

As mentioned above, it’s important to note that only a doctor can help you properly determine your stomach acid levels, so if you aren’t sure, check before adding new, potentially triggering food items.Ĭhewing gum stimulates saliva production, which acts as a buffer to your stomach acid. No studies have proven this theory, though. In some people, heartburn is caused by too little stomach acid, so it’s thought that consuming apple cider vinegar will reintroduce acid back into the stomach. Though it may seem counterintuitive – adding acid to prevent acid reflux? - apple cider vinegar is a popular holistic treatment for a variety of ailments. If you’re trying to find relief from heartburn or prevent it altogether, here are six natural remedies for heartburn. Avoiding triggering foods, finishing meals two to three hours before bedtime, and eating more slowly can help alleviate heartburn. Some strategies for preventing heartburn include watching what, when, and how you eat. Some holistic treatments for heartburn can interact with certain medications or may not be best for your unique circumstances. Like with any holistic treatment, consult your doctor before beginning. In these particular cases, GERD can only be managed with prescription medication or surgery. GERD isn’t always triggered by food or lifestyle but can be due to a physical deformation of the lower esophageal sphincter. GERD is a chronic form of acid reflux and is classified by bouts of heartburn more than twice a week and/or causes inflammation in your esophagus. Like with acid reflux, heartburn is a symptom of Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Acidic foods, like tomatoes and citrus fruitsĬertain medications, stress, sleep deprivation, smoking, and high levels of progesterone that come with pregnancy can also lead to heartburn.Too much pressure on the stomach can be caused by things like pregnancy, constipation, and obesity.Ĭertain foods can also increase stomach acid and relax the LES, leading to heartburn, including: Overeating puts too much food in your stomach, which doesn’t allow the LES to close completely. But if the LES opens too often or doesn’t close completely, stomach acid can make its way into the esophagus and cause heartburn.Ī malfunctioning LES is often caused by two common problems: overeating and too much pressure put on the stomach. Typically, the LES (with the help of gravity) keeps stomach acid in the stomach, and only opens to allow food in or gas out. Heartburn often begins as a result of an issue with the muscular valve called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The amount of time that an episode of heartburn lasts varies from person to person, lasting anywhere from a few minutes to several hours. An acidic, bitter, hot taste in the back of your throat.Pain in your chest while you’re lying down or bending over.Aside from the burning sensation, people with heartburn may experience:


Though some cases are best addressed with prescription medication through a physician’s consultation, some people find symptom relief from holistic alternatives and lifestyle changes.ĭespite its name, heartburn has nothing to do with your heart, though some of the symptoms of heartburn mimic those of a heart attack. The condition can range from simply irritating to entirely debilitating. Heartburn is a symptom of acid reflux – heartburn describes the pain felt due to acid reflux. Heartburn is caused by stomach acid moving up from your stomach into your esophagus, resulting in the burning, painful feeling in your chest or upper belly. Heartburn is an irritation of the tube that connects your throat and stomach, called the esophagus.
