Causes Of Chronic Heartburn

Heartburn is the most common symptom for acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux. It is a feeling or burning sensation felt in the chest just behind breastbone, and gives the uncomfortable feeling of liquid or food rising up the esophagus. This burning sensation is caused by the acidic juices of stomach that manage to escape from stomach, and irritate the lining of esophagus. Unlike Stomach, esophagus is not protected from the corrosive effect of digestive juices.

Chronic heartburn is a serious disorder of digestive tract, and is not easily cured by antacids or home remedies. The pain can however be alleviated by improving the eating habits.

Causes of Chronic Heartburn

Chronic heartburn is usually an indicator of some other medical condition such as Barrett’s esophagus, Hiatal hernia, GERD or esophagitis, and in extreme conditions, esophageal cancer.



It has been observed that women suffer more often with chronic heartburn as compared to men. Frequent malfunction of esophageal sphincter is the main cause of chronic heartburn in females. Swollen belly that puts pressure on the stomach is the cause of heartburn during pregnancy.


Obesity is another common cause of chronic heartburn, and clinically obese people are at higher risk of suffering from this condition, as excess fat puts extra pressure on the stomach and pushes the stomach acid up. If excess weight is not shed, the heartburn can become more severe.

Genetic factor can also be the cause of severe heartburn, and some races are more prone to suffer from this disorder as compared to others. Hiatal hernia in which the small part of stomach lies in chest can also be the cause of severe heartburn.

Heartburn is caused by acid flowing back in the esophagus, and any food that increases the production of stomach acid can be the cause of severe heartburn. There are certain foods that we eat and drink everyday that can be the irritants, such as caffeine, alcohol, carbonated beverages, aspirin, anti-inflammatory medications, tomatoes, oranges, grapefruits, grapefruit and chocolates.

Some of the other factors that can be the cause of severe heartburn include straining to pass stool, straining to urinate and eating rich and large meals. Mild or moderate heartburn can be treated with home remedies or over the counter medications, but severe and chronic heartburn needs medical attention. Many heartburn cases however can be prevented by making simple changes in the diet, habits and daily activity. Talk to your doctor about foods that must be avoided, and limit alcohol intake and smoking. Losing weight not only helps alleviate heartburn symptoms, but is also good for overall health.


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Alternative Medicine For Heartburn : Responding To The Fire

Heartburn is a medical condition in which the body experiences a burning sensation in the mid-to upper chest region. Generally the locale of this burning sensation is beneath the sternum or breastbone. Heartburn has nothing to do with the heart, but because of the location of the burning it is called heartburn.

Heartburn can be caused by a number of contributing factors. Some of those factors can be the lifestyle that the individual chooses. Examples of those types of lifestyle choices could include smoking, drinking alcohol, overeating, eating of fatty or fried foods, excessive use of spices, etc.

In addition, a contributing factor to heartburn can be the stress in one’s life. This stress causes the stomach to excrete excessive amounts of hydrochloric acid. This excessive acid then finds its way back up through the esophagus and sometimes into the mouth.



Therefore, if an individual experiences episodes of heartburn, it is important to treat this condition. The treatment of this condition is important because the reflux of acid into the esophagus may eventually damage the esophagus and may ultimately lead to ulcerations or cancer of the esophagus.

Subsequently there are many ways to treat heartburn. Some of those ways of treating heartburn utilize traditional and conventional methods, while other methods can be considered alternative medicine for heartburn.

Traditional Ways of Treating Heartburn

There are many traditional ways of treating heartburn symptoms. Some of those methods of treating the symptoms of heartburn can include the use of over-the-counter medications, prescription heartburn medicine or changing one’s lifestyle to prevent the symptoms from occurring.

For example, over the counter medications can include tablets that contain magnesium, calcium and aluminum. In addition, an individual may choose to use a liquid or medication that is called a suspension containing these minerals. These ingredients help to negative the effects of the acid.

In addition, in cases of severe symptoms of heartburn, an individual may wish to see a physician. Typically, in severe cases of heartburn, the attending doctor will not only prescribe prescription medications to control the symptoms of heartburn, but also control the causes of heartburn. One such medication is labeled as a proton pump inhibitor. This type of medication will help to minimize the secretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach.

Utilizing Alternative Medicine For Heartburn

Another popular method of controlling the symptoms of heartburn is through the use of alternative medicine for heartburn. Basically the use of alternative medicine for heartburn includes home remedies that may help to alleviate the symptoms associated with heartburn.

For example some types of alternative medicine for heartburn can include the use of ordinary ingredients found around the home. One of those ordinary ingredients is baking soda. To provide relief for heartburn all the individual needs to do is to add baking soda to water and drink the liquid for instant relief

Another alternative medicine for heartburn that can be utilized is the ingestion of ginger. All the individual needs to do is boil a ginger root in two cups of water. Once this has occurred simply drink the liquid one would with a tea.

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Home Remedies Provide Natural Heartburn Treatment

Heartburn can, and does, happen to just about every one of us at one time or another. However, the fact that heartburn is a common problem is hardly a comfort when you are the one suffering from the painful burning in your chest and back of the throat. When those symptoms become a frequent "friend", the need for relief becomes even more pronounced and the search for natural heartburn treatment begins. The good news is that there are many options in heartburn home treatment that sufferers can use to keep those uncomfortable symptoms at bay.

What to Avoid

Heartburn can be caused and exacerbated by many different factors, so the first step in natural heartburn treatment is to identify those triggers so they can be avoided as much as possible. Some common culprits include eating too close to bedtime or indulging in alcoholic or carbonated beverages. Lying down right after a meal can make it easier for those digestive acids to work their way back up the digestive tract.



It is best to wait two or three hours after a meal before assuming a reclining position. Alcoholic beverages can relax the muscle at the base of the esophagus that is responsible for keeping stomach acids where they belong and away from the esophageal lining. Carbonated beverages like soda can also add pressure to the stomach, increasing the possibility of heartburn. Simply avoiding some of these habits can be an effective method of natural heartburn treatment.

Other things to avoid are some types of pain medication, caffeine and smoking. Medicines like ibuprofen and aspirin can irritate an esophagus that is already tender from acid reflux or heartburn. If you suffer from frequent bouts, it is best to choose acetaminophen for your occasional headaches as a natural heartburn treatment. Nicotine can also irritate the esophagus as well as the lining of the stomach, so kick the habit for natural heartburn treatment. Caffeine, like alcohol, can relax the muscle of the esophagus, making it easier for stomach acids to sneak back up. Avoidance of these substances is one of the easiest and healthiest methods of natural heartburn treatment.

Of course, some foods are known heartburn agents as well, such as chocolate, peppermint, tomatoes, citrus fruits and some spicy foods. Once you identify your heartburn triggers from this list, you can stay away from those foods that cause your painful symptoms as a natural heartburn treatment. If you simply must indulge in your favorite spaghetti sauce or grapefruit, there are medications that will reduce acid production. If you take one of these medications one half hour before a meal, it can help keep your heartburn symptoms at bay.

Heartburn hurts, but help is available. By using a method of natural heartburn treatment, you can prevent heartburn before it begins.

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