Despite its name, heartburn, also known as acid reflux, has nothing to do with your heart. This common condition is triggered by stomach acids that move up into your esophagus and cause that unpleasant, burning sensation in your chest area. Of course, acid reflux can be treated with medication, but there are also some simple lifestyle changes you can make to alleviate and even prevent it.
Here at Bhaskar Health, we are also familiar with the annoying symptoms of reflux, and we did our research to answer all your burning questions.
1. Eat a ripe banana.
In addition to improving your blood sugar levels and helping you keep your weight under control, bananas can offer quick relief from painful heartburn. Because they’re high in potassium, bananas can coat the stomach lining and help alleviate and prevent unpleasant acid reflux symptoms. But be sure to eat a ripe banana because if it’s not yet ripe, it can actually trigger heartburn.
2. Wear loose-fitting clothing.
If you’re suffering from heartburn, it’s better to ditch your tight pencil skirts and opt for looser, more comfortable clothes instead. Any type of clothing that squeezes your belly and puts pressure on your abdominal area can make acid reflux symptoms worse. And even if you’ve never experienced this burning sensation in your chest before, you still run the risk of developing it if you wear tight-fitting clothes daily.
3. Adjust your sleep position.
We all tend to prefer certain sleep positions, but if you’re prone to heartburn, you might want to change some of your habits for the sake of your health. If you’re used to sleeping on your right side, it might be actually one of the reasons you’re experiencing annoying heartburn. Sleeping on your right side relaxes the muscle that connects the stomach and esophagus and is supposed to defend against reflux. Try to sleep on your left side instead, as this position has been proven to reduce heartburn.
4. Chew sugar-free gum.
Chewing gum keeps your breath fresh for longer and can even improve your memory. In addition to these benefits, it can neutralize the acid in your stomach and prevent the burning sensation of reflux. Because chewing gum increases your saliva production and causes you to swallow more, it balances out the acidity in your mouth and helps it to be cleared much faster.
5. Resist the urge to eat quickly.
When you’re hungry, it’s totally understandable that you want to eat something as soon as possible, but eating in a hurry can actually trigger heartburn. People who eat quickly are more likely to suffer from reflux, and it’s better to give yourself enough time to properly chew and swallow your food.
6. Avoid running and weightlifting.
Being physically active is one of the best things you can do for your health, but if you’re prone to heartburn, you might want to be more careful when choosing the type of workout you do. High-impact exercises, such as running, weightlifting, or cycling, can actually decrease blood flow to your gastrointestinal area and worsen the reflux symptoms. But it doesn’t mean you have to cancel your gym membership — just be sure to choose moderate, low-impact exercises, such as walking, yoga, or swimming.
Have you ever experienced heartburn? Do you know any ways to soothe it quickly?
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