How to Stop Heartburn From Overcoming You - 7 Things You Need to Know
You may think that it is just a simple case of indigestion manifested by a burning pain in the chest, often mistaken for a heart attack.
For one, you cannot just let this type of disease go on without proper treatment, because this is a reflux disorder that can lead to complications including cancer.
Knowing how to stop heartburn or GERD is also about gathering information on what foods to avoid and what aspects of your lifestyle to correct.
If you know what induces the lower esophageal sphincter or LES, to become inefficient in sealing the entry points of the esophagus, you can prevent the disease from recurring.
In fact, the linings of the esophagus can be damaged if this medical problem persists.
You should also have an awareness that heartburn may crop up if one has hiatal hernia, poor eating habits, incorrect sleeping habits, unhealthy lifestyle, is overweight, taking drugs for other medical conditions, or pregnant.
Below are the instances on how these diseases or conditions can lead to heartburn: 1.
Hiatal hernia - or hiatus hernia arises when the upper portion of the stomach protrudes to the thorax caused by a tear in the diaphragm.
In this case, it will be easier for the acid of the stomach to reflux into the esophagus.
2.
Pregnant - GERD in pregnant women usually happens during the later part of pregnancy.
Their digestive systems develop difficulty in digesting food intakes.
Hence, large meals, citrus fruits, spicy and fatty foods; and any activity after each meal should be avoided while pregnant.
3.
Overweight - Obesity can increase the pressure in the abdomen resulting to the upward push of stomach contents including acid into the esophagus.
4.
Poor eating habits - Regularly missing meals causes acid build up in the stomach that can disrupt the digestion processes.
5.
Unhealthy lifestyle - Cigarette smoking weakens the LES and drinking alcohol beverages is akin to filling up your stomach with acid.
6.
Drugs for other medical conditions - These include drugs for high blood pressure, abnormal menstrual bleeding, sea sickness, asthma, antidepressants, Parkinson's disease, insomnia or heart disease.
7.
Incorrect sleeping habits and postures - If you lie down after eating, the tendency is for the stomach contents to press harder on the LES.
You should wait for at least 2 hours to pass after eating and before lying down.
Arming yourself with adequate knowledge on how to stop heartburn can help you overcome this disease before it leads to a condition that can overcome you.