Say NO To Heartburn! Know The Best Remedies To Combat It

Heartburn is a common complaint in certain situations (such as after eating a very spicy and greasy meal), and it usually resolves in a short time with changes in eating habits and some over-the-counter medications. It does not usually represent a serious health problem in most cases.

Below we will tell you more about this common condition, how you should act in case of heartburn, what you should take advantage of and what you should avoid to feel better.

A little more about heartburn

Mayo Clinic experts explain that “heartburn occurs when stomach acid returns to the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach (esophagus). ” This, in turn, can be caused by issues such as:

• Stress.
• Overweight.
• Pregnancy.
• Poor diet in general.
• Consumption of excessively fatty or spicy foods.
• Intake of alcohol, caffeinated beverages, and carbonated beverages.
• Regular consumption of some medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, potassium and iron supplements, oral contraceptives, sedatives, among others.

In general, in mild cases, you can go to the pharmacy and buy antacids and medications specially designed to provide relief in case of reflux. To do this, you can consult with the pharmacist about it to take the most indicated.

On the other hand, when the reflux is accompanied by other symptoms, is frequent and intense, and prevents a normal life, the person should go to their doctor for an appropriate treatment.

In any case, it is essential to improve lifestyle habits and follow the instructions of a specialist. Mainly as far as diet is concerned.

Reflux patients are asked to avoid the consumption of foods, drinks and drugs that can intensify the discomfort or cause a heartburn crisis. Among them the following can be mentioned:

• Coffee.
• Garlic.
• Mint.
• Tobacco.
• Alcohol.
• Dairy products.
• Onion.
• Sugars
• Citrus
• Chocolate.
• Refined.
• Industrial pastries.
• Tomato and its derivatives.
• Any food that is fried or especially high in fat.
• Spices such as cinnamon, cloves, ginger, or pepper.

It may interest you: 5 harmful foods that you include in your regular diet

Beneficial foods that can be used as heartburn remedies

From the portal of the National Institutes of Health, experts indicate that, to obtain relief, “eating healthy and balanced amounts of different types of food is good for general health.” And they emphasize how convenient it is to avoid eating only 3 main meals a day, since these are too heavy for the stomach.

Instead, they recommend eating several small meals a day (5-6), which include the following foods that we are going to indicate below.

• Potato.
• Carrots
• White rice.
• Lean meats
• Whole grains.
• Skim milk.
• Apple juice.
• Chamomile infusion.
• Vegetable soups and creams.
• Nonfat plain yogurt.
• Fresh fruits, within the tropical varieties, the most recommended is usually papaya, due to its digestive properties.

Potato juice and olive oil, a home remedy

Although there is no scientific evidence to support its effectiveness, in the popular sphere it is said that in the past it was recommended to carry out a ninth (nine days) taking the preparation of the juice of a quarter of a well-washed raw potato (approximately a quarter or a third of a glass ) and peeled mixed with two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil.

This anti-inflammatory and alkalizing preparation may contribute to relief, but it is not a cure as such. 

Baking soda water, another option for relief

The MSD Manual states that “sodium bicarbonate and calcium carbonate, the strongest antacids, can be taken in some cases for quick, short-term relief.” However, these remedies must be used with care, as they can cause weakness.

On the other hand, it should be noted that its consumption should not be exceeded in any case (that is, take water with sodium bicarbonate several times a day) and it must be taken into account that this remedy is totally contraindicated for people with high blood pressure ( hypertension), and people with heart failure.

Do you have heartburn? If so, we invite you to consult with your doctor about what is the most convenient for you to obtain relief. Additionally, you can take into account everything that we have previously commented to you. Remember, although eating healthy and improving your lifestyle is important, the main thing is to always follow the professional’s instructions.