Heartburn Cures

Heartburn…you know that horrible feeling you get when you eat too much or too spicey a food.  There are some ways to treat occasional heartburn that doesn’t require going to your doctor.So how can you prevent or cure Heartburn?

• Eating too much can force the acids from your stomach up into your esophagus.
• Avoid those greasy and fried fatty foods.  They will stay in your stomach too long before they start to digest.
• Milk isn’t the best choice when trying to soothe your heartburn.  It might feel cool when drinking it, but it can actually get those acids in your stomach all stirred up.
• Watch eating too much mint.  Mint can make your esophagus relax too much, which allows stomach acid to escape.
• Avoid too much caffeine. If you are having a problem with heartburn, the caffeine can irritate the problem.
• Put down the chocolate.  Chocolate is fatty and all caffeine, so it is something you want to avoid if there is even a hint of heartburn.
• Sodas can cause your stomach to expand which causes you the same kinds of problems as overeating.
• Smoking (even second hand smoke) can increase acid production.
• Eat at least 2 1/2 hours before going to bed.
• Don’t wear too tight a clothing (pants, belts, etc).  This restrains your stomach which might push those stomach acids upwards.
• Relax…take some time to chill out.  Stress can cause your heartburn.

There are things you can take for heartburn, such as:

• Antacids that you can buy in the store do help.  Just watch how many you take and for how long.  If you are taking them everyday, several times a day, you might want to check with your doctor to make sure you aren’t over doing it.  You are trying to cure the problem, not cover it up.
• Drink 1 teaspoon of apple-cider vinegar in 8 ounces of water at each meal.  Believe me this works.
• Try taking some Ginger tablets after you eat.  Ginger ale can also help, just watch that you don’t drink it too fast.  I know I said sodas are something you should stay away from, but if you have some ginger ale around the house you can drink it when you have heartburn and it can help.
• Take gentian root or goldenseal tablets before you eat
• Use mustard instead of mayonnaise on your sandwiches.   Mustard acts sort of like the vinegar…it is a good acid that will help calm the stomach acid that has gotten out-of-control.
• Chewing gum.  Gum helps produce saliva, which helps neutralize those acids.