This article presents quick fixes to get instant relief of heartburn or at least to reduce its symptoms. Be aware that these solutions actually don’t cure the underlying medical condition, they just bring quick relief from the burning sensation. But they can play an important role on your way to a life without acid reflux.
The burning sensation in the chest, esophagus and throat called heartburn is a symptom of acid reflux, a condition when stomach acid (usually with the stomach content) flows back into the esophagus, where there is no protective mucosa like in the stomach to prevent the acid burn.
The causes of acid reflux may vary, but there are a few common basic points:
- pressure on stomach
- loose stomach sphincter muscle
- high acidity of stomach content
The quick fixes address by some means or other the above listed basic points.
10 quick fixes for heartburn
- Loosen your clothes and your belt. Tight clothes cause pressure on stomach which in turn may squeeze up the stomach content.
- Do not run, lift things nor exercise. Physical activity causes many muscles group to contract and heightens the pressure on your inner organs, including your stomach.
- Drink a cup of water. Water will wash your esophagus and dilute the content of your stomach, lowering its acidity.
- Eat an apple, stalk of celery or a spoon of honey mixed up with some turmeric. These foods are natural antacids and will lower the acidity of your stomach.
- Chew a sugar free gum. This will increase your saliva production and alleviate your heartburn.
- Take an ice cube in your mouth and suck on it. It will cool down your esophagus and increase saliva production alleviating your heartburn.
- Don’t lay down. If you have to rest, either relax in an armchair or roll an extra quilt to lean against. Gravity will make up for your loose esophageal sphincter muscle. If you want to apply this quick fix more often consider buying a wedge pillow.
- Take a tablespoon of baking soda dissolved in a cup of water. It will react with your stomach acid and neutralize it.
- Take an antacid. Antacids are available without prescription and can be bought e.g. in a grocery.
- Drink a cup of chamomile tea. Chamomile is a natural heartburn cure bringing instant relief to your esophagus.
Get rid of acid reflux
The above mentioned quick fixes are just easy ways to bring you an instant relief from acid reflux symptoms. But to get rid of the underlying problem you need a long term action plan. Talk to your doctor, develop healthy eating and living habits instead of only applying quick fixes. To learn what to do to cure your heartburn permanently look through articles on this website or read one of the advertised books.
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