I was once a GERD (Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease), or in layman’s terms, a Heartburn sufferer. I’d like to tell you about my experience with this condition and how I was able to get rid of it using home remedies.
Heartburn
It is a very painful sensation that comes from the upper part of our digestive organs, not the heart. This is where confusion can occur. Many sufferers mistakenly believe that heartburn is caused by a heart attack. This is due to the stomach acids reacting strongly to certain foods. The main types of food that are affected by this phenomenon include spicy foods, citrus fruits high in fat, and garlic.
This happens when a small amount of stomach acid is forcefully pushed up our unprotected throats. This causes a chemical reaction that can cause moderate to severe pain. What does heartburn feel like? It can feel like burning charcoal being pushed up into our digestive system, just behind our breastbone. It can last anywhere from a few minutes up to several hours.
Take note
You may feel like someone is sitting on your chest. You may also feel a burning sensation in your throat. It tastes hot, sourly, and acidic. It is very difficult to swallow water to reduce the acidity.
- To ensure gravity keeps your food in your stomach, raise your bed’s head to 5 inches. You don’t need to pile your pillows. You can simply raise your bed’s legs at the head, or use thick books to support your bed.
- Eat your meals at least 3-4 hours before bedtime. No snacks or meals before bed.
- Reduce the amount of food you eat.
- Reduce your intake of spicy foods, fatty foods, coffee.tea, and alcohol.
- Stop smoking, as it can relax the lower part our esophageal.
- Avoid taking antibiotics and other medicines.
- Get at least 8 glasses of water daily.
- The last tip – if your heartburn is severe, drink a glass water with a teaspoon baking powder. The baking powder will react with your stomach acid, neautralizing it and making you feel better.
Final note
These 10 simple tips have helped me get rid of heartburn. If your pain persists for more than a few hours, these tips should not be considered a substitute for a visit to a doctor. If you have heartburn that is not very common, I recommend these tips.