How to Cure Heartburn
Education
1. What is Heartburn?
Heartburn is often described as a burning feeling in the chest. About 20% of Americans experience Heartburn symptoms on a weekly basis.
2. What causes Heartburn?
Foods that are highly acidic can cause Heartburn. Dairy, Chocolate, Red Meat, Onions, Peppermint, Soda, and Alcohol are a few examples of foods that often trigger Heartburn symptoms. Spicy foods are also known to cause Heartburn.
3. How is Heartburn or Acid Reflux treated?
These digestive issues are often treated with OTC medications like Tums, Rolaids, and Mylanta. Life style changes such as loosing weight, eating an alkaline diet, and quitting smoking, are recommended. When symptoms are severe, PPI’s or H2 Blockers may also be prescribed by your doctor. Natural Supplements can also be helpful when trying to treat these conditions.
4. What is Acid Reflux?
Acid Reflux is the backwards flow of stomach acid or tiny food particles, into the Esophagus. Most people, who believe they have Heartburn, actually have Acid Reflux as well.
5. What are the symptoms of Acid Reflux?
Common symptoms include sore throat, coughing, burning in throat, regurgitation, a feeling of needing to clear your throat, nausea.
6. What causes Acid Reflux?
There are a few potential causes of Acid Reflux. Hiatal Hernia, Weakened Lower Esophageal Sphincter, Slow Digestion, Obesity, Smoking, and Diet can all contribute to Acid Reflux symptoms. Eliminating acidic foods from your diet, and adding foods that are alkaline in nature, is a good choice.
7. What is GERD?
GERD, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, is the result of frequent Heartburn/Acid Reflux. It is the disease that develops from the harmful effects of these digestive issues.
8. What are the symptoms of GERD?
The symptoms of GERD are pretty similar to the symptoms of Heartburn and Acid Reflux, because GERD is the consequence/ result of having these conditions.
Some common symptoms include:
Burning or aching in chest, bitter taste in your throat, nausea, feeling of lump in throat, trouble swallowing, mucus or PND (Post Nasal Drip), sore throat, and coughing. If you have any of these symptoms on a frequent basis, you could have GERD.
9. How to cure GERD?
If your doctor diagnoses you with GERD, he/she will usually prescribe a prescription medication. The most common prescriptions for this condition are PPI’s and H2 Blockers. These medications suppress and reduce stomach acid. Using Natural Supplements to help support a healthy Digestive System can also be beneficial.
10. What is Esophagitis?
The tube that food travels through to get to your Stomach is called the Esophagus. Esophagitis is one of the complications that can be caused by frequent heartburn/acid reflux And GERD. When Esophagitis is diagnosed, it means that inflammation and irritation is found in the Esophagus. If left untreated, Esophagitis can be very serious. It can lead to ulcers, narrowing of the Esophagus, or a dangerous condition known as Barrett's Esophagus.
11. What are the symptoms of Esophagitis?
Feeling Of Lump In Throat/ Hard To Swallow Food, Sore Throat, PND (Post Nasal Drip), Chest Pain Or Dull Ache Behind Breastbone, Cough, Nausea, Hoarse Voice/Congested Feeling
12. What is Barrett’s Esophagus?
Barrett's Esophagus is when the cells in the tissue of the Esophagus lining start to change. They start to look more like the cells from the intestines. This is because they have become weakened, and eroded, from frequent Acid Reflux. When cells start to become "abnormal", there is a chance for Cancer cells to grow and develop over time.
13. What Natural Supplements help to cure Heartburn?
If you are suffering from heartburn, acid reflux, GERD, or any other Digestive system related illnesses, Don’t Despair! Although you may need to take OTC or prescription medications to help alleviate symptoms and heal your body, you can also try treating your symptoms in a more holistic, and natural way.
Nature provides us with so many herbs/ spices/ roots that are nutritious and packed full of antioxidants. These Natural Supplements can treat, and even prevent, many of the illnesses and diseases that are so common today.
Some of the healthiest, most beneficial ingredients that can be easily added to our diets, or vitamin/ supplement routines are: Tumeric, Licorice, Slippery Elm, Marshmallow Root, Super Greens, Ginger, Fiber, And Probiotics.