Heartburn is referred to as acid reflux disease, which is mainly caused due to minor dysfunction of lower esophagus muscles. In this disease, the acids from the stomach reflux to the esophagus causing a burning sensation in the chest. Some foods or habits may worsen the burning sensation but you can manage heartburn with these 10 lifestyle changes:
1. Have dinner at least 2 hours before sleeping
When you are in a sleeping position, you are more likely to get heartburn than while standing or sitting. Due to this if you sleep immediately after dinner the acids will reflux and lead to severe heartburn. Hence, it is advisable to have dinner at least 2-3 hours prior to bedtime so that the food is well digested and the acids do not flow back to your esophagus.
2. Avoid citrus fruits and other vegetables causing heartburn
Citrus fruits contain natural acids. When they enter your stomach, they may release more acids and worsen your heartburn. Hence, avoid having citrus fruits or juices and vegetables like tomatoes and onions to manage heartburn.
3. Quit smoking
Cigarette contains nicotine, which can weaken, or damage the lower oesophageal sphincter. This organ is responsible for controlling the opening between your stomach and esophagus. Constant smoking can lead to a wide opening, which will allow the acids to enter your esophagus causing heartburn.
4. Switch to comfortable clothing
If you suffer from heartburn constantly and love wearing tight or skin fitted clothes then it’s high time you stop doing so! Tight clothes such as high waist jeans, skirts, body shapers, etc put unnecessary pressure on your stomach that may add to your heartburn.
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5. Improve your bed structure
Sleeping with piles of pillows under your head and legs will surely not help you to manage your heartburn. Instead, just add a few blocks under the head and leg of your bed. This will allow you to maintain an ideal sleeping position and prevents the stomach acids from reflux.
6. Maintain a healthy weight
Being overweight can add to heartburn problems as it puts more pressure on your stomach and leads to problems with the digestive system and blood circulation. A healthy weight may help you a lot to manage heartburn.
7. Avoid alcohol and spicy food
Alcohol is anyway not good for the body and in case of heartburn, it is a big “NO-NO”! Both spicy food and alcohol increase the acid level in your stomach, which triggers heartburn.
8. Eat slow and small
If your stomach is full all the time, it will lead to indigestion and further to heartburn. Hence, experts advise having 4-5 small meals during a day, as it will digest soon. Also, eat your food slowly in order to analyze how hungry you actually are and avoid overeating.
9. Do not make heavy body movements after eating
After eating, a small walk is okay but making extreme body movements or even bending is not advisable as it may trigger the stomach acids to reflux.
10. Avoid consuming medicines that irritate the esophagus
Some medicines for basic aches or painkillers can also release acids in your stomach and cause heartburn. See to it that you avoid such medicines and find a substitute for them.
It takes minor lifestyle changes to maintain good health and to get rid of issues like manage heartburn.
Reference:
https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/condition-15/heartburn/treating-acid-reflux-disease-with-diet-lifestyle-changeshttps://www.webmd.com/heartburn-gerd/guide/lifestyle-changes-heartburnhttps://www.health.harvard.edu/digestive-health/9-ways-to-relieve-acid-reflux-without-medication
