Gastroesophageal reflux disease, also called GERD, is a term that your doctor might use; you probably call it heartburn, and it affects millions every day. Sometimes heartburn is an occasional annoyance. But for many, chronic heartburn interferes with daily activities, including sleep.
Heartburn that happens once in a while can often be managed by taking an over-the-counter remedy. Chronic heartburn needs more attention. Over time, that familiar, uncomfortable sensation could be damaging your body. Stomach acids can wear away the delicate lining of the esophagus, creating a much larger problem than heartburn.
If you’re among the many who suffer from frequent heartburn, there are ways to help manage it. You might even be causing the condition without realizing it, and a few modifications could make all the difference.
Here are 4 ways to find heartburn relief, whether it happens every day, or only once in a while:
Remedy #1: Watch Your Diet
Some foods are known to contribute to heartburn. If you eat garlic, tomato-based sauces, and fatty foods, Harvard HealthBeat says you may experience acid indigestion. That’s probably not news to you, as these are classic heartburn triggers.
But there are some other foods on the list that may surprise you. You may have heard that a nice, hot cup of mint tea can soothe a heartburn and settle your stomach. Unfortunately, peppermint and spearmint can cause the very reaction that you’re trying to soothe.
Other foods include caffeinated and carbonated beverages, chocolate, alcohol, citrus, and overindulging in any food. If you overeat, you’re much more likely to experience heartburn than if you don’t.
On the other hand, some foods can help reduce symptoms. Dr. Oz recommends eating plenty of leafy greens, rice, fennel, parsley, bananas, oatmeal and melons. He also suggests that a diet lower in fats, such as fish and poultry, and eating smaller meals throughout the day instead of a few large meals can help.
Remedy #2: Change Your Sleeping Habits
Heartburn has awakened more than one sufferer. When you recline, it’s easier for stomach acids to make their way into the esophagus, causing heartburn that’s sometimes uncomfortable enough to interrupt sleep.
Sleeping with your head elevated is a simple way to find some relief. But Harvard HealthBeat says the traditional route of using an extra pillow or two doesn’t put gravity to work for you as well as it could.
You can try propping up the head of your bed using a couple of blocks. This places the whole body at an angle where gravity helps keep acids in the stomach, where they belong.
Another method, and a much simpler one than raising your bed, is a sleeping wedge. This is a large, wedge-shaped pillow that elevates your upper body more evenly than pillows can.
Avoid food near bedtime, too. Lying down with a full stomach is a perfect way to encourage acids to rise. So have your last meal or snack at least 30 minutes before bedtime. And remember to avoid those trigger foods.
The very medicines and vitamins that you take to improve overall health could cause heartburn. If you already suffer from heartburn, you shouldn’t rule out medications and supplements as an exacerbating factor.
Antibiotics are known to contribute to heartburn symptoms, says the Mayo Clinic, as are bisphosphonates or drugs that help improve bone density. Iron and potassium supplements are also on the list, as are over-the-counter pain relievers of all types. This includes basic aspirin.
Other prescription medications may be more difficult to avoid; you shouldn’t stop taking any medication given by your doctor, but be aware of the potential heartburn link. Some of these include progesterone, tranquilizers, certain high blood pressure medications, drugs for the treatment of overactive bladder, and narcotics.
If you’re taking over-the-counter medication that contributes to heartburn, you can probably discontinue its use, at least to help determine if it is part of the cause. Consult with your physician to see if there are other drugs you can take to replace prescription medications that cause heartburn.
Remedy #4: The Famous Purple Pill Called Nexium
Heartburn relief may be as simple as that little purple pill you’ve heard about. Nexium is approved for the treatment of frequent, persistent heartburn, and it can work when other modifications in habits, medications, and food haven’t helped.
Nexium works in a fairly direct manner. Your stomach produces a lot of acid, which backs up into the esophagus, causing heartburn. Nexium simply turns down the pumps that produce stomach acid. There’s less acid in the stomach, which means less acid can rise and cause heartburn.
Heartburn has such a well-known history, many don’t recognize the long term damage that too much acid in the esophagus can cause. The lining of the esophagus may erode or wear away over time, but Nexium has been shown to help heal the lining, and reverse the damage caused by frequent, persistent heartburn.
Nexium is available in handy capsules, and also in an oral suspension that is mixed with water immediately before taking. Capsules may be more convenient, as the oral suspension also requires waiting for the mix to thicken before it can be taken. Both give 24-hour heartburn relief, which can provide you with a significant quality of life improvement.
Heartburn may not seem serious, but it can actually lead to more serious conditions, including esophageal cancer, according to Dr. Oz. With several ways to modify your lifestyle and a simple pill to get continued relief, your days of frequent, persistent heartburn may soon be at an end.
eDrugstore.com sells Nexium, which has been proven effective in treating the symptoms of GERD or frequent, persistent heartburn in many men and women. We offer privacy and convenience, and your discreetly-packed shipment arrives right at your door. If you’re ready to try something that works, see what eDrugstore.com has to offer.
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