If you’ve ever suffered heartburn, then you know just how annoying it can be! Heartburn occurs when excess stomach acid moves past the ring of muscle that allows food to enter the stomach. Sometimes, this ring loosens and the stomach acid washes up into the oesophagus, causing discomfort and a burning sensation.
Relief from Heartburn
If we’ve eaten too much, or had too much spicy food, you’ll often feel bloated and overfull. But how do you know if you are suffering from heartburn? Look out for these common symptoms:
- A sensation of burning that is in the region of the upper abdomen, just behind the sternum.
- Some people suffer chest pain that can be mistaken for a heart attack or other cardiac illness. If in doubt, it is always best to see a doctor or call for an ambulance. If you have just eaten, have eaten something especially spicy, or have other symptoms on this list, it is most likely to be heartburn. If the symptoms disappear when you take an antacid or a product like Zantac, it is more than likely heartburn.
- You may sometimes have an acidic feeling at the back of your throat. Sometimes a little bile is also thrown up into the back of the throat.
- A cough or sore throat that is due to the irritation that the excess acid is causing the oesophagus. For some people with chronic heartburn or acid reflux, this can be a daily problem and should be diagnosed by a gastroenterologist.
- A full feeling in the throat or chest akin to a lump of trapped food.
When heartburn symptoms strike, most people reach for a glass of milk. The addition of milk to the stomach does provide some short term relief because it alkalises the stomach’s contents briefly. The problem is that this doesn’t actually fix the root of the issue, and so heartburn returns soon after. Alternatively, some people use tablets containing magnesium. This also alkalises the stomach with much the same net effect of a glass of milk.
Some Other Remedies for Heartburn
If you don’t have any medication or antacid to hand, you could try some popular home remedies for relieving heartburn. Some of these remedies are even recommended for those suffering long-term acid reflux and heartburn problems:
- Chewing gum after a meal can actually help to wash away excess acid in the stomach as more saliva is produced and swallowed.
- Heartburn symptoms always seem to be much worse at night because you’re lying down. In this position, stomach acid can wash back up into the oesophagus more easily. If you simply elevate your sleeping position, you can help to prevent the contents of your stomach from moving into your oesophagus.
- By drinking more acid, including apple cider vinegar, you can actually trigger that small muscular ring at the top of your stomach to close tightly. Often, heartburn is caused because there isn’t enough acid in the stomach and the muscular sphincter doesn’t close properly!
Relief from Heartburn
Whether you choose to take popular medication available from the chemist or pharmacy, or try some home remedies, the symptoms of heartburn can be alleviated. Be on the lookout for the common symptoms of heartburn, and if you are in any doubt, see your doctor or specialist.