Hi there viewers! Have you been chugging
pink liquid or popping antacids to get rid of heartburn? Sometimes, you might need medication
after the occasional hot wings or chili. But if bland salads and soups are causing you
heartburn then relying on medicine isn’t the best. Instead, how about some home remedies?
In today's video let's discuss 12 effective ways to prevent and heal heartburn. You might
have heard about drinking cold milk. But does it actually work?
What about eating fruit? We're discussing all that and more.
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Do you have too many after-dinner mints?
Spearmint and peppermint are active ingredients of many mouth fresheners.
Herbal teas, candy, mouthwash, chewing gum, and toothpaste also are flavored with mint.
Mint has a long history of medicinal use. Traditional medicine uses it
to soothe stomach disorders. But surprisingly it's not for everyone.
Peppermint oil can actually put pressure on the food pipe and cause heartburn.
Especially a ring of muscles that guards the opening of the food pipe.
Peppermint can even irritate the insides of the food pipe causing restlessness.
The cold feeling in your mouth after you have a mint is because of menthol.
It gives mint a typical taste and aroma. But that too could have a negative effect
on your digestion. If you’re already suffering from gastro-esophageal-reflux-disorder or GERD
for short, then menthol could just worsen it. Stop eating mints for a few days and see how it
feels. If your symptoms improve then Bingo! You've found the culprit of your heartburn.
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Get your medicine checked.
A few medicines especially antidepressants, hormonal supplements for postmenopausal women,
pain killers, and medicine that increases bone density can act as irritants. The problem starts
when the food pipe opening doesn't close completely once food passes to the stomach,
and allows the backflow of stomach acids into the throat. You may feel a little hoarseness
in your voice or something like a sore throat. But when you are having these symptoms without
any other signs of viral infection then the change could be because of the acid reflux.
Strong medicine can worsen acidity. If you are on regular medication and experiencing
heartburn then just talk with your doctor. They might prescribe you a different medication.
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Let's break the myth of cold milk.
Do you grab a glass of cold milk or a scoop of ice cream to reduce acidity?
Acid Reflux can cause a continued burning sensation that can be discomforting. When
you consume cold milk it creates a pseudo feeling of subsiding the burning sensation.
You get the same feeling even if you drink ice-cold water.
But unfortunately, milk is one of the old remedies for heartburn.
The calcium from milk might help to prevent the acid buildup and absorb excess acid.
But milk as a whole stimulates your stomach to produce more acid. There are scientific studies
that say consumption of dairy food worsens the symptoms of GERD. You can try chilled non-dairy
milk like oat, soy, coconut, or almond milk. Consume it as it is without adding any sugar.
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Is banana your favorite fruit to snack on?
Bananas are a cheap source of nutrients. They are available everywhere. They may
lower your risk of stroke, keep your bones healthy and help your muscles
to work better after fatigue. But there is a dark side to bananas.
According to a study people who ate raw ripe bananas or added them to their porridge
had high values of gastric acid. It could be dangerous if you are already suffering
from stomach ulcers. Plantain or unripe banana on the other hand is pretty bland. You can use
it directly in your food or use plantain flour to reduce symptoms of hyperacidity.
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Are you adding too much raw onion to your food?
Onions are a crunchy culinary addition to your dishes. They add an aromatic punch
to your salads and salsas. But do you burp a lot after eating them? This is
a clear indication that your stomach is producing more gas to digest it.
The fermentable fiber in the onions makes your gut work extra hard to digest. In some people,
it can even irritate the delicate lining of the esophagus. You can still get the
goodness of onions without having to eliminate them completely from your
diet. Just a light saute or a slow roast mellows the onions and reduces heartburn.
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Loosen up the tight clothing around your waist.
Are you fond of body-hugging clothes and tight belts? If yes,
consider loosening the belts or wearing loosely fitted clothes before your meals.
If you find the elastic of your other clothes too tight then consider buying
larger size clothes or an extender that will give more space for your body.
Studies have shown increasing abdominal pressure by a waist belt can increase the reflux disease
after a meal. Skinny jeans, way too tight body shapers, and corsets can make a fashion
statement but they are just uncomfortable to wear and not at all health-friendly.
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Are you having citrus after your meals?
Most of us enjoy having a sweet bite at the end of the meal. When you're health
conscious you might have the urge to replace desserts like cakes and ice cream with fruit.
One might think of this as a healthy swap but in reality, it just ramps up the acid reflux.
If you are having oranges, limes, kiwis, berries, pineapples, papayas, or mangoes then they could be
dangerous. A review found multiple studies stating dietary intake of citrus fruits after meals
have a direct relationship with reflux disease. Remember to have these fruits before having food.
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Chew gum and ease acidity.
Gum has been the favorite treat of everyone right from teenagers to athletes. It not only shields
garlic and onion breath but the sugar-free variety can actually help you to ward off
cavities. Popping chewing gum can not only be fun but have a scientific benefit too.
Science has shown gum that contains bicarbonate can neutralize acids that cause reflux.
Additionally chewing gum can stimulate the salivary glands in your mouth and
increase the production of saliva. When you swallow that saliva it effectively
stabilizes the acids in your stomach. But if you have ruled out peppermint
as it increases your heartburn then just stick to the fruity flavors.
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Ditch the cigarettes
There are a million reasons to quit smoking. But if you really need it, here is one more.
Smoking can make the acid in your stomach go wild. They reduce the salivary flow in your mouth.
Since there is less saliva to neutralize the acids it gives a burning sensation.
Nicotine from cigarettes also can cause a backflow of acids in the food pipe. Overall it slows down
the clearance of acids from your esophagus. Your body will immediately start recovering once you
decide to quit smoking. You can try nicotine patches and gums to overcome the addiction.
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Choose your drinks wisely
Do you end up with a glass of wine before hitting the bed? You may think that glass
of wine will lull you to sleep. But in reality, it actually does
the opposite. Alcohol relaxes your muscles, including the entrance of your esophagus.
After that, the stomach acids can easily pass to your throat and cause heartburn.
The same goes for coffee. Your morning cup of Joe can cause acid reflux. If you fail to
have a good breakfast with coffee then sour burps will soon herald heartburn.
With alcohol and coffee out of the scenario, the next common drink that goes with food is
soda. Folks having GERD must avoid hard seltzer water and soft drinks.
The fizz from the beverages can make you burp even more. It will release gas and cause
acid reflux. That's why it is best to stick to water during or after meals.
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Make it a point to sleep on your left side.
Pesky heartburn can keep you up the whole night. Even if you are
doing everything right about what to eat and what to avoid,
your sleeping position can determine a lot about where your stomach acid moves.
Your stomach is a concave organ and is situated on the left side of your body. When you sleep
in the left lateral position the contents are unable to reach the entrance of your food pipe.
But if you sleep on the right side or on your back the acid can easily hit this spot,
flow through the food pipe back into your throat. If you just want to ensure that you
are sleeping in the correct position just prop up the head section of your bed. Use an inclined
plane under your bed but avoid stacking pillows as it can cause back and neck pain.
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More on what and when to eat.
Does your daily dinner sound like gobbling up a large spicy pizza and
then immediately hitting the bed? If yes then there are a couple of things
that you might want to change. Spicy and fatty food has been studied to cause acid
reflux. Stick to mild foods that can calm down the stomach acids at night.
Instead of gobbling up a whole pizza in one go try having frequent smaller meals.
Overeating can just put a lot of pressure on the food pipe and cause heartburn. Remember
to finish up your dinner at least 3 hours before sleeping. This will help the acids
to settle down before you lie flat on the bed and prohibit reverse flow.
A sharp burning sensation in the middle of your chest is bad. But do you know what is even worse?
Gout! It is again caused by acidic foods and elevated uric acid levels. Want to know more?
Then check out our video ; lower your uric acid levels naturally with these 10 effective methods
or Have gout? Eat these six foods and stay away from these four.
Go ahead. Click one and better yet watch both and learn how to save your joints
from swelling. Have you found your reason for heartburn? Let us know in the comments below.