Severe heartburn

Causes of severe heartburn

Most frequent cause of severe heartburn is reflux of acid from stomach to esophagus or GERD. To make sure this is the case please go to your doctor and talk to him about your symptoms.

First of all you have to make sure that it is actually heartburn - not a heart attack. Your doctor is a definite source for this information. If you're sure it is heartburn then there are several methods you can use to soothe it. Methods are sorted in the order they should be applied.

Severe heartburn treatment

PPI

Go to your doctor and get some PPI (nexium, protonix, prilosec, etc.). This will give you almost immediate result and you'll be able to sleep. Usually it is the best way to go until you figure what else works for you.

Adjustable bed or wedge pillow

Rise the head of your bed 10-20 inches so gravity will fight with your heartburn. Alternatively you could by wedge pillow which will give the same effect but with more comfort.

Diet

Change your diet. Start eating 5-6 small meals per days instead of 3 you usually have. This will give your stomach less work and it will produce less acid.

Fiber

Add more fiber to your diet. I usually do it in the form of oatmeal cereal. You can use anything else you like. Fiber absorbs stomach acid and helps to relieve the fire.

Nighttime meals

Stop eating at night or right before the sleep. Allow 2-3 hours before going to bed.


More information on heartburn:

Heartburn Articles

  • Severe heartburn - causes of severe heartburn and treatment methods
  • Smoothie and heartburn - see how smoothie a day can keep your heartburn away!
  • eBooks about heartburn - list of all heartburn related eBooks on the internet.
  • Stop acid reflux tonight with wedge pillow! - one of the proven ways to reduce nighttime acid reflux.
  • Heartburn natural home remedies - Check out this heartburn home remedies from heartburn experts.
  • Hiatal Hernia and Heartburn - Hiatal Hernia as a cause of belching, shortness of breath, chest and back pain. Hiatal Hernia relation to acid reflux and heartburn. Treatment for Hernia.
  • Aerophagia - Swallowing air, constant or excessive burping and belching caused by aerophagia. Its causes and treatment
  • Omeprazole (Prilosec/Losec) - Proton Pump Inhibitor for treatment of dyspepsia, peptic ulcer disease (PUD) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD/GERD).
  • Excessive burping and belching - How to take it under control or even stop it
  • Heartburn and Caffeine - Caffeine in Hot Beverages and Soft Drinks and its relation to Heartburn
  • Tempurpedic Topper - Helps back pain and improves sleep quality.
  • Alcohol and Heartburn - Lots of books and websites recommend to stop alcohol completely. Well it may work for some people who didn't drink before - but what to do if you like some alcohol drinks.
  • Food To Avoid - Food which you shouldn't eat if you have GERD. Heartburn food replacements.
  • Natural Remedies for Heartburn - List of natural cures for heartburn which I tried and which you can find useful.
  • Heartburn Free Lifestyle Guidelines - How to live happy with GERD and Heartburn.
  • Heartburn and Chest Pain - Symptoms of heartburn and heart attack.
  • Acid Reflux and Heartburn Recipes collection - some simple recipes for people with GERD and heartburn.
  • Nexium vs Prilosec - how to use purple pill for heartburn and acid reflux symptoms treatment. Nexium side effects.
  • Apple Cider Vinegar and Heartburn - how weight loss solution can turn into heartburn and acid reflux.
  • Upper GI endoscopy and heartburn - why endoscopy is needed, what to expect from it and how to prepare for it.
  • Heartburn remedies during pregnancy - how to relieve acid reflux during pregnancy


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