10 Quick Ways to Relieve Heartburn at Home

Have you ever experienced heartburn? Well, the chances you did are 50% if you live in America because statistics say half the population here is affected by this health problem.

As a matter of fact, heartburn is just a symptom of acid reflux or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) – the medical terms of heartburn.

Before giving you several natural options to reduce your acid reflux symptoms, here are few facts you should know about GERD.

What Is GERD?
When your stomach receives food that doesn’t go well with it, it makes sure you know this by giving you heartburn. But, when the stomach acid, or sometimes even pancreatic fluids, go back up into your food pipe or esophagus making you feel discomfort and causing you harm, it’s the GERD.

The acid content in your food pipe can cause irritation, inflammation, and scarring. All this can lead to narrowing of the esophagus.

Some of the symptoms include burning sensation in the throat, hoarseness, coughing, nausea, irritation, asthma-like symptoms, wheezing, eroded tooth enamel, and food getting stuck in the throat.

What’s more, GERD increases the risk of esophageal cancer, but nothing drastic. If there’s acid reflux in the lower intestines for a longer time, the risk of Barrett’s Esophagus also increase.

This disorder is characterized by gland cells replacing the squamous cells in the stomach. Gradually, this can cause dysplasia and eventually cancer.

Many people use different store-bought products to treat or suppress their acid reflux. Sometimes they just prolong the inevitable when having spicy meals.

What Triggers GERD?
It’s crucial you discover what’s causing your acid reflux or GERD. The abdominal fat in obese or older people can affect the function of the esophagus. Moreover, the aging process can also weaken the esophageal sphincter.

Here are the most foods and beverages that can aggravate the GERD symptoms:

• Alcohol
• Chocolate
• Caffeine
• Nicotine
• Spicy, greasy, and/or fatty foods

Here are ten natural ways that can relieve your GERD symptoms as efficient as antacids.

10 Natural Ways to Relieve Acid Reflux

1. Lose Weight

Since obese and overweight people are more likely to experience problems with the esophageal function, it’s recommended you lose about 8 to 10 pounds. There’ are even studies which confirm that losing this much weight can relieve the GERD symptoms.

2. Change Your Diet

The gastroenterologist in Chesapeake, VA, Patricia Raymond, explains that changing the diet has proven to be effective only in about 30% of people who suffer from acid reflux. This is mostly because not many are willing to quit the foods mentioned above which trigger and worsen the symptoms of acid reflux.

But, if you’re not one of them and want to try to improve your diet to reduce your GERD symptoms, here’s what you should do. Stop consuming processed, fast, and junk food, as well as the listed food items that aggravate the GERD symptoms.

3. Warm Water and Lemon

The holistic nutritionist Rebekah Fedrowitz recommends drinking warm water with lemon, 15-20 minutes before breakfast. As she says, this will balance out the acid levels in your body.

Don’t forget to use warm instead of cold water, since the latter can stress your intestines and stomach. Your stomach, esophagus and entire body will accept the warm water a lot better than the cold one.

4. Baking Soda

This might not sound tasty, but it could give you the acid reflux relief you want so badly. Just mix half a cup of water with a tablespoon of baking soda and drink immediately.

5. Apple Cider Vinegar

Are you one of the many who thinks overproduction of acid causes indigestion and acid reflux? Well, latest study proves this to be wrong. In fact, it’s totally the opposite. The naturopathic doctor and holistic nutritionist in Trevorton, PA, Christina K.

Major, explains you need to eat highly acidic foods to stimulate the production of acid. Why? Well, it turns out we need more acid to digest the food properly. So, consuming foods and beverages such as apple cider vinegar, sauerkraut, and pickles will help you achieve that.

6. Saccharomyces Boulardii

The author of “The 21 Day Digestive Health Detox” Stella Metsovas recommends the probiotic Saccharomyces boulardii to relieve your acid reflux symptoms. This supplement will improve the absorption of vitamins vital for the digestion in the small intestine.

7. Slippery Elm

You can find this herbal supplement in the form of powder, capsule, or lozenge. It’s good for soothing the irritation of the digestive tract.

8. Tea

Some of the best teas for acid reflux and upset stomach are fenugreek, chamomile, and peppermint tea. Drink one whenever you feel the symptoms or pain.

9. A Gum

That’s right. Chewing gum stimulates the production of saliva which reduces the amount of acid in your esophagus. So, the next time you notice heartburn symptoms, grab a stick of gum.

10. Sleep on the Left Side

This is actually a really good advice for relieving your heartburn. Sleeping on your right side or your stomach worsens the acid reflux. On the other hand, sleeping on the left side can relieve your GERD symptoms. Sleeping on the wrong side puts pressure on your intestines and relaxes the esophageal sphincter.

One More Tip
Next time you eat pizza, tacos, or any other foods or beverages that trigger the acid reflux, just eat a red apple as a dessert. Then, grab a stick of gum and don’t forget to sleep on your left side.

Have you tried some of these tips to relieve your heartburn? Tell us the results and feel free to share any other heartburn remedy in the comments below.

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Make The Perfect Water With Ginger For Treating Pain In Muscles, Joints, Migraine And Heartburn

Ginger has been commonly used since ancient times, mostly due to its potent medicinal properties.

This healthy root is high in vitamins C, E, and A, and minerals, such as potassium, magnesium, copper, and manganese. The high potassium content supports heart health and reduces hypertension, while the antioxidants in it prevent and treat heartburn.

It also blocks the prostaglandins, treats inflammation, regulates the hormonal imbalances, treats muscle spasms and alleviates headaches and migraines. Furthermore, it calms the stomach and soothes nausea.

Its active ingredient, gingerol, treats inflammation and fights muscle and joint pain. Also, it effectively helps in the treatment of the arthritis symptoms.

The following recipe will take you a minute to prepare, and it will provide all these health benefits:

Ingredients:

• 2-inch ginger chunk
• Half lemon
• Honey
• 3 cups water

Instructions:

Grate the ginger with a zester, add the lemon juice and water, mix, and then add the honey. Mix well, and drink it all day long.

This remedy will treat numerous ailments, and it will dramatically boost the overall health.


source: http://blogs.naturalnews.com

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Why Heartburn, ACID Reflux And Stomach Pain Could Be Early Warning Signs Of Cancer

Just about everyone has experienced a heart burn at one point in their life. It’s really uncomfortable and it burns, for some it makes them feel nauseous and when we have one we just pop a pill to reduce the heart burn pain.

You might have never thought twice about it, and maybe you just ate food that was too spicy for your body but, the signs that come with heart burns can be a sign of Stomach or Esophageal Cancer. With any cancer this is the red flag that shows up for this cancer.

Don’t just take an antacid and shrug it off

In the U.K., the Public Health England (PHE) has launched a campaign to alert people to heartburn as a possible warning sign of cancer – forgo the stiff upper lip approach to pain and see your doctor. PHE says stomach and esophageal cancer are the fifth most common cancers in the U.K., with nearly 13,000 people diagnosed every year. And roughly 10,000 people die from the same during the same period.

A research confirmed that over 16,000 people were diagnosed with esophageal and stomach cancer every year just in the United States alone. It occurs three out of four times more likely in men over women according to American Cancer Society.

Poor digestion linked to stomach and esophageal cancer

According to both PHE and the ACS, the symptoms of stomach and esophageal cancer include poor digestion over the course of three weeks or more; the feeling of food sticking in your throat whenever you swallow; the loss of body weight for no apparent reason; trapped wind and frequent burping; nausea and vomiting, as well as stomach pain or some discomfort.

Acid reflux or as some know it as Acid Indigestion, tends to happens from the failure of lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to contract after ingesting food. This causes the stomach acid to bring the food back up into the esophagus. Acid reflux usually causes heart burn but no pain accompanied with it. In a more severe case, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) occurs. But gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) – what commonly shows up as heartburn – is now considered a major warning sign. A study confirmed stating that 44 percent of adults in America deal with heart burn at least once a month and 30 percent of these people are cases of stomach and esophageal cancer.

Lifestyle tips to protect yourself

The ACS suggests you can make simple lifestyle changes in order to control GERD. Increasing your physical activity is one, but many have to do with what, when and how much you eat.

Try to eat more fruits and vegetables daily and eat smaller meals throughout the day rather than one bog meal. Don’t eat two or three hours before going to sleep, reduce the amount of spicy consumed. If you are a smoking reduce the amount you smoke daily as smoking leads to heart burns. Another thing to keep in mind is the amount you drink as drinking is also a main factor.

The earlier you take action, the better

Follow the steps above but if you are still feeling signs of heartburn and poor digestion, your doctor will probably recommended aggressive forms of treatment and prevention. This will include medications and other nonsurgical medical procedures, as well as laparoscopic and open surgeries, and endoscopic therapies. Routine endoscopies are especially necessary for men over the age of 50, and those who experience something more than heartburn and poor digestion, weight loss, trouble swallowing, vomiting or anemia.

The earlier that stomach and esophageal cancer are diagnosed, the more likely treatments will prove successful. People showing the early signs of these cancers should visit their family doctor straightaway so that they can receive referrals for much needed tests and medical attention.

If you’re experiencing repeated heartburn, please don’t delay a visit to your doctor.

source: healthyandnaturalhouse

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12 Effective Natural Treatments for Heartburn and Stomach Ulcers

Many people confuse heartburn and stomach ulcer, which are two common digestive problems. Stomach ulcers symptoms and heartburn symptoms are very similar, both are causing burning sensation in the stomach, but these are two different conditions.

These two conditions cause a serious problems for many people and affects their daily life. I would like to share with here, natural treatments for heartburn and stomach ulcers that may help you in relieving the symptoms of each condition. You will also find a great recipe for anti reflux smoothie which is easy to make and delicious too!

Do you have an ulcer or heartburn?

Stomach ulcers are painful open sores that develop on the lining of the stomach and small intestine. This open sore is getting worse by your stomach acid, but is usually not caused by the acid itself. A great majority of ulcers are caused primarily by an infection of a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). They also develop in response to many factors, including the use of certain medications, as well as lifestyle and dietary factors. Ulcers are treated through changes in lifestyle, medications, antibiotics and surgery, but this article will present you natural alternatives for treating stomach ulcers which will be discussed later on.

The most common symptom of ulcers is burning pain that can be felt anywhere from the top of the sternum all the way down to the navel. Other symptoms include pain that wakes you up at night, or a pain 2-3 hours after eating and mild nausea that may go away with vomiting

Heartburn, on the other hand, is a painful burning sensation just below or behind the breastbone.  It usually comes from the esophagus which is the upper central region of the abdomen. The pain often rises in your chest and may spread to your neck or throat. Normally when food or liquid enters your stomach, a band of muscle at the end of your esophagus closes off this area. If this band does not close tightly enough, stomach acid can back up (reflux) into the esophagus. This partly digested material can cause heartburn and other symptoms.

Symptoms of acid reflux that don’t happen with ulcers are dry cough and sore throat that cause trouble swallowing, increased burning sensation after eating some trigger foods and tasting acid or food in the back of the mouth. These symptoms often become worse when you lie down.

An accurate diagnosis is important, so in any case, you should visit your doctor to find out whether you have acid reflux or an ulcer, and consult with him/her before taking any supplements to make sure they don’t interfere with other medications you take.

Natural treatments for heartburn

Appropriate diet

Avoid caffeine, including caffeinated soft drinks, tea and chocolate. All these foods allow stomach content to reflux back. Other foods that you should avoid are tomatoes, spicy foods, onions, citrus fruits, alcohol, tobacco and fried or fatty foods. It is also recommended to avoid large meals that slows digestion that increases the pressure in the stomach. Many people drink milk to ease heartburn, but milk may cause up more heartburn. Drinking milk and eating a big meal at dinner can be disastrous before sleep. According to the myth, milk coats the stomach or help heartburn. However this is not true, and the higher fat content in the milk, the worse. Instead of milk, go for water. According to some researches, heartburn is a sign of an internal water shortage. It is advised to drink water in between meals and not during meals. It’s also advised to eat slowly and chew well.

Enzymes and Probiotics

After you got your food under control, the second step is to consume digestives enzymes and probiotics. Digestive enzymes are made in our body naturally, but as we get older, many of us make less of them. Luckily they can be taken as a supplement and they have been shown to be very beneficial to treat heartburn. It is advised to take enzyme supplement that also contain hydrochloric acid (HCI), or alternately you can take HCI supplement alone. The most common form of HCI supplement is called betaine-HCI. Take the enzymes and HCI with every meal, dosage is dependent on improvement.

Probiotics known as “good bacteria” and promote healthy digestion. The probiotics help to maintain the balance between the good and the bad bacteria in the gut, and inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria. They also boost the immune function and increase resistance to infection. They also contain enzymes that help digest dairy products like lactose in milk. You can find probiotics in yogurts that contain active cultures, but you can also increase the content by using probiotic formula. Take it as a pill or in powder form and stir into water or yogurt.

Aloe Vera Juice

Although there isn’t any scientific evidence that aloe vera juice may help ease heartburn, aloe vera juice has been used along history to treat acid reflux, as well as other medical symptoms. Drink 1/4 cup of aloe vera approximately 20 minutes before a meal or whenever you experience heartburn. If you don’t like the taste of aloe vera juice, you can mix it with water or tea. The juice is believed to help soothe the esophagus from the burn of the acid traveling back up from your stomach. Taking aloe vera by mouth is not recommended for children or pregnant women, or if you have diabetes, kidney failure or thyroid disease (unless otherwise specified by your doctor). Also common side effects of drinking aloe vera juice are diarrhea and abdominal cramps. Aloe vera contains many nutrients and is thought to have many healing properties. You can find more information about aloe vera, as well as other herbs,  in my e-book the Herbal Remedies Guide. This guide will teach you how to treat common ailments using herbs.

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)

ACV is one of the most popular natural remedies for acid reflux, and this is strange, because  how can it be that ACV which is so acidic possibly helps to relieve heartburn symptoms? After all, we were recommended all the time to avoid acidic foods if we suffer from heartburn. Well, there are several theories about how ACV works for heartburn, and one of them is that ACV aids digestion by helping break down fats, but regardless of how exactly it works, many people have reported about the  effectiveness of ACV. It is recommended to mix one or two teaspoons of ACV with a glass of water and drink before meals or when heartburn strikes. Also read my article about 10 uses for ACV for great health and at home. Using ACV is also one of the 70 habits featured in my e-book 70 Powerful Habits For A Great Health which will guide you how to take positive steps to improve your wellness and overall health.

Baking Soda

Other people swear that the best way to beat heartburn is with a little bit of baking soda. It is recommended to mix 1/2 or 1 teaspoon of baking soda with a glass of water. The taste is not so good but it helps to neutralize some of the acid by consuming the baking soda which is a base. It will increase the  pH of the liquid in your stomach which will help ease the heartburn. It is not recommended to use baking soda on a regular basis as it is high in salt and could cause side effects like swelling and nausea. You can also click here to find 9 uses for baking soda as a kitchen remedy.

Anti reflux smoothie

Below is a suggestion for anti reflux smoothie – As most enzyme supplements contain a mix of enzymes like bromelain, found in pineapple, and papain from papaya, prepare your own smoothie:

• 1 cup diced fresh pineapple
• 1 cup diced fresh papaya
• 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup ice
• 1/2 cup pineapple juice or water

Mix all in a blender and drink.

Natural treatments for stomach ulcers

Zinc Carnosine

This form of zinc dissolves in the stomach and adheres to the wound (ulceration) on the stomach lining. Zinc Carnosine helps to heal the wound and repair the tissues and thus improves ulcer symptoms, including heartburn. It is recommended to use it for 8 weeks to see result. Recommended dose is 75 mg daily in divided doses.

Probiotics

Researchers have identified a strain of probiotic bacteria that may be useful in treating ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori. The regular intake of probiotic microoganisms has been demonstrated to prevent several disorders including diarrhea and inflammatory bowel disease. Also read my article about 9 reasons to take probiotics.

Glutamine

Our lungs manufacture the amino acid glutamine and also store some of it. Taken as a supplement, glutamine helps to reduce the amount of inflammation caused by an Helicobacter pylori infection.

Aloe Vera juice

Aloe Vera has long been known as a powerfully soothing salve for the skin. Aloe vera juice, when taken internally, can soothe the most irritated stomach conditions, including ulcers. You can also find aloe vera juice at your local health food store. Keep it refrigerated and follow the instructions on the bottle, or go with what your body tells you that it needs.

Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) powder

A special extract of licorice known as DGL is a remarkable medicine for peptic ulcers. To protect the lining of your stomach and duodenum take deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL), which has excellent soothing and healing properties. Recommended dose is 200 to 400 mg daily dissolved in 200 ml warm water.

Cabbage juice

Cabbage is one of the most medicinal vegetables you can find. It contains powerful medicinal properties and one of its best known uses is as a natural remedy for stomach ulcers. One quart daily of fresh cabbage juice, taken in divided doses, can be very effective. Start slowly and increase the amount gradually to avoid stomach upset.

Dietary changes

Avoid all coffee and other sources of caffeine as well as alcohol and tobacco. Avoid milk and milk products as well, as they increase acid discharge. Eat smaller amounts of foods more frequently and don’t let your stomach go empty for long periods of time.

source : healthyandnaturalworld

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