Heartburn

A burning sensation and pain in the stomach and chest region is termed as heartburn. Also known as pyrosis, it is generally a burning or painful sensation in the esophagus. This is caused due to the upward direction of gastric acid from the stomach to the chest. On its way up, the acid aggravates the tissues in the esophagus and the throat. Though termed heartburn, it is a digestive problem and is not concerned with the functioning of the heart. Eating fatty/oily foods, pregnancy, wearing extremely tight clothes, bending down, sleeping on a full stomach are some of the causes of heartburn. The symptoms of heartburn are bloating, gas, nausea, shortness of breath and/or an acidic or sour taste in the throat and mouth. However, heartburn can be treated at home using natural remedies

• A burning sensation in the chest
• A burning feeling in the throat
• Sour or bitter taste in the mouth
• Belching
• Difficulty in swallowing
• Chronic coughing
• Loss of appetite
• Wheezing or other asthma-like symptoms
• Mild nausea
• Formation of excessive gas
• Fullness or heaviness in the upper abdomen
• Pain between shoulders or in neck, following food

• Alcohol consumption
• Excessive intake of caffeine
• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Carbonated beverages
• Acidic juices, such as grapefruit, orange or pineapple
• Acidic foods, like tomatoes, grapefruit and oranges
• Too much of chocolate
• Smoking
• Consumption of high-fat content foods
• Eating large meals
• A hiatal hernia
• Pregnancy
• Obesity
• Primary diseases of the esophagus

• On the first sign of heartburn, it is advisable to have water in larger quantities. This would work for those, whose symptoms are not too strong.
• An easy home remedy for heartburn would be to have half a tsp of baking soda in a glass of water. It is effective in treating heartburn.
• Combine 1 tablespoonful of apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoonful of honey and 1 cup of warm water. Having this mixture would provide relief from heartburn.
• Consuming buttermilk during heartburn would bring in relief. It works very well for the ailment.
• Cinnamon is useful in treating heartburn. Make tea using cinnamon sticks. Have this tea once or twice a day. Another way to have it would be to prepare cinnamon sandwich.
• In a cup of water, add 1 ½ tsp of ginger root. Simmer this for about 10 minutes. Intake this drink as it would bring in relief for the pain.
• In a pan of 1 cup boiling water, put a tablespoon of the dried marshmallow root. Cover the pan with a lid and allow it to simmer for 15 minutes. Strain this liquid and have at least 3 - 4 cups per day.
• Drinking Aloe Vera juice acts beneficially in healing intestinal tract and thus relieving a person suffering from heartburn.
• Take 1 or 2 raw potato and wash them well. Do not peel, instead, cut them into pieces and churn them. Drink the juice immediately. The other option would be to mix it with some other juice for taste. However make sure that it is drunk instantly.
• Prepare tea using chamomile tea. Intake this tea after meals. This would relieve a person from esophageal irritation.
• Take 1 tsp of yellow mustard with about ½ glass of water. This would stop heartburn instantly.
• Take a cabbage and cut it into pieces. Immerse this in a pot of water and let it cook for about 7 minutes. Thereafter, add some mashed potatoes and a little olive oil. Have this mixture. It would heal the sensation of heartburn.