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Heartburn is a
burning sensation experienced under your breastbone after you’ve eaten something that
may not have agreed with you.
What to look for
a burning feeling in the
chest just behind the breastbone (the sternum) that occurs after eating and lasts a few
minutes to several hours.
chest pain, especially
after bending over or lying down.
burning in the
throat—or hot, sour, or salty-tasting fluid at the back of the throat.
belching.
Often the symptoms may be
mistaken for a heart attack but usually this condition is not nearly as dangerous. It is
an irritation of the oesophagus that is caused by stomach acid. Usually sphincter at the
end of the oesophagus relaxes to let food into the stomach, then contracts to close off
the oesophagus from the stomach contents. If the muscle becomes weak, acid and bile from
the stomach can go back into the oesophagus causing this condition.
Occasional heartburn isn't
dangerous, but chronic heartburn can indicate serious problems.
Causes
A sphincter that doesn't
tighten as it should is the basic cause of heartburn. The causes can be: too much food in
the stomach (overeating) or too much pressure on the stomach (frequently from obesity or pregnancy).
The sphincter relaxes with
tomatoes, citrus fruits, garlic, onions, chocolate, coffee, alcohol, and peppermint,
dishes high in fats and oils, medications, especially some antibiotics. Stress, which strains the nerves controlling the sphincter, can
cause heartburn as can smoking.
Traditional Treatment
Most physicians advocate
antacids for occasional heartburn. Alternative practitioners rely on herbal remedies to
reduce acid and relaxation therapies to lessen stress.
The primary objective is to
identify the cause of the heartburn, so it can be avoided in the future. Surgery may be
required to repair the sphincter if nothing else works, but this is relatively rare.
Alternative/Natural
Treatments
Herbal
Therapies -
Ginger (Zingiber
officinale)
tea can diminish heartburn quickly, and chamomile
(Matricaria recutita) tea's calming effects is especially helpful. If your digestion
system is not functioning as it should, try herbs such as agrimony and dandelion. If you
have heartburn because of nervousness or anxiety, try hops, lemon balm and vervain.
Ginger
(Zingiber officinale)
tea can diminish heartburn quickly, and chamomile
(Matricaria recutita) tea's calming effects is especially helpful. If your digestion
system is not functioning as it should, try herbs such as agrimony and dandelion. If you
have heartburn because of nervousness or anxiety, try hops, lemon balm and vervain.
Homeopathy -
Specific
heartburn symptoms often respond well to homeopathic remedies. After eating spicy foods,
take
Nux vomica; after rich foods take Carbo
vegetabilis; and for burning pain, take
Arsenicum
album. Specific
heartburn symptoms often respond well to homeopathic remedies. After eating spicy foods,
take
Nux vomica; after rich foods take Carbo
vegetabilis; and for burning pain, take
Arsenicum
album.
Dietary Considerations
Take acidophilus Bifidus to
help maintain optimum levels of the friendly intestinal flora. This will help your
indigestion. Also it helps to eat smaller more regular meals including vegetables and
fruit, wholegrain breads and cereals. And always chew your food properly.
Prevention
Heartburn is often
preventable. Try to avoid foods which you know will cause this problem. Lying down is
often not the best remedy, you should sit upright while the discomfort is evident.
When to seek further
professional advice
you experience heartburn
along with any other symptom
you take an antacid to
relieve heartburn and do not feel relief within 15 minutes.
your heartburn gets worse
with exercise and relieved by rest.
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