Print Article for : How To Prevent Heartburn

[H1502]How To Prevent Heartburn

by Steven A Johnson, Ste

Heartburn is very common, it begins with a burning sensation that starts in the abdomen and move to the chest. It often goes to the back of the throat and sometimes up to the jaw, arms, and back. It is caused by stomach acid washing up into the esophagus. The heart actually has nothing to do with heart burn; it is just the name it got from the sensations it creates.

Heartburn occurs mostly after eating a large meal or a meal with fatty or acid foods in it. Heartburn can also result after taking aspirin, drinking alcohol, smoking, and eating chocolate. Pregnancy, obesity, diabetes, autoimmune disorders and stress can also create heartburn. People who have GERD often get heartburn frequently.

Antacids are the most common treatment of heartburn. They can be found in tablets, liquid, or foams and in extra strength or regular formulas. They can provide practically instant relief from heartburn. They do not reduce any acid build up or feelings of fullness in the stomach. They have ingredients like aluminum hydroxide, sodium bicarbonate, or calcium carbonate. Calcium can actually cause more stomach acid to build up so taking antacids with calcium is not going to provide relief for long. Sometimes antacids cannot be taken with other medications so check with you doctor. Some of those medications are iron supplements, aspirin, and steroids.

Most people lie to use milk to relief their heartburn. This is not a good antidote. Drinking a glass of milk can provide immediate relief as it is going down but the milk has calcium and protein in it. Calcium and protein can actually create even more acid production in the stomach. So in as little as a half an hour your heart burn has returned and it is more severe than when you drank the milk.

If you get heartburn frequently avoiding certain things can help to prevent it from reoccurring. Smoking, alcohol, coffee, and carbonated drinks can worsen heartburn and create it. Things like onions, tomato products, and citrus fruits can cause heartburn as well. Lying down to much can cause heartburn, even lying down after eating. Eating chocolate, mints, and peppermints can all cause heartburn. Anything spicy can cause heart burn, same with fatty foods. Losing weight if you are obese can make heartburn go away that was brought on by obesity. Medications like sedatives and aspirins can cause heartburn as well.

Some other things you can do to help your heart burn is place blocks under the head of your bed about 6 inches tall so that it makes an incline and you're not lying flat. Eat 2 to 3 hours before you lie down, and don't over eat. Avoid wearing belts and tight clothes.

Avoid drinks that are to hot or too cold. Find ways to reduce stress.

Another thing you can try is taking an herbal supplement. Heartburn Prevention by Renewal Life an advanced digestive enzyme supplement made for prevention of heartburn. It has betaine hydrochloride from beets and 3 different plant based digestive enzymes. The 3 digestive enzymes are protease, amylase, and lipase; they promote the digestion of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. The hydrochloric acid helps to prevent indigestion. This product can be found at Alternative Health Supplements and is all natural and safe for even vegans to use.

Whatever you call it, it amounts to pain and discomfort for millions of people every single day. It keeps them from enjoying their food and even prevents some sufferers from sleeping well at night.

In the past, all you could do was self medicate with antacids and hope the heartburn went away quickly. Now, the focus has shifted towards prevention with products like Nexium entering the market and proving effective.

What Causes Heartburn and Acid Reflux

When stomach acids back up, they inflame and irritate the esophagus, the tube between the throat and stomach. Because the esophagus is just behind the heart, the condition came to be known as heartburn. (It's also why the pain of heartburn is sometimes mistaken for a heart attack.)

These factors can increase your risk of having acid reflux:

* Smoking.
* Drinking alcohol.
* Obesity.
* Slouching, poor posture.
* A poor diet.
* Eating large meals shortly before bedtime.
* Certain medications.
* Certain health conditions like pregnancy, diabetes and hernia.

Having heartburn once in a while is normal. But having heartburn frequently (twice a week or more) could indicate that your esophagus has been damaged by stomach acids and you should seek treatment.

Heartburn / Acid Reflux Treatments

For minor heartburn, popping an antacid tablet might work just fine. But for serious acid reflux disease, you may need to try something more long term such as lifestyle changes and prescription medication.

Medical science has provided us with products that not only treat acid reflux, but help prevent it.

Preventing Acid Reflux Disease: Nexium

Nexium is a once-a-day pill that prevents acid reflux / heartburn attacks by reducing the amount of acid in the stomach. That, in turn, prevents stomach acids from backing up into and damaging the esophagus.

Nexium has been shown to be more effective than other prescription and over-the-counter formulas because it works for almost everyone. Other products only help about half of the people and only give short-term relief.

Nexium is tolerated well by most patients over short and long term use. Nexium also helps heal damage to the esophagus that can result from acid reflux disease. And now it's been proven to help prevent stomach ulcers associated with taking certain kinds of pain relievers.

Nexium is tolerated well by most patients over short and long term use. Nexium also helps heal damage to the esophagus that can result from acid reflux disease. And now it's been proven to help prevent stomach ulcers associated with taking certain kinds of pain relievers.

Lifestyle Changes

Another way to help prevent heartburn / acid reflux and alleviate the painful symptoms is to make some changes in your habits -- changes that will also improve your overall health:

* Quit smoking.
* Lose weight.
* Reduce or stop drinking alcohol.
* Eat smaller meals.
* Don't lie down immediately after eating... wait at least 3 hours.
* Don't wear tight-fitting clothes.
* Raise the head of your bed about 6 inches off the floor so you're lying at an angle.

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Both Steven A Johnson & Antonio LeMaire 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.

Steven A Johnson has sinced written about articles on various topics from Hoodia, Fibromyalgia and Osteoporosis. >Steven Johnson is interested in maintaining a vital, active, and healthy lifestyle. For more information on products that relate to the issues of general overall good health, along with other life-enhancing nutrients please visit his website. Steven A Johnson's top article generates over 110000 views. to your Favourites.

Antonio LeMaire has sinced written about articles on various topics from Fitness, Birth Control and Pregnancy Problems. Search Engine Optimization expert, boasting over 7 years of algorithmic search and paid search advertising.Helping a number of Online Pharmacies like: