7 Ways To Treat And Prevent Heartburn Without Seeing A Doctor
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Heartburn has become more common than you can imagine. It is probably the most common of all the lifestyle-related discomforts that we go through in our lifetime. And while this might seem like a non-significant side effect of a stressful life, it is actually a very dangerous condition that we must not ignore. Because heartburn is not just ‘heartburn,’ but a lot more. Having heartburn means that your body is acidic and an acidic body can lead to cancer. So, it is all the more important that you eliminate heartburn.
Here are a few ways in which you can keep heartburn a healthy distance away from yourself.
1. Sleep The Right Way
Believe it or not, sleeping in the wrong position can cause heartburn. Yes, it sounds a little stretched, but trust us, this really works. The next time you have heartburn, try sleeping on your left side. Sleeping in this position is known to help with digestion. Also, using a bed that elevates the upper part of your body is usually considered a good and scientific way to avoid heartburn. It keeps the acids of your stomach from moving up your esophagus, which, in turn, makes sure that you have no acid reflux, which is what causes heartburn to begin with (1).
2. Eat The Right Things
The next time you get heartburn, take stock of what it is that you ate that day. Chances are, you’ll be able to identify your trigger foods. From the next time onwards, just avoid them. That’s the safest way to make sure acidity doesn’t attack you unexpectedly. Mostly foods rich in citric acid, like lime and pickles, can cause acidity. Even coffee could give you acidity, especially if consumed on an empty stomach (2). Additionally, spicy deep-fried food is usually the main culprit behind sleepless nights due to acidity.
3. Eat At The Right Time
We are sure many of you must have noticed that the day you eat lunch late or skip it altogether is when acidity happens, resulting in heartburn. It is important that you eat your meals at the right time. Sometimes, overeating can also cause it. The best thing is to opt for smaller portions of food at frequent hours rather than restricting yourself to three big meals a day.
4. Give Your Body The Exercise It Needs
This might not come as a surprise, but what is surprising is the number of people who ignore this despite knowing fully well that including exercise in your daily routine is actually beneficial in many, many ways! Hence, work out whenever possible and the acidity will definitely bid you farewell soon.
5. Identify Superfoods And Make Them A Part Of Your Daily Meal
Anything that is green and not sour is actually good in fighting acidity. Another wonder food is ginger. The next time you feel bloated and uncomfortable, just try biting into one. Your eyes may tear up because of its pungency, but you will definitely feel the difference in a matter of minutes! Including healthy fats in your diet is also a very good idea.
6. Dress Comfortably
Many a times, without realizing it, we end up choosing clothes that are really uncomfortable. This also has a very direct effect on whether or not your body bloats. For example, if you wear a really tight belt with your dress, chances are your tummy will retain more water because of the constant pressure and compression (3). Not only is it uncomfortable, it is outright unhealthy. So, the next time your mom says an outfit is too tight, think of its health implications as well!
7. Keep Stress At Bay
We know that this is easier said than done, but it is imperative that we keep stress at bay not just for acidity related issues, but also for your overall health and wellbeing. And while it might seem like a bigger challenge than it is, there are ways of achieving this as well. Invest your time and money in getting enrolled in a yoga class. If yoga’s not your thing, then any workout will also do. It is all about being able to distance yourself from whatever it is that is causing you stress, and concentrating on healing and keeping it as far away from yourself as possible. And if exercise is not your thing, then you can also look at doing something that gives you happiness and peace – basically, anything that takes the stress off of you.
And here’s one more thing that you can do to keep that heartburn at bay – use baking soda. Now please remember that baking soda has to be used with caution and with the utmost care as overdoing the quantity can actually be harmful to you. It does work like magic though, but please make sure that you don’t use it wrongly. For example, using it when you are full is dangerous. Also, it is advisable that pregnant women and children do not use it at all.
Did you find this article helpful? Let us know in the comments!
