What Helps with Heartburn?

Heartburn is a common condition that causes a burning sensation in the chest. It occurs when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus, the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach. Heartburn can be a very uncomfortable and painful condition. It can also lead to more serious problems, such as esophageal cancer.

There are many things that can help to relieve heartburn, including:

What Helps with Heartburn

Many things can help relieve heartburn, including:

• Avoid trigger foods
• Eat smaller meals
• Lose weight
• Elevate your head
• Avoid tight clothing
• Take antacids
• Use H2 blockers
• Take proton pump inhibitors
• Get surgery
• Make lifestyle changes

If you have frequent or severe heartburn, it is important to see a doctor to rule out any underlying medical conditions.

Avoid Trigger Foods

One of the best ways to prevent heartburn is to avoid foods that trigger it. Common trigger foods include:

• Fatty foods: Fatty foods, such as fried foods, fatty meats, and high-fat dairy products, can relax the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), allowing stomach acid to back up into the esophagus.
  

Spicy foods: Spicy foods can irritate the lining of the esophagus and make heartburn worse.

Chocolate: Chocolate contains caffeine and theobromine, which can both relax the LES and worsen heartburn.

Coffee: Coffee contains caffeine, which can relax the LES and worsen heartburn.

If you are unsure what foods trigger your heartburn, keep a food diary to track what you eat and when you experience heartburn. Once you identify your trigger foods, you can avoid them and reduce your risk of heartburn.

Eat Smaller Meals

Eating smaller meals can help to reduce heartburn by:

• Reducing the amount of food in your stomach: When you eat a large meal, your stomach is stretched and more likely to push stomach acid up into the esophagus.
  

Emptying your stomach more quickly: Smaller meals empty out of the stomach more quickly than large meals, reducing the amount of time that stomach acid is in contact with the esophagus.

Helping you to feel full faster: Eating smaller meals more frequently can help you to feel full faster, reducing the likelihood that you will overeat.

If you suffer from heartburn, try eating smaller meals more frequently throughout the day. Aim for 5-6 small meals instead of 2-3 large meals.

Lose Weight

If you are overweight or obese, losing weight can help to reduce heartburn by:

Reducing pressure on the abdomen: Excess weight can put pressure on the abdomen, which can push stomach acid up into the esophagus.

Improving the function of the LES: Losing weight can help to improve the function of the LES, making it less likely to relax and allow stomach acid to back up into the esophagus.

Reducing inflammation: Obesity is associated with inflammation, which can irritate the esophagus and make it more susceptible to heartburn.

Changing the composition of gut microbiota: Obesity is also associated with changes in the composition of gut microbiota, which can lead to an increase in the production of stomach acid.

If you are overweight or obese and suffer from heartburn, talk to your doctor about a healthy weight loss plan. Even a modest amount of weight loss can make a big difference in reducing your heartburn symptoms.

Losing weight can be challenging, but there are many resources available to help you. Talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian to develop a weight loss plan that is right for you.

Elevate Your Head

Elevating your head while sleeping can help to reduce heartburn by:

Preventing stomach acid from flowing back into the esophagus: When you lie down, stomach acid is more likely to flow back into the esophagus. Elevating your head raises the level of the stomach above the esophagus, making it less likely for stomach acid to back up.

Improving the function of the LES: Elevating your head can help to improve the function of the LES, making it less likely to relax and allow stomach acid to back up into the esophagus.

Reducing pressure on the abdomen: Elevating your head can help to reduce pressure on the abdomen, which can help to prevent stomach acid from being pushed up into the esophagus.

To elevate your head while sleeping, you can use a wedge pillow or prop up your head with pillows. Aim to elevate your head by at least 6 inches.

Elevating your head while sleeping is a simple and effective way to reduce heartburn. If you suffer from heartburn, try elevating your head by 6 inches or more and see if it helps to reduce your symptoms.

Avoid Tight Clothing

Wearing tight clothing around the waist can increase pressure on the abdomen, which can push stomach acid up into the esophagus. This can lead to heartburn and other symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

• Tight pants: Tight pants can put pressure on the abdomen and push stomach acid up into the esophagus.
  

Tight belts: Tight belts can also put pressure on the abdomen and worsen heartburn.

Corsets: Corsets are also known to increase abdominal pressure and worsen heartburn.

If you suffer from heartburn, it is best to avoid wearing tight clothing around the waist. Opt for loose, comfortable clothing that does not put pressure on your abdomen.

Take Antacids

Antacids are medications that can help to neutralize stomach acid and relieve heartburn. They are available over-the-counter in a variety of forms, including tablets, liquids, and chewable tablets.

• Calcium carbonate: Calcium carbonate is a common antacid that is effective at neutralizing stomach acid. It is available in a variety of forms, including tablets, liquids, and chewable tablets.
  

Sodium bicarbonate: Sodium bicarbonate is another common antacid that is effective at neutralizing stomach acid. It is available in a variety of forms, including tablets, liquids, and powders.

Aluminum hydroxide: Aluminum hydroxide is an antacid that is often combined with other antacids to improve their effectiveness. It is available in a variety of forms, including tablets, liquids, and powders.

Antacids can be an effective way to relieve occasional heartburn. However, they should not be used for more than two weeks without talking to a doctor. If you have frequent or severe heartburn, it is important to see a doctor to rule out any underlying medical conditions.

Use H2 Blockers

H2 blockers are medications that work by reducing the production of stomach acid. They are available over-the-counter and by prescription.

H2 blockers are effective at relieving heartburn and other symptoms of GERD. They are generally safe for most people to take, but they can cause side effects such as diarrhea, constipation, and headache.

Common H2 blockers include:

• Cimetidine (Tagamet)
• Famotidine (Pepcid)
• Nizatidine (Axid)
• Ranitidine (Zantac)

H2 blockers are typically taken once or twice a day. They can be taken on an empty stomach or with food.

If you are taking an H2 blocker, it is important to take it as directed by your doctor or pharmacist. Do not take more than the recommended dosage.

H2 blockers can be an effective way to relieve heartburn and other symptoms of GERD. However, they should not be used for more than two weeks without talking to a doctor. If you have frequent or severe heartburn, it is important to see a doctor to rule out any underlying medical conditions.

Take Proton Pump Inhibitors

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are medications that work by blocking the production of stomach acid. They are available by prescription only.

• Omeprazole (Prilosec): Omeprazole is a PPI that is effective at reducing stomach acid production. It is available in a variety of forms, including tablets, capsules, and liquids.
  

Esomeprazole (Nexium): Esomeprazole is a PPI that is similar to omeprazole. It is available in a variety of forms, including tablets, capsules, and liquids.

Rabeprazole (Aciphex): Rabeprazole is a PPI that is effective at reducing stomach acid production. It is available in a variety of forms, including tablets, capsules, and liquids.

PPIs are typically taken once a day. They can be taken on an empty stomach or with food.

Get Surgery

Surgery is an option for people with severe heartburn that does not respond to other treatments. The goal of surgery is to prevent stomach acid from flowing back into the esophagus.

There are two main types of surgery for heartburn:

• Nissen fundoplication: This is the most common type of surgery for heartburn. In this procedure, the surgeon wraps the upper part of the stomach around the lower part of the esophagus. This creates a valve that prevents stomach acid from flowing back into the esophagus.
• LINX procedure: This is a newer type of surgery for heartburn. In this procedure, the surgeon places a small magnetic ring around the lower part of the esophagus. The ring tightens when you swallow, preventing stomach acid from flowing back into the esophagus.

Surgery for heartburn is generally safe and effective. However, it is important to weigh the risks and benefits of surgery before making a decision.

If you are considering surgery for heartburn, talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of the procedure. You should also discuss your options for non-surgical treatment.

Make Lifestyle Changes

There are a number of lifestyle changes you can make to help reduce heartburn, including:

• Avoid trigger foods: Keep a food diary to track what you eat and when you experience heartburn. Once you identify your trigger foods, avoid them as much as possible.
  

Eat smaller meals: Eating large meals can put pressure on your stomach and cause heartburn. Instead, eat smaller meals more frequently throughout the day.

Elevate your head: When you lie down, stomach acid is more likely to flow back into your esophagus. To prevent this, elevate your head by at least 6 inches when you sleep.

Quit smoking: Smoking can relax the LES and increase your risk of heartburn. If you smoke, talk to your doctor about quitting.

Avoid caffeine: Caffeine can also relax the LES and increase your risk of heartburn. If you are sensitive to caffeine, avoid coffee, tea, and other caffeinated beverages.

Making these lifestyle changes can help to reduce your risk of heartburn and improve your quality of life.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about heartburn:

Question 1: What is heartburn?
Answer 1: Heartburn is a burning sensation in the chest that occurs when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus.

Question 2: What are the symptoms of heartburn?
Answer 2: The most common symptom of heartburn is a burning sensation in the chest. Other symptoms can include a sour taste in the mouth, difficulty swallowing, and a feeling of fullness or bloating in the stomach.

Question 3: What causes heartburn?
Answer 3: Heartburn can be caused by a variety of factors, including eating trigger foods, eating large meals, being overweight or obese, smoking, drinking alcohol, and pregnancy.

Question 4: How can I prevent heartburn?
Answer 4: There are a number of things you can do to prevent heartburn, including avoiding trigger foods, eating smaller meals, losing weight, elevating your head when you sleep, avoiding tight clothing, quitting smoking, and reducing alcohol consumption.

Question 5: How can I treat heartburn?
Answer 5: There are a number of things you can do to treat heartburn, including taking antacids, H2 blockers, or proton pump inhibitors, and making lifestyle changes.

Question 6: When should I see a doctor about heartburn?
Answer 6: You should see a doctor if you have frequent or severe heartburn, or if you have heartburn that does not respond to over-the-counter medications.

Question 7: Can heartburn lead to serious health problems?
Answer 7: In some cases, heartburn can lead to serious health problems, such as esophageal cancer. However, this is rare.

If you have any questions about heartburn, talk to your doctor.

In addition to the information in this FAQ, there are a number of other things you can do to help manage heartburn. These include keeping a food diary to track your trigger foods, eating a healthy diet, and getting regular exercise.

Tips

Here are a few tips for managing heartburn:

Tip 1: Keep a food diary: Keeping a food diary can help you to identify your trigger foods. Once you know what foods trigger your heartburn, you can avoid them.

Tip 2: Eat a healthy diet: Eating a healthy diet can help to reduce your risk of heartburn. Choose foods that are low in fat and acid, and high in fiber.

Tip 3: Get regular exercise: Getting regular exercise can help to improve your overall health and well-being, and it can also help to reduce your risk of heartburn.

Tip 4: Manage stress: Stress can make heartburn worse. Find healthy ways to manage stress, such as exercise, yoga, or meditation.

Following these tips can help you to manage your heartburn and improve your quality of life.

If you have tried these tips and you are still experiencing heartburn, talk to your doctor. There may be an underlying medical condition that is causing your heartburn.

Conclusion

Heartburn is a common condition that can be caused by a variety of factors. There are a number of things you can do to prevent and treat heartburn, including avoiding trigger foods, eating smaller meals, losing weight, elevating your head when you sleep, avoiding tight clothing, quitting smoking, and reducing alcohol consumption.

If you have frequent or severe heartburn, talk to your doctor. There may be an underlying medical condition that is causing your heartburn.

Closing Message: Heartburn is a common and treatable condition. By following the tips in this article, you can reduce your risk of heartburn and improve your quality of life.