How to Cure Heartburn

"What is Heartburn?" This question is probably asked at least a hundred times a day all over the world. So what exactly is heartburn?

Ironically, heartburn has nothing to do with the heart. It's actually related to the digestive tract. Heartburn is the result of stomach acids escaping the stomach through the lower esophagus opening and irritating the esophagus. The irritation typically feels like a burning pain in the middle of the chest or "heart" area-hence the name "heartburn".

About four years ago, I frequently woke up at night feeling this burning pain in my chest. It was keeping me from restful sleep at night. Sometimes I actually felt as if the acid had traveled all the way up my esophagus to my mouth. What a horrible way to wake up. Othertimes I felt as if my stomach was on fire. Needless to say, Tums became my best friend.

What causes heartburn? The causes of heartburn are many. They range from types of foods to lifestyle.

The first thing that most people assume when they feel heartburn is the last meal they ate must have caused it. This is mostly true, but why? What foods did they eat to cause this? Some common foods that are known to increase acid production are:

1. Spicy foods-eg. peppers, jalapenos, hot sauces, picante sauses etc
2. Acidic fruits such as oranges, lemons, limes etc.
3. Tomatoes and tomato juices due to the high acid content.
4. Coffee, high fatty foods, peppermint, chocolate and alcohol.

If you find yourself with heartburn following a meal that includes any of these, then some ant-acid tablets will probably do the trick in curbing the heartburn.

What if that doesn't work?

Then you need to ask yourself these questions:

1. How often do I get heartburn?
2. How severe is the heartburn? can you tolerate it or does it completely incapacitate you?

If your heartburn is quite frequent (eg. after every meal, late at night, middle of the night each night), then it is possible that you have GERD. GERD stands for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. This is a chronic condition that wears away at the lining of the esophagus.

This is not good.

I remember feeling my heartburn every night. I hated it. It got to a point that I had to see a doctor because I was worried about ulcers and such. I was absolutely tired of waking up in the middle of the night and popping ant-acid pills. I got little rest and felt totaly helpless.

There are many cures available to sufferers of heartburn. Most offen times people look at man made cures such as medications, to solve there heartburn woes. Unfortunately, medications don't treat the problem only the symptom. This is why it is important for you to address the root cause of your heartburn as soon as you can.

When I went to the doctor, he prescribed for me an over the counter (OTC) medicine. Yes it worked in the short term, but he advised me that I needed to do other things in order to prevent its return:

1. Lose weight
2. Change my eating habits
3. Excercise
4. Change the foods I ate and when

These were the most significant changes I made in order to reduce my heartburn. I searched all over the Internet looking for a guide that would help me to change my lifestyle. I found several guides that helped me to cure my heartburn. They worked for me and today I am heartburn free. Sure I occasionally get a touch of hearburn after a big meal, but this is nothing compared to what I had before!

If you are interested in the guide that helped me, then check it out here:

Click Here to Cure your Heartburn!

What I liked about this guide was that it was centered around holistic remedies. I wasn't putting anything into my body that would hurt me. I was not only helping my heartburn, but I was creating a more healthy lifestyle for me. I encourage you to do the same and get control of your heartburn and your life!

Have you ever wondered why your mother always told you to "chew your food before you swallow?"

Well, studies have shown that our moms might have been on to something when it comes to this old addage. You see, chewing your food aids in digestion because it breaks down what you are eating an allows for your stomach's gastric acids to do their job more efficiently.

Your own saliva, which is triggered when either your brain senses an impending meal (aromas of mom's spaghetti sauce comes to mind) or when you place food in your mouth, acts as a lubricant and digestive aide. If you aren't chewing your food enough, your saliva has less time to work!

How do these things relate to heartburn? Well, if your stomach has less work to do because you are taking your time eating, then it also has less gastric acid to produce and neutralize! Correspondingly, you lessen the chances of heartburn.

Ok, so what are some steps you can take to do this?

1. Chew your food at least 7 chews before swallowing.
2. Bite of smaller portions...do you really need to inhale a bite the size of your fist?
3. Relax when you eat...its not a race...unless of course you are in a pie eating contest!
4. Sit down...don't stand. This forces you to take your time.
5. Drink plenty of water, this helps in digestion and feeling full sooner so you don't over eat.
6. Stop eating before you are full. It takes 20 mins for your brain to recognize you are full and send out the "all stop" signal.
7. Be sure to eat some dark green leafy vegetable with your meal. The alkalines in the vegetable aid in the digestive process.

Most importantly...take your time chewing your food!

Click Here to Cure your Heartburn!