The searing pain of heartburn can be brought on by eating spicy, fatty or acidic foods, or just by eating too much too quickly. Luckily, it is easy to combat - or to avoid altogether.
When stomach acid backs up into the oesophagus, you feel the burning pain of acid reflux. At the first sign of heartburn, try one of these natural solutions.
HOME REMEDIES
- A little bicarbonate of soda can be highly effective at neutralizing excess stomach acid (but don't use it if you have high blood pressure). Stir 1 teaspoon into a glass of room-temperature water and drink.
- Try a digestive tonic: step 15g each of dried gentian root and dandelion root in 250ml of boiling water.
- Drink ginger tea: boil 1 ½ teaspoons of fresh ginger or ½ teaspoon of powdered ginger in 250ml of water for about 10 minutes before drinking.
- Chew a liquorice tablet before meals. This encourages mucin production in the oesophagus, providing a protective barrier against stomach acids.
- Seasoning food with fennel seeds or peppermint makes it more digestible and soothes heartburn.
- Eat a piece of dry white bread or toast to neutralize stomach acids, or a tablespoon of dry oatmeal.
- Sleep with your upper body slightly elevated at night to prevent acid from entering the oesophagus.
PREVENTION
- Eat sensibly, avoiding foods, drinks and combinations you know give you heartburn – perhaps fatty or acidic foods, chocolate or wine.
- Avoid alcohol, nicotine and caffeine; they increase gastric acid secretion, which can cause heartburn.
- Eat slowly and always opt for smaller, more frequent portions.
- Watch your weight. If you are carrying access kilos, this increases pressure inside your stomach, which can lead to acid reflux and heartburn.
- Eat early in the evening to give your stomach time to digest the meal – this takes about 3 hours. If you go to bed shortly after eating, stomach acid can flow back into your oesophagus.
WHEN TO CONSULT A DOCTOR
If you are frequent victim of heartburn, seek professional advice.
GOOD TO KNOW
Causes of acid reflux: A trapdoor of muscular tissue called the lower oesophageal sphincter usually keeps stomach acid just where it belongs – in the stomach. However, heartburn occurs when the sphincter allows the contents of your stomach to flow back into the oesophagus, causing a burning pain behind the breastbone. This is known as acid reflux.
Quick tip: Drink a glass of fresh carrot juice to soothe heartburn.
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