Strategies for Preventing and Treating Heartburn
Heartburn can be prevented and treated in a variety of ways. In general, treatment can fall into one of three categories. There are lifestyle changes, medications and surgery. Here we look at the lifestyle changes that can be put in place in order to live more comfortably with this digestive disorder, as well as some of the medications that can bring you relief.
Lifestyle Changes
Eat Smaller Portions: If you are inclined to eating large sized meals then ease up and start eating more moderate, smaller meals. The larger the meal you consume, the more upward pressure that the esophageal sphincter must cope with. This can make reflux more likely.
Change Your Eating Habits: The type of foods you eat on a regular basis can play a role in how often you suffer from heartburn and how bad each episode is. In order to have as few problems as possible you need to avoid eating all fried and fatty foods, citrus fruits (and citrus fruit beverages), caffeine, chocolate, tomatoes and tomato products, pepper, peppermint and alcohol. Following is a look at some of the worst offenders when it comes to causing heartburn.
Foods to Avoid
Fatty, Fried Fast Foods: Before you stop in at the drive-thru at McDonald’s for a big Mac and an order of French fries perhaps you should think twice. Do you want to pay for this fast meal of greasy food with an uncomfortable heartburn attack? The majority of food that is sold at most fast food chains is not at all beneficial for a person who suffers from heartburn. In particular hamburgers, fried chicken and French fries are the worst choices. If you must eat at a fast food restaurant then opt for a salad or a grilled chicken burger.
Dairy Products: If you think drinking milk when you suffer from indigestion or heartburn is a good idea because it will coat your stomach and protect it, then unfortunately you have been misinformed. There is a selection of dairy products that actually can make these types of problems a great deal worse. Three of the worst offenders include ice cream, sour cream and cottage cheese.
Beverages: Food is not the only thing that can trigger an attack of heartburn. Alcoholic beverages are not good for those who suffer from reflux and other related problems. In particular, wine and liquor are the alcoholic beverages that you should avoid the most. Coffee and tea are two other beverages that can trigger a heartburn episode.
Pharmaceutical Options
Antacids: A doctor will sometimes recommend medication for heartburn if lifestyle modifications have not brought about the desired results. Over-the-counter antacids are an option as these do not require a prescription. There are also medications that work to halt the production of acid as well as those that aid the stomach muscles in doing their job properly. It is important to become aware of the fact that antacids do have potential side effects. The magnesium salt that is a part of antacids can cause diarrhea while the aluminum can lead to constipation. The two kinds of salts are very often found in balanced quantities in the same product in order to prevent either one of these problems from occurring. The one helps to cancel the other one out and vice versa.
Proton Pump Inhibitors: This type of medication is available by prescription only. Examples of it include Prilosec (omeprazole), Prevacid (lansoprazole), Aciphex (rabeprazole), Nexium (esomeprazole) and Protonix (pantoprazole). This medication is more effective than antacids because it can relieve practically all of the symptoms associated with heartburn. It is rare for a person suffering from heartburn to not be helped by proton pump inhibitors. In some cases, Prilosec may be able to be purchased in an over-the-counter version known as Prilosec OTC. Please be advised that you should only use proton pump inhibitors under the supervision of a physician.
Almost everyone gets a bad case of heartburn at one time or another. Some people, however, never seem to be able to get rid of it, and many suffer from severe heartburn. Learn more about the symptoms, prevention and treatment of this painful condition at Heartburn Relief.
by admin on January 5th, 2010 Tags: acid reflux, heartburn, heartburn prevention, heartburn treatment
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