Monday, July 9, 2012

Heartburn Triggers & Treatment



Some people are surprised to learn that heartburn has nothing to do with your heart. The pain is intense, however, and some patients mistake it for a heart attack.

Fortunately you can get rid of heartburn naturaly, without drugs. Check out this

great acid reflux web page

Heartburn is a common symptom of GERD, better known as acid reflux disease. It is when stomach acid escapes through the LES valve that separates the stomach and esophagus. When it is in the esophagus, it causes the sensations of burning associated with its name.

In most people, the LES would normally open and close only to let food in. However, in patients with heartburn, the LES doesn't close completely, and acid enters the esophagus. You might get heartburn from

  • pregnancy

  • obesity

  • smoking

  • alcohol

  • eating large meals

  • lying down after a meal

With this being said, diet remains the single most influential factor in risk of heartburn. Peppermint, red wine, citrus products and spicy foods, among others, are common trigger foods. Consumption of large meals, in particular, is a common trigger for heartburn symptoms.

Why You Shouldn't Ignore Heartburn

Heartburn won't kill you, but it is a warning sign of health issues that can be very dangerous if you don't pay attention. Heartburn can lower your quality of life. In some cases, a fundoplication is required to create an artificial valve between the stomach and esophagus. Consider that this is a surgical procedure, and as such, is a last resort to treat heartburn.

Other health issues associated with heartburn include:

Esophageal Stricture In which the esophagus narrows. This makes it painful to swallow food. An endoscopy may be required to remove food that gets stuck.

Esophageal Cancer - With time, ongoing heartburn can lead to this form of cancer. It's often deadly.

Esophageal Ulcer - Heartburn patients are at a higher risk of ulcers, including those that develop in the esophagus. Symptoms of this include bloody stool and vomit.

Tooth Decay - Stomach acid in the mouth can wear away at and decay the teeth.

Heartburn Treatment Tips

You can usually reduce heartburn with changes to diet and lifestyle. Avoiding fat foods is a logical place to start. Other ways to treat heartburn include:

Eat Snacks - Five to six smaller meals are better than 3 big meals.

Avoid Trigger Foods - Maintain a journal to monitor your symptoms and which foods trigger them.

Sleep With Your Head Elevated Keep your head 6 to 8 inches higher than the rest of your body while you sleep. This drains acid from the esophagus and back into the stomach.

Avoid Eating Before Bed - Give your body at least 2 hours to digest your last meal before bed time.

Natural Treatment For Heartburn

Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) are linked to fatal cases of diarrhea from C diff and may lead to bone fractures in women. Rather than that, consider a natural digestion supplement, like Digestive Science Reflux Elimination System.

A natural treatment is formulated with herbals that soothe the GI tract and strike a balance between stomach acid and enzyme renewal. This is a fine balance, but it is needed to relieve pain and to reduce dangerous bacteria that can lead to stomach bugs.

Try Digestive Science Reflux Elimination System for its proven track record of sustainable relief from heartburn and its 90 day money-back guarantee. This could be the healthiest, and ultimately, best way to get rid of heartburn.



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