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It’s not as easy as drowning a fire, but it is possible.
In most people heartburn is due to a combination of factors, many of which are under your direct control. The key to eliminating heartburn forever is modifying as many of these factors as possible.
A person interested in a permanent cure for heartburn is probably dealing with the problem on a regular basis. The following tips address true gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). There are other causes of chest discomfort that sometimes mimic GERD including heart disease, stomach ulcers, gastric cancer, costochondritis, even asthma. If you have chest discomfort on a regular basis, check with your doctor to make sure your diagnosis is correct.
As for GERD, factors which contribute to symptomatic heartburn include smoking, being overweight, lying down after eating, taking certain medications, overeating, exercising after eating, drinking alcohol, and eating certain foods. Some of these may take months to address. Others could be changed overnight.
Many patients don’t realize that tobacco use worsens heartburn, whether in the form of smoking or chewing. Quitting is the best option, but even cutting back may make a difference. It also may depend when you imbibe: one cigarette after lunch may not be enough to induce symptoms. Half a dozen after a dinner of tacos and beer may well bring it on. I’ve had patients whose heartburn has disappeared completely just from quitting smoking.
Stopping certain medications is another potential way to eliminate heartburn overnight. The most common culprit is anti-inflammatory medication including aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen (Aleve), and various prescription forms. Even Celebrex, the cox-2 inhibitor least likely to cause stomach irritation, sometimes contributes to acid reflux symptoms. On the other hand, some patients who suffer gastric symptoms from ibuprofen find their reflux improves when their doctor switches them to Celebrex. Also, many patients are unaware that Tylenol is different from aspirin or ibuprofen. Tylenol is effective at relieving mild to moderate pain and will not contribute to acid reflux.
Changing your diet is another way to snuff out heartburn. Avoid spicy foods, onions, citrus (oranges, grapefruit, tangerines), coffee (both regular and decaf), soda, mint, fatty foods, chocolate, and the most common offender: tomato-based products. It is possible to live without pizza, tacos, spaghetti, French fries, and greasy hamburgers. The pioneers did so – you can, too.
All forms of alcohol are potential stomach irritants and should be avoided, although sometimes this is a matter of amount. A small glass of wine after dinner may not induce symptoms, whereas a six-pack of beer over a smoky poker game may do you in.
Reflux is also a matter of gravity and pressure. Whenever there is greater pressure on the abdomen, it is easier for the acid contents to be forced upward into the esophagus. Overeating is like filling a water balloon too tight – the contents are under pressure and will spurt upward much more easily than from a half-filled balloon or stomach. Excess weight pressing on the stomach does much the same, as would a tight belt. Bending over or exercising hard, especially after eating, causes the same problem. If pregnancy is the problem, childbirth is the answer.
Gravity works in your favor as long as you are upright, but lying down after a meal allows the stomach contents to spill upward. Some patients do well to elevate the head of the bed. This works best by elevating the entire head of the bed, not just using extra pillows, which may actually end up scrunching your abdomen together, thus increasing the pressure. Losing weight will help with time, but eating less will help right now.
Changing these behaviors is the first step toward snuffing out heartburn forever. If these suggestions are ineffective, it’s time to discuss medication with your doctor.
Copyright 2010 Cynthia J. Koelker, M.D.
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Source by Cynthia Koelker