Heartburn is a medical condition where a person experiences burning sensation in the chest and throat due to reflux of stomach acids that flows back into the esophagus. It usually occurs after eating a heavy meal or lying down immediately after eating.

Symptoms can last for a few minutes up to several hours, and it can be uncomfortable or painful.

Causes of Heartburn

Heartburn can be caused by a variety of factors such as:.

1. Hiatal Hernia

A hiatal hernia happens when the stomach bulges through the diaphragm, and this can put pressure on the LES (lower esophageal sphincter) which is the muscle that prevents acid from flowing up into the esophagus.

When the LES is weakened, acid can easily travel backward, causing heartburn.

2. Acid Reflux

Acid reflux is a condition that occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter doesn’t close properly, allowing stomach acid to escape from the stomach into the esophagus, causing a burning sensation.

3. Spicy and acidic foods

Spicy and acidic foods can weaken the LES and cause heartburn.

4. Obesity

Excess body weight can increase the pressure on the stomach and cause acid reflux.

5. Lifestyle factors

Poor eating habits like eating and going to bed immediately afterwards can cause acid reflux. Smoking and alcohol consumption can also increase the chances of experiencing heartburn.

Effective Ways to Treat Heartburn

Heartburn can be managed by medications and lifestyle changes. Below are the most effective ways to treat heartburn:.

1. Avoiding Trigger Foods

One way to prevent heartburn is to avoid trigger foods such as caffeine, alcohol, spicy, and acidic foods.

2. Engage in Low-Impact Exercise

Regular low-impact physical activity can help reduce the chances of experiencing acid reflux as well as promote overall health and weight management.

3. Weight Loss

If you are overweight, it may be helpful to lose weight to reduce the pressure on your stomach and reduce the chances of acid reflux or heartburn.

4. Avoiding Tight Clothing

Wearing tight fitting clothes can add additional pressure to the stomach and increase the chances of experiencing heartburn. Wear loose-fitting clothes to reduce the pressure on your stomach.

5. Sleep Time

Lying down immediately after eating increases the chances of heartburn. It is recommended to wait at least 2-3 hours after your meal before going to bed. If you need to sleep, try and raise the head of your bed by 6-8 inches to prevent acid reflux.

6. Medications

If you are experiencing frequent heartburn, over-the-counter antacids such as Tums, Mylanta, and Rolaids can help neutralize the acid in the stomach. H2 receptor blockers like Zantac and Pepcid can also help reduce acid production in the stomach.

Prescription medications like PPIs (Proton Pump Inhibitors) like Nexium, Prilosec, and Prevacid are effective for treating acid reflux and heartburn.

7. Herbal Remedies and Alternative Medicine

There are also natural remedies that can improve heartburn symptoms such as ginger and chamomile tea, aloe vera juice, slippery elm bark, and deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL).

Acupuncture and chiropractic care may also relieve the symptoms of heartburn.

Conclusion

Heartburn can be uncomfortable or painful, but it can be managed with over-the-counter medications, prescription drugs, and lifestyle changes.

Understanding the triggers of heartburn and avoiding them is the first step to preventing or managing symptoms. If symptoms persist, it is advisable to consult a healthcare provider.