In order to understand what remedies would work best for you it is wise first to understand what causes heartburn in the first place.
Heartburn is caused from your stomach acids traveling back up through your esophagus and into your throat and mouth. Because these areas do not have a lining like your stomach does, there is no protection and the acid literally begins to burn the area. There is a valve that is supposed to protect against this but sometimes the valve malfunctions either once in a while or due to permanent damage of some sort.
The first defense against mild acute heartburn is to drink water. Water sooths the throat and as it is the ‘universal solvent’, water can dilute the stomach acid to the point where it does not hurt you any longer.
If water is not effective for you, you should consider dairy products for your acute heartburn. Milk or yogurt can provide somewhat of a protective film over your esophagus, throat and mouth protecting them from your stomach’s acid.
If dairy products or water are not effective for your acute heartburn, consider purchasing some over the counter medications such as Tums or Rolaids. These types of medications are typically made of calcium carbonate (baking soda). They help you dissipate the gas and settle the stomach acid down. They can become almost addictive to some though so you should be cautious of how many you are consuming.
If your heartburn is chronic (reoccurring) you should see your doctor who may prescribe medication such as Zantac, Prevacid or Prilosec. Many people take these types of medications preventatively and combined with a responsible diet they do not experience the symptoms of heartburn very often. Some people, though not all, can experience side effects such as nausea, upset stomach or diarrhea. Speak to your doctor to see if one of these types of medications is right for you.
When it comes to your health, you need to be on top of everything. You need to decide for yourself which of these heartburn remedies are right for you. Perhaps your heartburn is infrequent and you can manage it with a better diet coupled with more water or dairy foods. If you choose to move towards medication, be it over the counter or prescription make sure to read the warnings so you know what to expect. It is your health, please take charge of it.
How To Relieve Heartburn
Though being aware of what you are drinking is something someone with severe acid reflux has to worry about, it can also help those who only seem to have an occasional problem.
Knowing what to drink and what is best to avoid is always great information for anyone suffering from GERD, especially when symptoms seem to be going downhill.
Though avoiding drinking certain drinks won't generally fix the problem, it can help. People don't think that what they drink is as important as what they eat, but choosing the right things might make all of the difference.
Some beverages are known to make pain and discomfort worse, and they should be avoided almost all of the time. The drinks to be avoided are the ones that tend to promote excess stomach acid production, and knowing which ones do that, paired with knowing what is great to drink, can help you in your search for some relief.
When it comes to acid-stimulating drinks, there are unfortunately many that need to be avoided. One type of drink in particular seems to cause the most problems ? citrus based drinks.
Eating citrus fruits can aggravate GERD, and drinking the juice from them will have the same affect. Pineapple and orange juice are two big offenders. These aren't just for breakfast either, as there are many mixed alcoholic drinks that use them as an ingredient. It is always a good idea to ask what goes into a drink before ordering. Tomato juice will do the same thing, and is also an ingredient in some drinks. Alcohol in general is not a good idea for those with GERD, so the answer might be to skip any and all alcoholic drinks, especially during a flare-up.
No one wants to hear this, but caffeine can also trigger acid reflux pain. Caffeine is very common in many popular drinks, and that makes it hard to avoid. Even worse, many feel they need their morning coffee to get going.
Giving up caffeine is hard, and to avoid headaches, it might be best to reduce your consumption slowly each day until you reach a point you're caffeine free. Coffee, tea, and soda all have this ingredient if you buy the regular type. It would be far better to buy the decaffeinated versions of all of those to avoid the discomfort. However, it is worth noting that even the decaf version can cause problems for some people, so be prepared to give up these drinks for good.
By far, the best drink for those with acid reflux is good old-fashioned plain water. The more water a person can drink the better. This helps keep the system moving so the acid is not sitting in the stomach, and it will not stimulate the stomach to make more.
Some people can drink milk to relieve the pain of GERD, but its not suitable for everyone. Low-fat milk might be better as a drink to relieve heartburn. Drinking lots of milk (if agreeable) and water will help keep the acid in check, and also has great health benefits as well.
Both Russell Clark & Kathryn Whittaker are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Russell Clark has sinced written about articles on various topics from Fitness, Brain Injury and Fitness. Russell Clark owns and operates the website .. Russell Clark's top article generates over 4400 views. to your Favourites.
Kathryn Whittaker has sinced written about articles on various topics from Acid Reflux, Pregnancy Problems and Acid Reflux. By Kathryn Whittaker. Sign up for a free newsletter that has proven methods for tackling Acid Reflux, Heartburn and GERD head-on and discover more about. Kathryn Whittaker's top article generates over 18100 views. to your Favourites.
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