Heartburn is a common, but extremely uncomfortable, affliction that millions of people suffer from. If you often feel an uncomfortable burning sensation after you eat, or if you feel queasy and discomfort in your stomach after a meal, you may be suffering from heartburn or acid reflux. Finding natural ways to get rid of heartburn is important if you want to avoid these unpleasant sensations.
Fortunately, there are some effective remedies that you can use at home to minimize the effects of heartburn. By keeping these ideas in mind, you can make sure that you are able to eat your meals without feeling uncomfortable.
When dealing with heartburn, there are two basic forms of treatment. First of all, you can take steps to prevent an attack from happening in the first place. Second, you can use remedies to deal with an attack that has already begun. Arming yourself with the knowledge of each type of treatment is important so that you are ready to deal with whatever happens.
To prevent heartburn from occurring at all, you need to make sure that you identify the foods that most commonly trigger an attack. These foods can differ from person to person, but certain foods are more likely to cause problems than others. Acidic foods, such as tomatoes or orange juice, can often cause heartburn, as can chocolate, mint, and coffee. It all depends on your body, so keep in mind that some foods don’t affect others, where as it does affect you, and vice-versa.
When you eat your meals, be sure to sit upright afterwards. Lying down too soon after a meal can let the acid come back up out of your stomach and cause an attack. Chew your meals slowly and try not to eat too much at one sitting. Overeating is a common cause of acid reflux.
Once an attack has begun, however, you will need some fast and effective ways to get rid of heartburn. Sometimes, drinking some water can help, since this can wash the stomach acid back out of your esophagus. If this does not work, you can try having a glass of ginger tea.
Ginger has been used as a remedy for various digestive ailments, including heartburn, for thousands of years. Steep some grated ginger root in boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes and then drink it. It will help to relax your esophageal muscles and calm your stomach. They even have ginger chewing gum on the market that targets the problem within minutes of putting it in your mouth.
Other herbs that can be helpful for heartburn include fennel, anise, and chamomile. Making a tea out of any of these can help to soothe your digestive system. While mint can be helpful for intestinal troubles, it can actually exacerbate heartburn, so avoid peppermint tea during an attack.
Baking soda is another common remedy for indigestion and heartburn. The basic nature of baking soda will help to neutralize the acid in your stomach so that it does not produce as many problems. Half a teaspoon of baking soda in a small glass of water can really help.
By finding natural ways to rid yourself of heartburn, you can make sure that you do not suffer too much discomfort after eating. We are confident that these natural procedures will give you the relief that you are looking for.