General Heartburn Relief

The millions who suffer heartburn have one thing in common – they seek heartburn relief.

Heartburn relief is more important to them than the cause of the heartburn. At least, it is until they get it. Then they begin asking the questions: Did I eat too fast or too much? Did I eat spicy, fatty food? Maybe I should have loosened my waistband. Some will go on to identify the trigger, while others will be happy just to have relief.

Heartburn relief is easy to find. Grocery stores and pharmacies offer many possibilities. There are calcium tablets and other chewables. You can find over-the-counter (OTC) medications and prescription drugs. All promise heartburn relief – and some keep the promise.

Heartburn Relief Through Lifestyle Changes

Sometimes heartburn relief can be found through changing certain things in your life. Medication may be needed while making the changes, but permanent heartburn relief can follow the establishment of new habits.

1. Smoking: If you smoke tobacco in any form, stop smoking. This includes pipes and cigars as well as cigarettes. Smoking counteracts other efforts at heartburn relief.

2. Weight: Extra weight, especially at the waist and below, can put pressure on the stomach and lower esophageal sphincter (LES). If you are serious about heartburn relief, exercise and diet as necessary to reach and maintain a healthy weight for your age and body build.

3. Clothing: For some, heartburn relief is as simple as wearing looser clothing. Waistbands and belts, especially, should not be too tight. You can be fashionable without stressing your body with tight clothes.

4. Bedtime Snack: Many people get heartburn relief by cutting out bedtime snacks. Reflux of acid is less likely to recur if you have not eaten within two hours of bedtime.

5. Trigger Foods: There is some question as to whether spicy and fatty foods always cause heartburn. They may in some people and not in others. Experiment. Keep a food list, noting when you have heartburn and the food eaten just prior to it. Personal heartburn relief may come from sacrificing certain foods.

6. Stress: Many people find that stress management is a means of obtaining heartburn relief. Learning how to respond appropriately to stress may ease the muscular tension that produces heartburn. For tips on stress management, visit the Stress Management Blog by clicking here.

While there is no one heartburn relief that fits all, making one or more lifestyle changes such as those above may be the answer you need.

CAUTION: The author is not a licensed medical professional. The information given here is for educational purposes only. Please discuss your heartburn symptoms and heartburn relief methods with your doctor.