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Natural Cures For Heart Burn

Heartburn does not involve your heart at all, but the pain can mimic that of a heart attack. Many people experience occasional heartburn, which can be easily managed with dietary changes and over-the-counter products. If you experience severe and frequent heartburn, discuss your symptoms and treatment options with your doctor. You can also try home remedies and lifestyle changes, such as avoiding your trigger foods, taking herbal supplements and reducing your anxiety. Heartburn symptoms include pain in your chest that worsens when you lie down and possibly difficulty swallowing.

  1. Healthy Lifestyle

    • According to the Mayo Clinic, heartburn can be worsened by excess body weight because it can increase the pressure around your abdomen, which in turn might force acid up your esophagus. If you are overweight, discuss healthy weight loss plans with your doctor. Increase your physical activity slowly. Try walking for 20 minutes a day or playing a sport you enjoy, such as tennis or swimming. Be sure to eat smaller portions of low-fat meals with plenty of whole grains, lean protein sources, as well as fruits and vegetables. Do not try to starve yourself into losing weight; aim for slow and steady progress.

    Trigger Foods

    • Trigger foods are foods that can cause your heartburn. Discovering what your trigger foods are can be tricky, as a food that causes heartburn in one person might not cause it in another. However, common trigger foods include citrus fruits, fries, mashed potatoes, spicy buffalo wings, dairy products such as ice cream and sour cream, doughnuts and coffee. Many people also discover alcohol to be one of their trigger foods. Start a food diary to discover your triggers; record what you ate and when you ate it, then record if you experienced any heartburn symptoms. If you do have symptoms, try eliminating that food from your diet to see if symptoms improve.

    Supplements

    • Try drinking a cup of chamomile tea. Chamomile might help relieve heartburn as well as intestinal gas and nausea. It is also used as a natural anti-anxiety treatment, which can help reduce incidences of heartburn. You can also try licorice, which contains glycyrrhizin. This can help soothe stomach irritation and protect the gastrointestinal tract, as well as relieving heartburn. Other herbs and supplements that might be helpful in treating heartburn are devil's claw, barberry and bromelain. Discuss taking supplements with your doctor, especially if you are on any medications.

    Relaxation

    • According to the Mayo Clinic, reducing the stress in your life can help reduce your heartburn symptoms. The Mayo Clinic recommends trying relaxation therapies including aromatherapy, hypnosis, massage, guided imagery and mild exercise.

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