Heartburn: Lifestyle Changes That Can Help Prevent Heartburn

Thanks to man’s innovation and advancement in technology, we are now able to live comfortably and easily. However, it also brought us problems that we need to learn to deal with. Primarily, the comfort and convenience of modern life have increased the risk of heart related diseases, such as hypertension and stroke. And, it also increased the likelihood of heartburn.

Although the name heartburn suggests that this is a heart related illness, it’s really not even close to that. As a matter of fact, heartburn has nothing to do with the heart. Heartburn is basically a digestive illness that can be prevented or least lessened in its frequency through lifestyle modifications.

Heartburn happens when our stomach acid refluxes and comes in to contact with our esophagus. This irritates our esophagus and causes us to feel a burning sensation starting from the diaphragm all the way behind our breastbone. This is the feeling that you know as heartburn. It will also be accompanied by a sour or bitter taste in the mouth, which is primarily the stomach acid you regurgitated.

If you are suffering from heartburn, simple lifestyle changes must be made in order for you to prevent it from happening to you or at least lessen its frequency.

The first is to lose weight. Overweight and obese people are more at higher risk in suffering from heartburn. This is because they tend to overeat and overeating will increase the amount of acid inside the stomach. Try to reduce your overall food intake and lose some of your weight by exercising. Doing so will help reduce the amount of acid produced in your stomach, which will in turn decrease your chances of experiencing heartburn.

The second is to eat healthy. If you can, you should try and maintain a food diary. This way, you will be able to track down food that causes you to experience heartburn. Cut down on foods that triggers heartburn and you will be able to prevent heartburn from taking control of your life. You really don’t have to give up eating your favorite food. But, you do have to limit it.

Also, increasing fiber intake will help bind stomach acids together, which will help in preventing heartburn.

Smoking is one of the main triggers of heartburn. The nicotine you inhale will increase the production of stomach acid and it will also weaken the LES or the lower esophageal sphincter. The LES acts as a valve which is primarily responsible for keeping stomach acid inside the stomach and prevent it from reaching your esophagus.

You should also avoid drinking too much alcohol. Wine and beer triggers heartburn because they tend to increase stomach acid production. By cutting down on alcohol, you will be able to improve your condition and reduce the frequency of heartburn you experience.

Lastly, you should try drinking a cup of green tea once every day. This will help get rid of toxins inside your stomach and significantly reduce the amount of stomach acid being produced.

These are some of the lifestyle changes that you need to make in order for you to prevent heartburn or at least reduce its frequency. If none of these things work, then it may be time for you to seek professional medical help as the heartburn you are experiencing may be a sign of a far more serious health condition.