What Helps with Chronic Heartburn? All the Ways to Put Out the Fire

At the lower part of the esophagus in our body, there is a ring muscle – a "gatekeeper" – that prevents the stomach acids, which are acidic fluids, from returning back toward the esophagus. The gatekeeper opens when we eat, allowing food to pass from the esophagus to the stomach, and then closes to prevent the food from coming back up. Various situations may cause weakness of the gatekeeper, leading to a condition where stomach acids return to the esophagus, creating a strong burning sensation. This is heartburn, also known as "reflux."

Many heartburns occur at night because lying down or bending over worsens the phenomenon.

There are factors that can encourage the formation of heartburn or make it worse, such as being overweight, pregnancy, excessive coffee drinking, eating fried foods, smoking, consuming alcohol, and conditions like hiatal hernia, frequent vomiting, and more.

What Helps Relieve Heartburn, and How to Prevent It?

To prevent heartburn situations, it is advisable to consistently reduce pressure on the stomach. In cases of being overweight, it is recommended to lose weight and, generally, to maintain a normal weight. It's advisable to minimize fatty foods and foods containing caffeine and avoid smoking and alcohol. It's best to keep eating away from bedtime because lying down after eating can increase heartburn.

If heartburn already exists, suitable medications can be taken. In cases of one-time heartburn or one that occurs occasionally, antacid medications can be taken. They neutralize the acidity in the stomach and relieve the symptoms, though they do not solve the root problem. There are also medications that suppress the acidic secretions of the stomach and more.

In cases of chronic heartburn, it is advisable to consult a doctor to consider treatment with prescription medications that address the root problem and not just its symptoms. It is important to know that repeated heartburn can cause irritation in the esophagus and sometimes even esophagitis. In more severe cases, heartburn causes narrowing of the esophagus and a slight increase in the risk of developing esophageal cancer. Therefore, in cases of chronic heartburn, it is important to find out the source of the problem and treat it thoroughly.

Additionally, if there is a frequent burning and pain in the chest, it is important to see a doctor promptly, as sometimes the signs indicating a heart attack are similar to feelings of heartburn.

Home Remedies: Want to know what Grandma recommends for treating heartburn? Click here.