What is heartburn?
A heart burn is that burning sensation that a person feels on his or her esophagus just below their breastbone and it also usually comes with a regurgitation of gastric acids which is more commonly known as an acid reflux. This burning sensation can also rise up to the chest and in some instances, can also be felt in the throat, neck and even in the angle of the jaw. It has also been found out to be one of the major causes of chronic coughing and could even sometimes mimic asthma.
However, despite its moniker, it actually hasn’t got anything to do with the heart. It is so named simply because the pain felt by sufferers is often located in the breastbone where the heart is located. There are some heart illnesses that do have similar symptoms as well as sensations to that of heartburn.
Another thing that might’ve contributed to the confusion is the fact that the hydrochloric acid which comes from the stomach usually “rises” up the esophagus which is caused by a problem in the cardiac sphincter. Since the word “cardiac” is used many people confuse it as something related to the heart. But it isn’t and the word “cardiac” in its name actually refers to a part of the stomach.
Symptoms of Heartburn
The symptoms include:
- burning sensation in the chest
- burning feeling in the throat
- sour or bitter taste in the mouth
- difficulty swallowing
- constant burping
- chest pain
- flatulence
- bloating
Foods to Avoid
The food you consume can also have an effect on the occurrence of heartburn and acid reflux. There are actually food products that can worsen your symptoms so you have to observe which kinds of food trigger an occurrence of heartburn whenever you consume them. Some food types that you should avoid include:
- fatty foods
- chocolates
- citrus juices and fruits
- chili peppers
- alcohol
- caffeine
These foods can potentially irritate your esophagus and lower esophageal sphincter. Your eating habits can also have an effect to the occurrence of heartburn. Eat slowly, chew your food completely. Avoid large meals and instead opt for small but frequent meals so that there won’t be too much pressure on your stomach as well as your lower esophageal sphincter.
Natural Remedies for Heartburn
An antacid is usually used to treat it, however, one also has the option to use homeopathic remedies such as the ones listed below:
Aloe Vera Juice
This plant is an excellent remedy for people who experience heart burn. What you would need is its juice. Its juice would help soothe the pain when you’re experiencing heartburn in the same way it helps soothe burns and cuts.
Slippery Elm
Traditionally, a slippery elm is commonly used in treating sore throats; however, recent studies discovered that it also is an excellent remedy for heartburn. The best bit about it, perhaps, is the fact that it is very easy to find and that you can just suck on it like a cough drop whenever you are experiencing heartburn.
Meditation
In a lot of the cases where people experience heartburn it is often times triggered by situations that cause stress. This is why meditation is another recommended remedy for heartburn. Meditation would help the person relax and flush out whatever it is that might have been causing them stress. So to help get rid if your heartburn problem, try doing meditation exercises on a daily basis. Who knows? You might just realize that your heartburn problem is slowly ebbing away.