Despite what the name might suggest, heartburn has nothing to do with your heart. Instead, it is a burning pain in your chest, just behind your breastbone; it occurs when stomach acid backs up into your esophagus. The discomfort is usually after eating, in the evening, or when you lie down or bend. When it hits, Plano heartburn can last for just a few minutes or as long as several hours.
Usually, occasional heartburn is no cause for alarm; most people can manage heartburn discomfort with lifestyle changes and nonprescription medication. However, frequent heartburn that interferes with your every day may be a symptom of an underlying problem that requires medical care. The good news is that you don’t have to suffer discomfort; these tips can help you avoid heartburn.
Eat small meal portions
Watching your portion sizes at meals goes a long way to preventing heartburn. Eating large meals in one sitting strains your lower esophageal sphincter – the valve that keeps stomach acid out of your esophagus. Overeating or eating too quickly puts more pressure on our lower esophageal sphincter, making acid reflux more likely. If you are prone to heartburn, eat small meals instead of one large portion. You also want to eat slowly and take time to chew and drink beverages since eating too fast can trigger heartburn.
Sleep on your left side
Sleeping on your left side limits stomach acid reflux; it is the best position if you need to nap or sleep immediately after a meal. Lying on your left side allows gravity to keep acid out of the esophagus due to the stomach’s shape. Consider using a foam wedge pillow to elevate your head and chest higher than your feet. Doing so prevents and eases heartburn. However, avoid pilling pillows; this is ineffective and may worsen your symptoms.
Take steps to lose extra pounds
Obesity is a common risk factor for heartburn, frequent acid reflux, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. When you are overweight, you put extra pressure on your stomach, making it more likely for acid to back up into the esophagus. Therefore, losing excess pounds and staying within your ideal weight can help you avoid heartburn. The first step to achieving this is eating healthy foods and getting at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week. Besides preventing acid reflux, losing extra weight lowers your risk of type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, and hypertension.
Quit smoking
Smoking is a bad habit; it can cause heartburn and severe illnesses like lung cancer. It also affects the effectiveness of the valve that prevents stomach acid from backing up into the esophagus. Quitting smoking can minimize or eliminate the frequency and severity of acid reflux. Most people need help quitting smoking since it can be challenging.
Trade your tight clothes for loose-fitting apparel
Tight clothing presses your stomach; this can cause the acid to move up into the esophagus, causing heartburn. You can avoid this by wearing loose clothing that doesn’t add pressure to your stomach. Besides preventing acid reflux, loose clothing may help improve your overall comfort.
The above tips can help you prevent or ease the discomfort of heartburn. If you are experiencing heartburn twice a week, visit your doctor at Lonestar Bariatrics for evaluation.
