Natural Cures For Acid Reflux And Heartburn - Herbs And Vegetables

Heartburn and acid reflux with the experienced symptoms as bloating, gas, nausea, shortness of breath and/or an acidic or sour taste in the throat and mouth affects about 1 out of 5 people once a week, with some experiencing it more frequently. Its main cause is the failure of the esophageal sphincter muscle to contract and prevent stomach acid from entering the esophagus and release of hydrochloric acid used in digestion into the esophagus. This affects the sensitive tissues in the esophagus and throat and causes irritation.

Heartburn or acid indigestion needs a prompt consultation with a doctor to help treat acid reflux and heartburn that could otherwise lead to more serious medical ailments like esophagitis, strictures, esophageal bleeding and ulcers, Barrett's esophagus, and an increased risk of esophageal cancer. Some contend that there is no magic heartburn or acid reflux cure, but some natural cures for acid reflux and heartburn could definitely help reduce/avoid adverse impacts. Some natural cures for heartburn would surely work better and are safer than medicines, with herbs and vegetables serving as some of the best natural cures for acid reflux and heartburn.

Some of the natural cures for acid reflux and heartburn lie in preventing triggers for heartburn with a suitable diet. Keeping a record of what eats daily with the help of a food diary would help identify foods that cause problem and need to be avoided. Some of the foods and drinks that have been triggers include citrus fruits and juices, chocolate, peppermint, spearmint, tomatoes, raw onions, garlic, black pepper, vinegar, fatty and spicy foods, coffee, carbonated beverages, and alcoholic beverages.

Eating small meals at regular intervals and eating the last dinner about 2 to 3 hours before retiring to bed helps. In addition eat slowly, with chewing and savoring the food properly and avoid distractions while eating also help. Most doctors feel that drinking milk helps reduce heartburn symptom temperorly, but could cause greater heartburn in others. In addition antacids could temperorly helps for relief, but could reduce iron absorption and increase blood pressure and upset the kidneys.

Stress reduction has been among the most common of natural cures for acid reflux and heartburn. A survey conducted by the National Heartburn Alliance revealed that hectic, lifestyle and work related stress are important triggers for heartburn and could worsen it as time went on. In addition stress not only disrupt our normal routines, but also worsens it further by initiating us to eat the wrong foods, smoke, drink and consume more of caffeinated drinks. Hence it is very well said that stress that causes heartburn and acid reflux could also trigger other behaviors that trigger it. So it is best understanding that many undergoing stress also experience slow emptying of the stomach and increased likelihood of heartburn. Some other natural methods of cure include meditation, relaxation response and other natural ways to decrease anxiety and tension.

Some other natural cures for acid reflux and heartburn include abstaining from smoking as smoking relaxes the esophageal sphincter, weakens it and close off the esophagus and stimulates the production of stomach acid.