When
stomach juices including hydrochloric acid and pepsin (a digestive
enzyme), back up into the lowest part of the esophagus (where they don’t
belong), heartburn is the result. The fiery pain and pressure beneath
the breastbone can be so severe sometimes that it is mistaken for a
heart attack.
How heartburn happens
The esophageal sphincter (the muscular ring separating the esophagus from the stomach), fails to keep the stomach contents down where they belong. This can happen due to several reasons.
What causes heartburn?
Foods
Some foods can relax the sphincter muscle causing acid reflux. Other foods can increase the acidity of the stomach juices. Still others can irritate a damaged esophagus through direct contact.
Foods that have a reputation for causing heartburn:
Onions, garlic, spicy foods, fatty foods, fried foods, tomatoes, citrus fruits, chocolate, coffee, milk and alcohol.
Eating habits
Eating too fast or too much can overfill the stomach, forcing the sphincter muscle to open. Lying down (especially on your right side) after a big meal encourages the sphincter to open. Having a huge belly also puts pressure on the sphincter, promoting reflux.
Stress
Stress contributes significantly to heartburn by reducing the stomach’s ability to protect itself from its own acid. A high-pressure career, stressful family situation or major life event, such as changing jobs or purchasing a home, can trigger heartburn.
Prescription drugs – yet another source of heartburn
This may surprise some people, but the drugs you take can lead to indigestion and heartburn.
The downside of antacids
Antacids are one of the most-prescribed medicines worldwide.
While antacids "block" stomach acid, they also block the absorption of nutrients, hindering proper digestion. Insufficient hydrochloric acid in your stomach means your body cannot breakdown proteins into usable amino acids.
Many popular antacids contain:
What to do first
Get your doctor’s support to try this effective, natural approach before resorting to antacids:
How heartburn happens
The esophageal sphincter (the muscular ring separating the esophagus from the stomach), fails to keep the stomach contents down where they belong. This can happen due to several reasons.
What causes heartburn?
Foods
Some foods can relax the sphincter muscle causing acid reflux. Other foods can increase the acidity of the stomach juices. Still others can irritate a damaged esophagus through direct contact.
Foods that have a reputation for causing heartburn:
Onions, garlic, spicy foods, fatty foods, fried foods, tomatoes, citrus fruits, chocolate, coffee, milk and alcohol.
Eating habits
Eating too fast or too much can overfill the stomach, forcing the sphincter muscle to open. Lying down (especially on your right side) after a big meal encourages the sphincter to open. Having a huge belly also puts pressure on the sphincter, promoting reflux.
Stress
Stress contributes significantly to heartburn by reducing the stomach’s ability to protect itself from its own acid. A high-pressure career, stressful family situation or major life event, such as changing jobs or purchasing a home, can trigger heartburn.
Prescription drugs – yet another source of heartburn
This may surprise some people, but the drugs you take can lead to indigestion and heartburn.
- Aspirin and Ibuprofen
- Anti-inflammatory drugs (including death from sudden gastric hemorrhage).
- Calcium-channel blockers
- Asthma drugs
- Beta-blockers (used to lower blood pressure)
- Parkinson's Disease medication
- Birth control pills…and the list goes on
The downside of antacids
Antacids are one of the most-prescribed medicines worldwide.
While antacids "block" stomach acid, they also block the absorption of nutrients, hindering proper digestion. Insufficient hydrochloric acid in your stomach means your body cannot breakdown proteins into usable amino acids.
Many popular antacids contain:
- Aluminium compounds which cause constipation
- Magnesium compounds which cause diarrhea
- Sodium bicarbonate which causes gas and bloating
- Calcium bicarbonate which can cause the stomach to create more acid than normal (once the antacid wears off).
What to do first
Get your doctor’s support to try this effective, natural approach before resorting to antacids:
- Reduce fat. Eat more complex carbohydrates and lean proteins
- Go easy on chocolates, coffee, alcohol and foods such as raw onions
- Reduce citrus fruits and spicy foods (if you are sensitive to them)
- Get rid of your abdominal ‘spare tire’
- Don’t lie down for at least 2-3 hours after a meal (that includes dinner!)
- When sleeping, lie on your left side rather than your right
- Do not go to bed soon after drinking alcohol
- Drink water half an hour before meals (and when you feel heartburn coming on)
- Do not overeat
- Eat slowly and chew your food thoroughly
Great tips !!
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