We see so many people with this problem, both in practice and in the health food store where Giulia works. So we decided to write an overview for this gastrointestinal condition.
What is it?
The feeling of burning discomfort or pain in you upper chest or below your sternum/breastbone could be caused by your stomach acid inflaming your oesophagus— the tube that connects your throat to your stomach— this is also called acid reflux.
Heartburn symptoms can start up because of a problem with a muscular valve located where the oesophagus meets the stomach — below the rib cage.
Normally this valve keeps gastric acid right into the stomach, opening only to allow food into the stomach or to let you belch, then it closes again. But if it opens too often or doesn’t close tightly enough, stomach acid can seep into the oesophagus and cause a burning sensation.
Symptoms
- Heartburn — a burning sensation in the middle of your chest
- An unpleasant sour taste in your mouth, caused by stomach acid
- A cough or hiccups that keep coming back
- A hoarse voice
- Bad breath (halitosis)
- Bloating and feeling sick (nausea)
What can cause acid reflux?
- Overeating, too much food in your stomach
- Too much pressure on your stomach —obesity, pregnancy, or constipation
- Certain food and drink
- Smoking
- Stress & anxiety
- Some medicines, such as anti-inflammatory painkillers (like ibuprofen)
- Hiatus hernia —when part of your stomach moves up into your chest
Tips for acid reflux:
- REDUCE / AVOID the following foods
- Coffee & tea
- Acidic foods, especially on empty stomach —vinegar, tomato, citrus fruits, pickles
- Alcohol
- Chocolate
- Peppermint & mints
- Fatty foods
- Spicy foods
- Fizzy drinks
- Very hot or very cold foods — icy drinks, gelato, hot soups…
2. Eat smaller meals and try to have 1-2 (balanced) snacks a day.
3. Allow your stomach to digest (it takes 2-3 hours) before lying down.
4. If experiencing heartburn at night, sleep with 2-3 pillows.
5. Try 10 minute meditation once a day.
6. Quit smoking.
7. To soothe the stomach drink liquorice, chamomile or marsh-mallow tea, or take 1 tbsp of Aloe vera juice.
8. If too painful take 1/4 tsp Bicarbonate of Soda in half glass of water (occasionally).
If your heartburn persists after trying on these suggestions, talk with your doctor or drop me a message on the contact box in our homepage.
Cromo Nutrition 