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Avoiding Heartburn Risk Factors

With any illness or disease there are usually a number of risk factors. For examples, exposing yourself to certain chemicals can cause Cancer. The same can be said of Heartburn; there are certain foods and eating habits that can lead to this uncomfortable and often painful condition. Knowing what Heartburn risk factors are will help you to avoid the nasty symptoms associated with it.

Let us start by saying that the term heartburn does not have a thing to do with your heart. It is simply called heartburn because it is a burning pain that travels up the esophagus from the stomach as a result of an excessive amount of stomach acid being produced. One of the most obvious risk factors for heartburn is of course the food you incorporate into your diet. People who eat spicy foods, fatty foods and foods that contain high levels of sugar are often afflicted by heartburn more often.

Being overweight can also cause heartburn as there is added pressure to your stomach and esophagus. Another heartburn risk factor is smoking cigarettes. There is not a lot of information as to why smoking would cause heartburn other than the fact that it irritates the lining of the stomach and lungs. Sometimes when people lie down too soon after eating heartburn can develop. The best rule of thumb is to wait for at least an hour or two after eating to lie down in bed.

It is important to note that heartburn mimics heart attack. The only time heartburn can occur is after food has been eaten. If a person experiences what feels like heartburn four hours before or after a meal a visit to the hospital may be a good idea. Unfortunately, a heart attack can feel exactly like heartburn and vice versa.

Above all advice when it comes to heartburn risk factors is to know your own body. If you know that something tends to cause heartburn, do not eat it. If there is something that you absolutely love and would like to eat once in a while then try using an acid reducer medication an hour before your meal.
Heartburn that happens a couple of times a month is probably not a big deal but if you begin noticing it occurring more than once a week then you may have a chronic problem and should seek medical attention. Heartburn can lead to GERD, ulcers and a number of other complications if it is not treated properly.

November 29th, 2011 | Tags: , , | Category: Acid Reflux, Acid Reflux Disease, GERD, Heartburn, Heartburn Research, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Heartburn Diet Tips and Advice

If you are one of the millions of Americans who suffer from chronic heartburn, otherwise known as Acid Reflux Disease, then you know what it feels like to suffer with (what seems like) every bite of food that you consume. The fact is if you are suffering from heartburn then you may need to formulate a special diet which can help in alleviating some of the symptoms that make having acid reflux so unbearable.

Foods to Avoid

Some foods you should stay away from altogether in order to make heartburn as close to a non-issue as possible. Foods that are recommended against would include things like hot wings, orange and grape fruit juices and many dairy products along with a litany of other acidic foods that should be avoided. As a general rule of thumb, it is best to limit your acid, grease and fat intake in order to avoid a flare up of acid reflux. There are also some fruits that you may want to avoid, however, not all of your favorite foods are off limits if you are going to be on a heartburn diet.

Foods to Eat in Moderation

There are some foods which may cause you to suffer from symptoms of heartburn; however, some of those foods are not completely off limits. Items like orange juice are acidic, however not nearly as acidic as something with lime or lemon in it and may be easier on your stomach than other citrus products. You may also want to monitor the kinds of dairy products that you consume as lactose can play a serious role in inducing acid reflux flair up. Eating certain types of fruits in moderation is also very important. Berries in general are a good thing to try and stay away from as well as peaches and grapes.

Foods Safe to Eat on Heartburn Diet

As you begin to research what kind of foods you can and cannot eat while you are on a heartburn diet you may start to think that such a diet is very restrictive and not at all palatable for the average person. However, it is important to remember that most of your favorite products that you buy from the grocery store come in fat free and low fat versions. This is important because as stated earlier, it is mostly overly fatty, greasy or acidic foods that cause heartburn to occur. In other words, instead of buying regular sour cream, try the low fat. It tastes just as good and won’t cause your throat and chest to feel as though they are on fire.

Keeping the Pain to a Minimum

Having heartburn can be a very unpleasant and even painful ordeal if you do not go about treating the condition the right way. Most people think that having chronic heartburn pain is a curse that they are never going to be able to get rid of, however if you know what you are putting into your body and are conscious of the effects that each item is having on you, then your chances of reducing an acid reflux flare up can be greatly reduced.

As a general rule of thumb, a heartburn diet is basically a generalized low fat, low spice diet that can be easily integrated into any lifestyle and can be just as tasty as a regular full fat diet. It is up to you to decide if you want to change your diet since no one else is going to do it for you. You are the one suffering so it is up to you to do something about it. Try a basic heartburn diet along with any medications your doctor recommends and you will feel so much better for it.

November 15th, 2011 | Tags: , , , | Category: Heartburn Diet | Leave a comment

Heartburn Remedies during Pregnancy

After having suffered through all those weeks of ‘morning sickness,’ the last thing any pregnant woman wants to go through is another several months of heartburn. Unfortunately, heartburn is common in pregnancy because of all that extra weight you are carrying up front. That tiny baby is causing an upwards pressure on your stomach which may then cause the contents up into the esophagus. Although there are a number of medications on the market, most women try to treat heartburn naturally. Here are some suggestions which have been found effective as well as safe for many pregnant mothers.

Avoid Spicy and Fatty Foods

Although we know that spicy or fatty foods tend to cause heartburn, what many women don’t know is that they also weaken the esophageal sphincter. This allows for foods to come back up more readily, but spicy and fatty foods also tend to be more acidic. Since it is acid that causes the discomfort, you want to avoid foods that cause an excess of stomach acids.

Sleep with Your Head Elevated

Anyone suffering from heartburn should make every effort to sleep with the head elevated. This is true during pregnancy as well. When looking at natural heartburn remedies during pregnancy give this remedy some serious thought. There are wedge-shaped pillows on the market for just this purpose and as you progress through your trimesters you will find that it helps keep you more comfortable as well!

Smaller Meals More Often

Keep in mind that your baby is taking up a lot of room in your midsection so you should try to avoid overeating. Most obstetricians suggest that you eat smaller meals more often throughout the day. This is good, sound advice for anyone suffering from heartburn but it is also an effective remedy during pregnancy as well. Besides helping to relieve heartburn you will feel so much more comfortable not being overly full.

Don’t Nap Directly After Eating

Whether or not you choose to sleep with your head elevated, the worst thing you can do is take a nap directly after eating. Give your stomach time to begin digesting some of that food so that it can work its way down instead of back up again. It is suggested that you try to walk around a bit after eating and wait at least an hour before taking that much needed nap.

Eat Yogurt for Dessert

In recent years there has been a great deal of information in regards to something called probiotics. Yogurt culture is naturally high in probiotics which aid in digestion and keep friendly bacteria at healthy levels in your intestinal tract. Instead of eating a piece of pie or a dish of ice cream for dessert (with or without pickles!) try a nice tasty portion of yogurt. This will go a long way in relieving heartburn during pregnancy.

Papaya and Ginger

One of the oldest Chinese heartburn remedies during pregnancy is ginger, believe it or not! Chinese women have added fresh ginger root to soups and teas for thousands of years and to this day it is one of the most common remedies for heartburn. A nice portion of papaya can help as well since papayas are naturally high in digestive enzymes. The key is to keep foods moving through your digestive system so they aren’t sitting in your stomach waiting to back up into your esophagus. Both ginger and papaya are wonder workers in this regard.

If you are like so many women who would rather go au natural at this happy time, try some of these natural heartburn remedies during pregnancy. You would be surprised at just how far a few lifestyle and dietary changes can go in remedying heartburn. Of course you should discuss any changes with your doctor, but you will find that these suggestions are safe and effective. Give them a try!

November 13th, 2011 | Tags: , , | Category: Heartburn | Leave a comment