Discover_10 _Simple_Ways_to_Get_Rid_of_Heartburn_Acid_reflux_problem

1. WELCOME Discover 10+ Simple Ways to Get Ridof Heartburn and Acidreflux/GERD But First What Are the Differences Between Heartburn, Acid Reflux, andGERD? • Heartburn • Acid reflux • GERD • Inchildren • In pregnantwomen • Diagnosis • Complications • Hometreatments • Treatments • Call a doctor • Heartburn, acid reflux, andGERD • The terms heartburn, acid reflux, and GERD are often used interchangeably. They actually have very differentmeanings.

2. Acid reflux is a common medical condition that can range in severity from mild to serious. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the chronic, more severe form of acid reflux. Heartburn is a symptom of acid reflux andGERD. What isheartburn? The term “heartburn” is misleading. The heart actually has nothing to do with the pain. Heartburn occurs in your digestive system. Specifically, in your esophagus. Heartburn involves mild to severe pain in the chest. It’s sometimes mistaken for heart attackpain. The lining of your esophagus is more delicate than the lining of your stomach. So, the acid in your esophagus causes a burning sensation in your chest. The pain can feel sharp, burning, or like a tightening sensation. Some people may describe heartburn as burning that moves up around the neck and throat or as discomfort that feels like it’s located behind thebreastbone. Heartburn usually occurs after eating. Bending over or lying down can make it feelworse. • Heartburn is quite common. It is estimated that more than 60 million Americans experience heartburn at least once a month. You may be able to manage your heartburnby: • losingweight • stoppingsmoking • eating fewer fattyfoods • avoiding spicy or acidicfoods • Mild, infrequent heartburn can also be treated with medications like antacids. If you take antacids more than several times a week a doctor should evaluate you. Your heartburn may be a symptom of a more severe problem like acid reflux orGERD. • What is acid reflux? • A circular muscle called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) joins your esophagus and stomach. This muscle is in charge of tightening your esophagus after food passes to the stomach. If this muscle is weak or doesn’t tighten properly, the acid from your stomach can move backward into your esophagus. This is known as acidreflux. • Acid reflux can cause heartburn and other symptoms thatinclude: • cough • sorethroat • bitter taste in the back of thethroat • sour taste in themouth • burning and pressure that can extend up thebreastbone What isGERD?

3. GERD is the chronic form of acid reflux. It’s diagnosed when acid reflux occurs more than twice a week or causes inflammation in the esophagus. Long-term damage of the esophagus can lead to cancer. Pain from GERD may or may not be relieved with antacids or other over- the-counter (OTC)medication. • Symptoms of GERDinclude: • bad breath • damage to tooth enameldue to excessacid • heartburn • feeling like stomach contents have come back up to the throat or mouth, or regurgitation • chest pain • persistent drycough • asthma • trouble swallowing • Most people can experience heartburn and acid reflux intermittently related to something they ate or habits like lying down immediately after eating. However, GERD is a chronic condition where doctors start to examine long-lasting habits and parts of a person’s anatomy that could cause GERD. Examples of the causes of GERDinclude: • being overweight or obese, which puts extra pressure on thestomach • hiatal hernia, which reduces pressure in theLES • smoking • consumingalcohol • pregnancy • taking medicines known to weaken the LES, such as antihistamines, calcium channel blockers, pain-relieving medicines, sedatives, andantidepressants • Symptoms of GERD may disrupt your daily life. Fortunately, they can usually be controlled with treatment. Optionsinclude: • dietmodification • weight loss • smokingcessation • alcohol cessation • Medications for GERD work to reduce the amount of acid in the stomach. They may not be effective for everyone. Some people need surgery to help reinforce theLES. GERD inchildren From babies to teenagers, children of all ages can experience GERD. About one-fourth of all children and teenagers experience symptoms ofGERD. The condition is especially common in infants because their stomachs are much smaller and less able to tolerate being full. As a result, stomach contents can easily come backup.

4. Symptoms associated with GERD in infantsinclude: • being especially irritable or inconsolable after afeeding • choking • forceful regurgitation, especially afterburping • fussing, especially after afeeding • not gaining weight at a normal rate • refusing toeat • spittingup • vomiting • wheezing • breathingdifficulties • About 70 to 85 percentTrusted Source of infants have regurgitation the first two months of life. Typically, 95 percent will outgrow the symptoms by the time they reach 1 year of age. Children with developmental and neurological conditions, such as cerebral palsy, may experience reflux and GERD for longer time periods. • It’s important doctors diagnose GERD in children early to lessen the likelihood they’ll have complications. • As a child ages, they can still experience symptoms of GERD. The symptomsinclude: • bad breath • chest discomfort • frequent respiratoryinfections • heartburn • hoarsevoice • abdominal discomfort • Talk to your child’s pediatrician if you think your child is experiencing GERD. Untreated symptoms can cause permanent esophagusdamage. • Heartburn and GERD in pregnantwomen • Heartburn and GERD are commonly associated with pregnancy and can occur in women who may never have had GERD symptoms before. Pregnant women usually experience GERD symptoms around the first trimester. It then worsens in the last trimester. The good news is that when your baby is born, your symptoms usually goaway. • Pregnancy can increase levels of the hormone progesterone, which can cause the muscles of the lower esophagus to relax. This makes it more likely that acid will reflux. Increased pressure on the stomach from a growing uterus can also increase a woman’s likelihood for havingGERD.

5. Symptoms include pain that gets worse after a meal and acid regurgitation. Because the symptoms tend to be temporary, a woman usually doesn’t experience the long-term complications associated with GERD, like ongoinginflammation. Doctors usually avoid prescribing too many medications while a woman is pregnant because the medicine can be passed along to the fetus. Instead, doctors usually recommend making lifestyle changes, such as avoiding foods known to cause acid reflux and sleeping with the head slightly elevated. Taking antacids that contain magnesium, aluminum, and calcium may be permitted. However, antacids with sodium bicarbonate should be avoided in pregnant women because they can affect a woman’s fluidvolumes. In addition to antacids, common heartburn medications that are typically considered safe in pregnancy include ranitidine (Zantac) and famotidine (Pepcid). For more severe cases, other medications known as proton pump inhibitors like lansoprazole (Prevacid) can often be used. Always check with your doctor before taking any over-the-counter medications during pregnancy. • How is GERDdiagnosed? • The typical tests that your doctor will use to help diagnose GERDinclude: • hour impedance-probe study: This study involves inserting a flexible tub into your nose and advancing it into the esophagus. The tube has sensors that can detect if acid is refluxing past the esophagus. • Upper endoscopy: This test involves using a special tube with a camera on its end. When you’re sedated, the tube can be passed from your mouth into your stomach and part of your small intestine. The upper endoscopy test can help a doctor identify any signs of damage, tumors, inflammation, or ulcers in these areas. Your doctor will usually take a tissue sample known as abiopsy. • Complications of GERD • Acid from the stomach can damage the lining of the esophagus if GERD is left untreated. This can cause: • bleeding • ulcers • scarring • The acid can also cause a change in the cells in the esophagus over time. This is called Barrett’s esophagus.About 10 to 15 percentof people with GERD will develop this condition. Barrett’s esophagus increases your risk for a type of esophageal cancer knownas

6. adenocarcinoma. Experts believe that most cases of this type of esophageal cancer start from cells within Barrett’stissue. • Home treatments forGERD • Eating certain foods are known to increase the amount of acid in the stomach, which can lead to symptoms of acid reflux and heartburn. Avoiding these foods may help to reduce symptoms without taking medications. Examplesinclude: • alcoholic beverages • chocolate • coffee • greasy and saltyfoods • high-fat foods • peppermint • spicyfoods • tomatoes and tomatoproducts • Making lifestyle changes such as: • avoidingsmoking • not wearing tight-fittingclothing • eating small meals instead of largeones • sitting upright for at least three hours aftereating • Also, if you are overweight, taking steps to reduce your weight can help. This includes healthy eating and exercising whenever possible. If you are not exercising regularly, a good goal is to strive for 30 minutes of exercise five times aweek. • For babies with GERD, a doctor might recommend diet changes, such as adding a small amount of rice cereal to breast milk or formula to thicken it to make reflux lesslikely. • Holding a baby upright during feeding, and at least 30 minutes after, may also reduce symptoms. Avoiding overfeeding can help aswell. • In older children, a doctor may recommend an elimination diet of foods known to aggravate acid reflux (these foods tend to be the same for children and adults). Raising the head of a child’s bed may also help avoid acid reflux symptoms. • If these measures don’t relieve a child’s symptoms, a doctor may prescribe medications that are similar to an adult’s but in smaller doses. It is important to see your doctor when changes are not helping or when symptoms occur twice a week ormore.

7. Medical treatments forGERD • Medications are available with and without a prescription for acid reflux andGERD. • Antacids: First-line treatments for acid reflux are usually antacids. These medicines act quickly to reduce the effect of stomach acid, which can relieve symptoms. Examples of these medicines are Tums andRolaids. • If these medicines don’t relieve acid reflux or a person has GERD, other treatments can include: • H2 blockers: H2 blockers are designed to reduce the amount of acid a person’s stomach produces. Sometimes taking these medicines with antacids can help. Examples of these medicines include: • cimetidine (Tagamet) • famotidine(Pepcid) • ranitidine(Zantac) • Proton pump inhibitors: These medications work longer than H2 blockers to reduce acid in the stomach. They can also help heal the stomach lining. Examplesinclude: • esomeprazole (Nexium) • omeprazole (Prilosec) • lansoprazole(Prevacid) • pantoprazole(Protonix) • Prokinetics: These are medications like metoclopramide (Reglan). There is controversy as to whether these medications benefit people with GERD. Many new prokinetics have been removed from the market due to serious side effectsTrustedSource. • If medications don’t reduce a person’s acid reflux symptoms, a doctor may recommend surgery to avoid further damage to the esophagus and stomach. One surgical approach is known as Nissen fundoplication. This involves wrapping a portion of your stomach around the esophagus to strengthen theLES. • When to call your doctor • Symptoms of heartburn are often mistaken for heart attack, but the two conditions are unrelated. You should call 911 immediately if your heartburn discomfort and chest pain changes or gets worse and is accompaniedby: • difficultybreathing • sweating

8. dizziness • pain in your arm orjaw • These symptoms can be symptoms of a heartattack. • Sometimes GERD symptoms can indicate the need for emergency medical treatment. These include: • experiencing regular, forceful (projectile)vomiting • having difficultybreathing • having difficultyswallowing • vomiting fluid with bright red blood or coffee-ground-likecontents • Not all heartburn requires medical care. Infrequent and mild heartburn can be treated with antacids and lifestyle changes, like avoiding spicy foods. Occasional reflux is not a cause for concern. You should consult a doctor if you have heartburn two or more times a week or if over-the-counter medications don’t relieve yourdiscomfort. Now that we’ve seen the difference between heartburn, acid reflux and GERD let’s discover how to get rid ofthem.

9. 10 Simple Ways toGet Rid ofHeartburn • Loosen clothing • Stand up straight • Elevate upper body • Bakingsoda • Ginger • Licorice • Apple cidervinegar • Chew gum • Stopsmoking • OTC medication • Takeaway • Overview • If you experience heartburn, you know the feeling well: a slight hiccup, followed by a burning sensation in your chest andthroat. • It may be triggered by the foods you eat, particularly spicy, fatty, or acidicfoods. • Or perhaps you have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a chronic condition with many potential causes. • Whatever the cause, heartburn is uncomfortable and inconvenient. What can you do when heartburn strikes? • We’ll go over some quick tips to get rid of heartburn,including: • wearing looseclothing • standing upstraight • elevating your upperbody • mixing baking soda withwater • tryingginger • taking licoricesupplements • sipping apple cidervinegar • chewing gum to help dilute acid • staying away from cigarettesmoke • trying over-the-countermedications

10. Loosen clothing Heartburn happens when the contents of your stomach rise up into your esophagus, where stomach acids can burn thetissue. In some cases, you might be having an episode of heartburn because tight clothing is compressing yourstomach. If that’s the case, the first thing to do is loosen your belt — or your pants, dress, or whatever else is holding youtight. Stand upstraight Your posture can also contribute to heartburn. If you’re sitting or lying down, try standing up. If you’re already standing, try standing up morestraightly. An upright posture puts less pressure on your lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Your LES is a ring of muscle that helps stop stomach acid from rising into youresophagus. Elevate your upperbody Lying down can make heartburn worse. When it comes time for bed, adjust your sleeping surface to raise your upperbody. According to the Mayo Clinic, lifting your head with extra pillows isn’t usually enough. Instead, the goal is to elevate your body from the waistup. If you have an adjustable bed, set it at a suitable angle to provide relief. If your bed isn’t adjustable, you can change the angle of your sleeping surface by using a wedgepillow. Mix baking soda withwater You might have a heartburn remedy at hand in your kitchen without even knowing it. Baking soda can calm some episodes of heartburn by neutralizing your stomachacid. To do this, dissolve a teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water and drink it slowly. In fact, you should drink everything slowly when you have heartburn. Tryginger Ginger has been used as a folk remedy for heartburn for centuries. Ginger can help relieveTrusted Source nausea, so some believe it may be worth trying for heartburn,too.

11. Consider adding grated or diced ginger root to your favorite stir-fry recipes, soups, and other foods. To make ginger tea, steep raw ginger root, dried ginger root, or ginger tea bags in boilingwater. It’s probably best to avoid ginger ale, though. Carbonated beverages are a common heartburn trigger, and most brands of ginger ale are made with artificial flavoring rather than the real thing. Take licoricesupplements Licorice root is another folk remedy that’s been used to treat heartburn. It’s believed that it might help increase the mucous coating of your esophageal lining, which may protect your esophagus from damage caused by stomachacid. Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) is a supplement that contains licorice that’s been processed to remove much of its glycyrrhizin, a compound that can cause adverse sideeffects. Eating too much licorice or DGL mayTrusted Source raise your blood pressure, lower your potassium levels, and interfere with certain medications. Always talk to your doctor before taking licorice or DGLsupplements. Sip apple cidervinegar Apple cider vinegar is another home remedy that some people use to treat heartburn, believing that it may neutralize stomachacid. One researcher suggested that drinking diluted apple cider vinegar after a meal may help alleviate heartburn for some people. However, these effects didn’t reach the level of statistical significance so more research isneeded. If you decide to try this remedy, dilute the apple cider vinegar with water and drink it after yourmeal. Chewgum According to 2014 researchTrusted Source, chewing gum for half an hour after meals may also help reduce heartburn. Chewing gum stimulates saliva production and swallowing. This might help dilute and clear stomach acid from youresophagus. Avoid cigarettesmoke You probably already know that smoking is bad for your health. But did you know that smoking can contribute to heartburn? If you’re a smoker and you get an attack of heartburn, don’t light up.

12. Smoking might be a go-to coping strategy when you’re uncomfortable, but it’s not going to make that burning feeling goaway. • Take over-the-counter heartburnmedication • There are plenty of over-the-counter (OTC) heartburn medications that are available for use. These medicines come in threeclasses: • antacids • H2 blockers • proton pump inhibitors(PPIs) • PPIs and H2 blockers reduce how much acid your stomach secretes, which can help prevent and reduce heartburn symptoms. Antacids neutralize stomachacid. • Thetakeaway • When heartburn hits, many over-the-counter treatments, home remedies, and lifestyle adjustments may providerelief. • Adjusting your daily habits can also help prevent heartburn symptoms from developing in the first place. For example, tryto: • avoid common heartburn triggers,such as fatty and spicyfoods • eat at least three hours before bedtime • avoid lying down aftereating • maintain a healthyweight • If you experience heartburn more than two or three times a week, talk to your doctor. In some cases, they might prescribe medications or othertreatments.

14. 8 Simple Ways toGet Rid ofAcid Reflux/GERD • Aim for a healthyweight • While heartburn can happen to anyone, GERD seems to be most prevalent in adults who are overweight or obese. • Excess weight— especially in the abdominal area — puts more pressure on the stomach. As a result, you’re at an increased risk of stomach acids working back into the esophagus and causingheartburn. • If you’re overweight, the Mayo Clinic suggests a steady weight loss planof 1 or 2 pounds per week. On the flip side, if you’re already considered to be at a healthy weight, then make sure you maintain it with a healthy dietand regularexercise. • Know which foods and drinks toavoid • No matter what your weight, there are certain known trigger foods and drinksthat can increase your risk for acid reflux. With GERD, you should be especially wary of items that can lead to symptoms. Try avoiding the following foods andbeverages: • tomato sauce and other tomato-basedproducts • high-fat foods, such as fast food productsand greasyfoods • fried foods • citrus fruitjuices • soda • caffeine • chocolate • garlic • onions • mint • alcohol • By limiting or avoiding these triggers altogether, you may experience fewer symptoms. You may also want to keep a food journal to help identify problemfoods. • Shop for a foodjournal.

15. Eat a little, sit up a littlelonger • Eating smaller meals puts less pressure on the stomach, which can prevent the backflow of stomach acids. By eating smaller amounts of food more frequently, you can reduce heartburn and eat fewer caloriesoverall. • It’s also important to avoid lying down after eating. Doing so can triggerheartburn. • The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)recommends waiting three hours after eating. Once you go to bed, try elevating your head with pillows to avoid nighttime heartburn. • Eat foods thathelp • There’s no one magic food that can treat acid reflux. Still, in addition to avoiding trigger foods, a few other dietary changes canhelp. • First, the American Academy of Family Physiciansrecommends low-fat, high-proteinmeals. Reducing dietary fat intake can subsequently decrease your symptoms, while getting enough proteinand fiberwill keep you full and preventovereating. • Try incorporating some of these foods into your diet to help your acid reflux.After each meal, you may even consider chewing non-mint gum.This can help increase saliva in your mouth and keep acid out of theesophagus. • Shop for non-mint gum. • Quitsmoking • In case you needed another reason to quit smoking, heartburn is one of them. And this is a big one for people withGERD. • Smoking damages the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which is responsible for preventing stomach acids from backing up. When the muscles of the LES are weakened from smoking, you may experience more frequent heartburn episodes. It’s time to quit smoking. You will feel better. • Secondhand smokecan also be problematic if you’re fighting acid reflux or GERD. Here are some tips to help you quitsmoking. • Explore potential herbalremedies • The following herbs have been used forGERD: • chamomile • licorice • marshmallow • slipperyelm

16. These are available in supplement and tincture form, as well asteas. The downside to these herbs is that there aren’t enough studies to prove that they can actually treat GERD. Furthermore, they might interfere with medications you may take — check with a doctor beforeuse. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) FDA doesn’t monitor herbs andsupplements. However, personal testimonials report that herbs can be a natural and effective way to reduce the symptoms of GERD. Be sure to purchase herbs from a reputablesource. Avoid tightclothing There’s nothing wrong with wearing tight clothing — that is, unless you’re experiencing GERD symptoms. Wearing clothes that are too tight can increase acid reflux episodes. This is especially the case with tight bottoms and belts: Both place unnecessary pressure on the abdomen, thereby contributing to your heartburn risk. For the sake of acid reflux, loosen up yourclothing. Try relaxation techniques GERD itself can be very stressful. Since esophageal muscles play a large role in keeping stomach acids down where they belong, it may help to learn techniques that can relax both your body andmind. Yogahas enormous benefits by promoting mind-body awareness. If you’re not a yogi, you can even try quiet meditationand deep breathingfor a few minutes several times a day to tame your stresslevels. Outlook Home remedies can help alleviate the occasional heartburn episode, as well as some cases of GERD. When prolonged, uncontrolled acid reflux occurs, you put yourself at a higher risk of esophageal damage. This can include ulcers,a narrowed esophagus,and even esophageal cancer. Still, it’s important to know that home remedies alone may not work for acid reflux and GERD. Talk to a gastroenterologist about how some of these remedies can complement a medical treatmentplan. Sources:https://www.healthline.com/health/gerd/heartburn-vs-acid-reflux&hl=en-MG If you’re interested by discovering other natural methods to get rid of your heartburn or acid reflux problem. Check the imagebelow.