Heartburn is a common condition that affects nearly everyone at some point in their life. The causes of heartburn vary and can include spicy foods, acidic foods—i.e. tomatoes—fattening foods, sugary drinks, chocolate, peppermint, caffeinated drinks such as tea and coffee—believe it or not tea is a bigtime heartburn trigger for some people—tobacco use, and alcohol. But heartburn can also be a condition derived from a bodily condition such as obesity. It’s also possible for pregnant women to suffer heartburn caused by pregnancy—in most cases, the symptoms of heartburn go away once the baby is born.
What is Heartburn?
Heartburn happens when the acids in the stomach back up into the esophagus (the esophagus is the tube connecting your mouth to your stomach). There is a muscle in the esophagus near the entrance to the stomach that allows food and drink to go in, but then restricts to keep the stomach acids from escaping. You may experience heartburn as a burning feel in your chest, just behind your breastbone; although, it’s also possible to experience the pain of heartburn as a dull throb anywhere in the chest area (it’s also important to note that any pain in the chest could be a sign of a more serious condition, such as heart attack, so if the pain is severe, seizing, or throbbing with heavy pressure, immediately consult your doctor or to head to the hospital). For the less severe symptoms of heartburn, there are at-home remedies.
Lifestyle Changes
If you suffer from heartburn, try and understand its underlying cause. Which foods are causing the heartburn? How much exercise are you getting? Getting to a healthier weight may help alleviate all of your heartburn symptoms. Also, to consistently use PPI’s (Proton Pump Inhibitors), which are pills that keep stomach acids at bay, is to put our bodies at risk for other more severe issues. There’s also new research linking PPI’s and Alzheimer’s disease. So please be careful, and don’t rely entirely on over the counter drugs to counteract your heartburn. PPI’s were meant to work for the short term. Central Wellness is ready to help relax you with a massage or a day at the spa.
