Have you had that horrible, burning feeling in your chest? Often it is right below the breastbone. That is likely heartburn. Or maybe you have a pain in your neck, throat, or jaw. That can also be a symptom of heartburn. So can a sour or bitter taste in the mouth or throat. Heartburn can also cause a chronic cough – it can even make one think they could have asthma.
Heartburn often happens after overindulging at dinnertime. It can also happen when you fie down, bend over, or even cough. Whether your symptoms are extreme or mild, it is a very unpleasant sensation. You’ll want the best heartburn relief.
What Causes Heartburn?
When the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxes, the stomach allows some of the gastric acid back into the esophagus. This burning is also known as reflux. The action of peristalsis, along with the lower esophageal sphincter holding tight and not allowing the acid to escape, moves the food we eat forward. When it goes backwards, it can be painful. You want heartburn relief!
Best Foods To Avoid – And To Eat
There are certain foods and drinks that make heartburn more likely to occur. These include, fatty or spicy foods, citrus fruits, chocolate, tomatoes, and peppermint. Caffeine is also a culprit, so one of the best ways to find heartburn relief is to limit the consumption of coffee and other caffeine-filled foods and drinks. One should also limit alcohol and smoking, as these also irritate the body and can make heartburn more likely.
A better choice is to eat things like apples, potatoes, and breads, as they are less irritating to the digestive track.
Other Healthy Habits To Best Heartburn Relief
One of the best ways to relieve heartburn is to slow down when you eat. Usually, eating is not a competitive sport where we need to inhale our food. Many people enjoy making meals a leisurely event, where the family eats more slowly together, enjoying the company as well as the food. Some people put their fork down between bites.
If you’ve never been much of a gum chewer, you might want to reconsider if you tend to get heartburn. Chewing gum can help the body make more saliva, which helps the digestive process. Consider chewing gum just for a little bit after meals to help your digestion get off to a good start.
Drinking some lukewarm water can also help relieve heartburn by helping digestion. So can staying more upright after eating – rather than laying down for a nap – a few hours is enough to help the process along.