Stop Heartburn
How to stop heartburn
Heartburn occurs when there is too much acid in the stomach and it begins to overflow into the esophagus, and just a little taste of the problem will have anyone dropping what they are doing and looking for ways to stop heartburn. Of course the easiest way to stop heartburn is to avoid it altogether, but first you have to understand what triggers your heartburn.
Common causes of heartburn
The most common cause of heartburn is simply eating the wrong foods. Very greasy food can trigger heartburn, as can acidic foods like oranges. Other culprits include very spicy goods.
Another common cause of heartburn is being overweight or being pregnant. The reason all that extra weight can trigger heartburn is because it presses down on the stomach, sort of squeezing the acid right up the esophagus. In cases like these and other cases in which you can’t avoid it altogether, you will have to take other actions to stop heartburn.
Lifestyle changes
In many cases, some basic lifestyle changes like losing weight or quitting smoking can go a long way toward the long term goal of stopping heartburn. Other small changes like drinking a lot of water can also help with the long term goal. Water neutralizes stomach acid, which means it cuts back on how much acid is in your stomach. Another thing you might do (when you’re alone anyway) is letting some burps fly. Often heartburn can be relieved by letting some of that excess gas out of your stomach.
You also might try tilting the head of your bed about six inches off of the floor. This encourages the stomach acid to stay right where it belongs: in your stomach.
Immediate methods for stopping heartburn
The most obvious method for stopping heartburn immediately is to take antacids. There are many antacids available over-the-counter, and they can provide short term relief in very little time. Just remember that if you use antacids too much, you may begin to experience diarrhea or constipation. One that contains aluminum hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide together should minimize these side effects.
Medications for heartburn
If antacids aren’t enough to take care of your heartburn problems, then you should certainly see a doctor. Doctors can prescribe several different kinds of medications to treat heartburn. Some H2 blockers like Pepcid are even available over the counter. H2 blockers reduce the amount of acid made by the stomach. There are also other classes of medications that work in different ways to control the amount of acid your stomach produces, so don’t be discouraged if the first medication you try just doesn’t work.
You should also remember that all medications have side effects, so be sure to report any side effects to your doctor. That being said, remember that other medications you’re taking may even be causing the excessive heartburn. Always be sure to tell your doctor about every medication you are taking because you just never know which one may be causing side effects.