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Heartburn (also known as acid reflux) is caused due to stomach acid spilling into the esophagus (food pipe) and irritating the unprotected lining of the esophagus. Cells on the stomach wall secrete an acid, which helps to digest food. But the stomach sometimes regurgitates into the esophagus (gastric reflux), causing the acid to come in contact with the esophageal wall, which results in heartburn. Heartburn is a major symptom of gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Causes of Heartburn
When you eat, food passes from your mouth down a tube (about 10 inches long in most people) called the esophagus. To enter the stomach, the food must pass through an opening between the esophagus and stomach. This opening acts like a gate to allow food to pass into the stomach.
Usually, this opening closes as soon as food passes through. But if it doesn't close all the way, acid from your stomach can get through the opening and into your esophagus. This is called reflux. Stomach acid can irritate the esophagus and cause heartburn.
What are the symptoms of heartburn?
The symptoms of heartburn are:
1. Feeling of discomfort or pain in the upper part of the abdomen
2. Decreased appetite
3. Pain when swallowing food
4. Nausea
5. Vomiting
6. Flatulence
7. Dehydration
8. Presence of blood in vomit or in stools.
How do I prevent heartburn?
Here are a few lifestyle changes that are required if you want to prevent the onset of heartburn:
1. Lose weight if you are obese.
2. Heartburn due to stress can be reduced by regular exercise, relaxation techniques and through professional techniques.
3. Don't eat large meals before going to sleep. After eating stay upright for several hours.
4. Alcohol intake should be kept to a minimum and smoking should be avoided.
5. Fatty and acidic foods like grapes, oranges, tomatoes, red wine, peppermints, chocolates and greasy or fried meat, should be avoided.
6. Asthma medications, antihistamines, antihypertensives, birth control pills and sedatives may aggravate heartburn.
7. If you get heartburn every time you lie down, raise your bed by 6 inches in the head region.
8. After a hearty meal, loosen your belt to prevent squeezing of the stomach.
9. Caffeine in chocolate, coffee, tea and soda can increase the production of stomach acid.
10. Eat frequent smaller meals, so that acid production is kept under control.
11. Avoid constipation, because straining during bowel movements can increase abdominal pressure and encourage heartburn.
12. Milk is not an antidote to heartburn, because it lacks buffering action and eventually will produce more acid.
Herbal Remedies for Heartburn
Use certain herbs for getting relief from acidity.
1. Chew half a tea spoon of fennel seeds slowly after your meals. Fennel seed is an aromatic herb that helps in digestive conditions through its compound 'Anethole.' Fennel seeds suppress spasms of the stomach or gastrointestinal tract spasms.
2. Have aloe vera juice before every meal.
3. Use ginger while preparing food. Fresh ginger can be ground and added to dishes while cooking or can be taken in tea.
4. Keep a single piece of clove in mouth after meals and suck on it gradually.
5. Drink a 1 tsp juice of chebulic myrobalan (haritika) mixed with 1 tsp of Emblica Officinalis or Indian gooseberry (amla) juice daily.
6. Chew some leaves of basil herb (tulsi ) to get relief from blazing, nausea and gastric problem.
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