Heartburn occurs when the lower esophagus
muscles become weak or relax when they should not, causing acid from the
stomach to flow in the esophagus. Heartburn is often characterized by a burning
sensation behind the breastbone and throat. Some people experience heartburn at
night when they lie down. Other causes of heartburn may include eating spicy
food, caffeine, or eating a large meal before bed. Over the counter medicines
can help soothe heartburn. However making a few lifestyle changes can help get
rid of heartburn for good. Listed below are some of the most effective on how to cure heartburn.
1. Baking soda - Baking soda has a higher
PH and hence helps neutralize stomach acid. One spoon of baking soda mixed with
water can help get rid of the burning, painful sensation caused by heartburn.
When neutralized, the stomach acid will not burn you when it comes up your
esophagus
Steps
· Get half to one tablespoon of baking soda
and a glass of water (not more than 8 ounces)
· Add the baking soda to the glass of water
· Drink the mixture. Repeat whenever you
feel a heartburn coming. However do not take more than 3 tablespoons of baking
soda in one day as it can cause side
Baking soda has high levels of salt and should
not be made a long term remedy for heartburn
2. Chewing gum- Studies show that chewing
sugar free gum for around 30 minutes after eating can help relief heartburn.
Chewing gum helps stimulate the production and flow of saliva. The saliva helps
dilute wash down excess acid that may have built up in the gut. The clearing of
stomach acid helps prevent or reduce heartburn the excess acid is taken back to
the stomach, where it ought to be. Make sure to get sugar free gum and not just
any gum to help cure your heartburn.
Steps
· Have/ Buy sugar free gum
· Pop one piece of sugar free gum after
meals and chew for around thirty minutes to get rid of heartburn
3. Aloe Vera- Aloe has been used for
centuries to help soothe sunburns and burns; however, it has more potential
than that. Aloe has properties that make it the herb effective to cure
inflammation. When your throat and chest starts burning up, drinking a glass of
aloe can help calm things down.
Steps
· Drink half a cup of aloe Vera before
meals to keep heartburn at bay
· Some aloe Vera brands have a laxative,
look for a brand that has doesn’t have he laxative effect
4. Watch your diet- Watching your diet is
one of the most effective ways of preventing and curing heartburn. Some foods
have been known to cause heartburn when eaten
Steps
· Watching what you eat- Certain foods have
been known to trigger heartburn. Avoid spicy food, caffeine, fast foods etc to
keep heartburn away. Instead, eat plenty of fruits and vegetables to help keep
the stomach acid down.
· Watching when you eat- Studies have shown
that eating just before you go to bed puts pressure on the esophagus,
triggering a heartburn. Eat around 3- 4 hours before going to bed to allow for
digestion and to avoid excess acid from sneaking in your esophagus.
· Watching how you eat- Eat small chunks of
food, slowly enjoying and chewing every bite. Eating too fast without allowing
your stomach enough time for digestion adds pressure to the stomach, causing
heartburn.
5. Ginger- Ginger can help ease or prevent heartburn before a meal.
Steps
· Get three, quarter slices of ginger root
and two cups of water
· Mix the ginger and water, and simmer for
around thirty minutes
· Pour the mixture, with or without ginger
and drink around 20 minutes before you eat
6. Avoid alcohol and smoking- Cigarettes
contain Nicotine that weakens the esophagus muscles. Alcohol irritates the
stomach, causing heartburn. Avoiding alcohol and smoking in general could go a
long way in curing heartburn
7. Almonds- Snacking on almonds after meals
can help neutralize stomach acid
Steps
· Purchase almonds
· Eat 3- 4 after meals, or basically after
you eat something.
· Keep in mind that eating excess could
actually cause heartburn.
If you are looking for tips on how to cure
heartburn, following the remedies listed above can help get rid of the problem
long term. However always seek doctor’s advice if you have chronic heartburn or
the remedies above do not seem to work.
