

A cup of chamomile tea<\/a> is famous for its soothing effects. It treats a variety of ailments, from stress to insomnia, as well as digestive health issues, such as heartburn. Why is chamomile so effective for easing heartburn? \u2013<\/p>\n

Because it has anti-inflammatory properties that can calm the inflammation that is occurring inside the wall of the esophagus as a result of heartburn.<\/p>\n

This can help to quickly ease the painful effects of this condition. Brew a cup of chamomile tea and allow it to cool before drinking.<\/p>\n

For even faster results, try chilling it with ice cubes.<\/p>\n

\"\"8. Eat some bananas<\/h3>\n

If you are suffering from a bout of heartburn, eating bananas could provide you with some relief. Bananas contain compounds that act as a natural antacid<\/a>.<\/p>\n

These compounds neutralize the stomach acids that are causing the burning sensation in your digestive tract. Additionally, bananas are easy to digest, so they won\u2019t further aggravate the condition. To reap the maximum benefits, allow the bananas to fully ripen before you eat them.<\/p>\n

And, while they are easy to digest right out of the peel, you can also mash them up to make digestion even easier.<\/p>\n

\"\"9. Drink some ginger tea<\/h3>\n

Ginger root is a popular natural remedy for various digestive issues, including nausea, bloating, and gas. It also provides heartburn relief. That\u2019s because ginger has anti-inflammatory properties that soothe the wall of the esophagus, which becomes aggravated as a result of the stomach acids that travel up into it and cause heartburn.<\/p>\n

It also has analgesic properties, which will help to dull the pain associated with this condition. To make ginger tea<\/a>, grate some fresh ginger root and steep it in boiling water.<\/p>\n

Strain the ginger from the water and allow it to cool to a temperature that is tolerable to drink. You can also ice it, which will provide even more soothing relief.<\/p>\n

\"\"10. Avoid alcoholic beverages<\/h3>\n

Alcohol is known to trigger heartburn. That\u2019s because it aggravates both the stomach and the esophagus. Additionally, alcohol causes inflammation, which also combats the symptoms associated with this common ailment.<\/p>\n

On top of that, alcohol weakens the LES, making it easier for stomach acids to push their way up into the esophagus.<\/p>\n

Since alcohol causes heartburn, it makes sense that you should avoid drinking it if you are suffering from this condition, as it will only make matters worse.<\/p>\n

\"\"11. Avoid carbonated beverages<\/h3>\n

Sodas<\/a>, sparkling water, and other carbonated beverages should also be avoided when you have a case of heartburn. Carbonation is famous for causing belching. That\u2019s because it relaxes the LES, making it open more frequently.<\/p>\n

It also activates the movement of digestive juices, creating gas, which needs to be expelled.<\/p>\n

As a result, if you have heartburn, you should absolutely avoid drinking anything that is carbonated, as these beverages will only complicate your heartburn and make your symptoms even more intolerable.<\/p>\n

\"\"12. Eat some mustard<\/h3>\n

If may not seem like a wise choice of food when you have heartburn, but believe it or not, mustard can actually provide relief for the discomfort you are experiencing.<\/p>\n

Mustard<\/a> is actually full of minerals and it is acidic, so it helps to balance the stomach acids that are making their way up into your esophagus and causing you discomfort. If you can tolerate it, try to down a teaspoon of mustard when you feel about heartburn coming on.<\/p>\n

It could provide surprisingly fast relief.<\/p>\n

\"\"13. Eat some almonds<\/h3>\n

When you feel the burning sensation in your chest starts to creep up, munch on a handful of almonds<\/a>. These nuts are fairly alkaline, which means that they can help to balance the pH levels of the stomach acids that are pushing their way up into the esophagus.<\/p>\n

Additionally, almonds contain anti-inflammatory properties, which could help to ease the inflammation that occurs in the wall of the esophagus when stomach acids are present and compound the pain.<\/p>\n

Plus, almonds are low in fat, high in fiber, and contain a lot of protein, further aiding in digestion and easing heartburn.<\/p>\n

\"\"14. Give yogurt a try<\/h3>\n

If you are experiencing heartburn, eating yogurt could help to alleviate the burning sensation in your chest. There are a few reasons why yogurt<\/a> provides relief for heartburn.<\/p>\n

For one thing, it\u2019s cool, which can soothe the burning, and for another, it\u2019s easy to digest, which means it won\u2019t aggravate your symptoms.<\/p>\n

On top of that, contains a wealth of probiotics, gut-friendly bacteria that are extremely important for healthy digestion. And, yogurt is an alkaline food, which also helps to balance the pH level of the stomach acids.<\/p>\n

\"\"15. Try some apple cider vinegar<\/h3>\n

It may seem counterproductive, given the high acidity level, but apple cider vinegar can actually combat the symptoms associated with heartburn. Believe it or not, the acetic acid in apple cider vinegar can actually balance the stomach acids, thereby keeping them where they belong \u2013 in your stomach<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Additionally, apple cider vinegar is anti-microbial, so it can kill off bacteria that could possibly be contributing to your indigestion. If you are going to use this remedy, make sure that you purchase organic, unfiltered apple cider vinegar, as the compounds that combat heartburn are contained within the \u2018mother\u2019, the unfiltered portion of the vinegar.<\/p>\n

Mix a teaspoon of vinegar into a glass of cool water and drink down for immediate relief.<\/p>\n

\"\"16. Eat smaller portions<\/h3>\n

If you are prone to heartburn, you should try reducing the amount of food you eat at one time. Overeating puts a tremendous amount of pressure on the stomach. When too much food is introduced into the stomach at one time, digestive juices are overly activated.<\/p>\n

This could prevent the LES from closing all the way, thus allowing stomach acids to creep up into the esophagus<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Additionally, overeating also causes belching, which also causes the LES to open continuously. Limit the amount of food you eat in one sitting and remember to eat slowly, take small bites, and chew your food thoroughly.<\/p>\n

\"\"17. Avoid preservatives<\/h3>\n

Foods that contain preservatives can not only cause heartburn<\/a> but can make the condition worse. Preservatives tend to increase the number of acids your stomach produces, which means that they are more likely to creep up into the esophagus and cause heartburn.<\/p>\n

Plus, they can cause inflammation, which further compounds the discomfort caused by this condition.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s best to avoid processed foods that contain preservatives, as well as natural foods that have been preserved with any unnatural preservatives if you want to prevent heartburn, or avoid aggravating the symptoms.<\/p>\n

\"\"18. Reduce your stress levels<\/h3>\n

Stress can wreak havoc on the body and cause a number of undesirable effects. It can lead to serious issues for your gastrointestinal health. That\u2019s because stress can cause an imbalance in hormones that play a key role in digestion, especially serotonin.<\/p>\n

It can also disturb the neurotransmitter<\/a> actions that connect the gut and the brain.<\/p>\n

In other words, your brain may not be sending proper signals to your gut, which could impact digestion and cause heartburn. Lastly, stress can increase the amount of acid your stomach produces, which will also lead to heartburn.<\/p>\n

So, try to de-stress yourself as much as possible if you are suffering from heartburn, or if you are prone to this condition.<\/p>\n

\"\"19. Wear loose-fitting clothing<\/h3>\n

You may not be aware of it, but your clothing could actually be contributing to heartburn. When you wear tight clothing, especially around the stomach<\/a>, it can push the acids in your stomach up into your esophagus, thus triggering heartburn.<\/p>\n

If you want to prevent heartburn, make sure you are wearing loose-fitting clothing when you eat or try loosening your pants after a meal. You might be surprised to find out how much changing the type of clothing you wear could ease the symptoms associated with heartburn.<\/p>\n

\"\"20. Do breathing exercises<\/h3>\n

Something as simple as breathing could actually prove to provide relief for heartburn. Breathing can help to prevent the spasms in your stomach and esophagus<\/a> that trigger acid reflux and lead to heartburn.<\/p>\n

When you start feeling heartburn coming on, make sure you take some deep breaths to try and relax the muscles and prevent spasms.<\/p>\n

Also, avoid taking shallow breaths or inhaling too much air while you are eating, as this can also complicate the digestion process and make your symptoms worse.<\/p>\n\r\n

<\/div>