Heartburn
Understanding Heartburn Heartburn is the common term to describe when acidic fumes or gases from our half-digested food flows upwards back into the esophagus, where they are not supposed to be. The medical term for heartburn is gastroesophageal reflux diseases (GERD). But GERD is not a disease. Heartburn can be a result of either a faulty lower esophageal sphincter, or some kind of stomach problems like gastritis or peptic ulcers.  When there is indigestion or stomach upset, the gas pressure in the stomach will cause belching. A burp or belch would open up this faulty valve, allowing gastric contents to flow upward in the form of liquid or acidic fumes or gases. When this happens, sufferers will feel a burning sensation, pain, pressure and much discomfort on the chest. The pain is felt because the esophagus has somehow been injured. When the acidic fumes or gases come in contact with the wound, pain is felt. This also happens when sufferers eat acidic food. They will have difficulty swallowing as the acidic food touches the wound on the way down. With GERD, inflammation and ulcers can occur in the esophagus. Chronic heartburn must not be taken lightly. It can result in obstruction, ulceration and formation of an abnormal lining which may turn cancerous.
Symptoms of Heartburn Sufferers experience a crushing chest pain and pressure beneath the breastbone. Sometimes the pain can be so great that it is mistaken for a heart attack. Other symptoms include excessive mucus in the throat, difficulty swallowing food, sore throat, stomach pain, bloating, belching, flatulence and even constipation. For some, there would also be constant coughing, choking in the sleep, ENT infections, and bad breath.
Diet/Lifestyle Suggestions The most important thing you can do to control the heartburn, is to control the acidic fumes/gases from flowing back upwards. Reduce the gas in the stomach to lessen the pressure on the faulty lower esophageal sphincter valve that causes a back-flow (or a reflux). Prevention is the best cure for indigestion. Avoid processed foods, dietary fats, chocolate, mint, alcohol, caffeine, hot-spicy foods, and gas-causing foods (see flatulence/wind). Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables (avoiding the acidic ones). Chew a gum to stimulate saliva production which can reduce the acid by half. When you have a heartburn attack, swallow your saliva which neutralizes the acid in the esophagus. Notice and jot what food aggravates or cause your heartburn and avoid them. Some food that aggravates other sufferers may not trouble you. A large meal followed by a lie down soon after is a sure-fire way to start a heartburn. Gravity helps prevent a reflux, so sit or stand. Doctors often prescribe antacids for heartburn. Beware, as some antacids contain aluminum, a substance that is linked to Alzheimer's disease. Finally, quit smoking, a deadly habit for GERD sufferers.
Important Note: These recipes can only act as temporary relief for heartburn. With change of eating habits and lifestyle, a cure is possible. But if uncared for and left untreated, chronic heartburn can lead to cancer. See a gastroenterology if you have chronic heartburn.
Pomegranate juice is extremely healing on inflammation and soothes the pain of heartburn. Drink it on its own, regularly and frequently. Its high content of anti-oxidant will also generally do you much good.
This combination is very efficient in soothing the pain of heartburn. These highly alkaline produce neutralize the acidic environment, are very cleansing and building.
Another alkaline combination that cools and soothes the pain of heartburn. These highly alkaline produce neutralize the acidic environment, cleanse, repair, heal and nourish.
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