| We've all felt the effects of heartburn. | | | | it is physically easier for stomach contents |
| Maybe it was after that one party when you | | | | like acid to splash up toward your throat. |
| ate a lot more than you should and definitely | | | | When you are sitting up or standing, gravity |
| went a little overboard on the hamburger | | | | maintains those same stomach contents stay at |
| toppings. Perhaps, it was that night you | | | | the bottom of the stomach. |
| finished off that tray of pizza loaded to the | | | | |
| max with onions and you tossed and turned all | | | | - Eat a diet high in fiber. A recent health |
| night cause your chest was on fire. | | | | study found that people who followed a |
| | | | high-fiber meal plan were less likely to |
| Heartburn can be a serious condition is a lot | | | | suffer from any acid reflux symptoms, |
| more prominent than you may originally | | | | regardless of their body weight. You can get |
| thought. A recent survey showed that about | | | | fiber from whole grains, fruits, vegetables, |
| twenty percent of all American adults will | | | | beans, nuts and seeds. |
| have a moderate case of heartburn at least | | | | |
| once a month. Some choose to take action | | | | - Stay away items like chocolate, peppermint, |
| against it by changing their lifestyles while | | | | caffeine, alcohol, and fatty foods that may |
| others just choose to ignore it and make it | | | | irritate a damaged esophagus lining. Acidic |
| worse. | | | | foods such as citrus fruit and citrus juices |
| | | | are will also give you problems. |
| If you find that you are a frequent sufferer | | | | |
| of heartburn, there are some steps you can | | | | - Try not to eat excessively large meals |
| take to minimize its effects. You can help | | | | since the more food in your stomach; the more |
| decrease the likelihood of heartburn by | | | | likely it is for stomach contents to splash |
| keeping in mind these few but important tips: | | | | upwards towards your esophagus. What you'll |
| | | | want to do is try eating four to five small |
| - Avoid any high in fat meals. They tend to | | | | meals instead of two or three big ones. |
| stay in the stomach longer. Greasy or fried | | | | |
| are especially harmful and can weaken the | | | | - Some doctors recommend chewing gum after |
| esophagus's muscles. | | | | meals to stimulate saliva production. Just |
| | | | make sure the gum you choose is NOT a |
| - Do not smoke and drink any alcohol before, | | | | peppermint flavor. |
| during, or after meals. Both smoking and | | | | |
| alcohol will weaken the muscles of your | | | | - Plan out your meals to encourage slow but |
| esophagus. | | | | sure weight loss if you are overweight. Extra |
| | | | weight around the midsection will press |
| - Wait about two hours after a meal before | | | | against the stomach and increase the pressure |
| exercising if your heartburn gets worse after | | | | going up toward your esophagus. |
| exercise. | | | | |
| | | | - Have a glass of water at the end of every |
| - Don't lie down or go to bed for about two | | | | meal to dilute and wash down any stomach acid |
| to three hours after eating. As you lie down, | | | | may have been splashed up into the esophagus. |