Heartburn is the uncomfortable feeling of burning and chest warmness. Though the pain at the region of chest is felt, it does not mean that it has something to do with heart. The heartburn is the condition that is caused by stomach acid. The heartburn that results repeatedly might be due to a severe conditions like gastro esophageal reflux disease. Heartburns occurring very often might control daily activities and give way for further complications like esophageal ulcers. The relief from heartburns can be attained due to clear understanding about the condition and its treatment.

It is statistically observed that about thirty percent of adults were found to be experiencing heartburn very rarely and ten percent would experience every day. The percentage of pregnant women who might experience heartburns is about 25 percent. Heartburn can be triggered by some foods, obesity, drugs and stress. These factors can be monitored and avoided to stop stimulating heartburns in every individual. The person suffering from heartburns have to look for home remedies in order to come out of the problem. The treatment for this includes diet changes, drugs and some home remedies.

The pain behind the chest bone might become still worse when the person is lying down or is bending down. Everyone at least once in their lives will face the problem of heartburn and rare occurrence of it is common and not dangerous. The discomfort due to the heartburn is managed by many people with the help of over-the-counter medications. Certain home remedies can be used for getting relief from the heartburn. But, if the heartburn is interfering in the daily activities, then it is safe to consult the physician immediately.

Symptoms of heartburn

• Burning sensation in the throat, arms, jaw, back and stomach
• Sour taste in the mouth
• Not identified by nausea or belching
• Sometimes indigestion can be due to heartburn
• The food that is not good for health can result in both heartburn and indigestion
• Chest pain due to heart attack can also be observed as heartburn
• It occurs about half an hour to one hour after having meals
• Pain while passing tools, while bending and when sleeping
• Heartburn will give relief when the person stands, take antacids and swallow saliva or water
• The stomach acid and food that moves back through esophagus to the mouth might give bitter and sour taste. This process is termed as regurgitation. This also occurs usually when the person lies down, bends over and strain
• The respiratory tract will also be affected by the stomach acid which can cause asthma, sore throat, hoarseness, chronic cough and tooth damage. The person might have a feeling that throat has a lump
• The long time exposure of esophagus to the acid might damage the passage which will lead to difficulty in swallowing
• Severe damage to esophagus might lead to weight loss and dehydration
• Some uncommon symptoms that can occur when the esophagus becomes damaged are vomiting blood and excreting bloody stools

Causes of heartburn

The food that is swallowed will pass through the esophagus and reaches the stomach for further digestion. The lower esophageal sphincter will prevent the stomach contents not to reach back from the stomach into esophagus. The stomach releases acids for food digestion while the stomach wall has a mucus layer protection which prevents the stomach from getting damaged. Esophagus does not have any such protective layer and if the lower esophageal sphincter does not get closed properly, then the food mixed with the stomach acid might move back and damage the esophageal walls. This is nothing but called as heartburn.

• Some drinks and foods are able to cause the esophageal sphincter to become loosened and these foods include peppermint, fatty acids, alcohol, chocolate and beverages that contain coffee, soft drinks and tea.
• The heartburn also is based on the position of the body and hence, the stomach acid can reach the esophagus if the person is lying down or bending down.
• The factors that enhance the pressure on the stomach and make the food to go back into the esophagus can result in causing heartburn. The stress causing factors are strain, obesity, cough, lifting, wearing tight clothes and pregnancy.
• The medical conditions can also create higher risk for creating heartburns. The conditions like diabetes, autoimmune diseases (CREST syndrome, scleroderma and Raynaud phenomenon) and Hiatal hernia are found to be causing heartburns.
• The drugs that are prescribed can expand the esophageal sphincter which involves heart medications, blood pressure and asthma drug called theophylline.
• The substances that are responsible for causing heartburn are citrus fruits, spicy foods, tomatoes, juices, aspirin, tomato sauces, cigarette smoking, drugs for osteoporosis and ibuprofen.

Home remedies for Heartburn

• It is necessary to avoid large meals
• Coffee, tea and soft drinks can be avoided
• Avoid drinking fluids and eating foods that decrease the pressure on the esophageal sphincter
• Do not take foods that damage the esophagus walls like spicy food, citrus fruits and so on
• Stop doing activities that push back the undigested food or partially digested food to go back into the esophagus
• Do not lie down within three hours after eating meals
• The heartburn that occurs at the night time can be dealt by elevating the bed at the head region
• The weight has to be lost if the person is obese
• Smoking has to be stopped
• Alcohol consumption should be limited
• Papaya tablets that are chewable can be bought from the health stores which are helpful in decreasing the heartburn
• The injured intestinal tract is treated using Aloe Vera juice
• After eating meals drinking chamomile tea can bring relief from irritation
• The esophageal and stomach ulcers are managed by the doctors by using Licorice which is also used for treating heartburn
• Drinking a glass full of water when the heartburn symptoms are felt can bring a temporary relief and in fact can subside the condition in some cases
• The raw potatoes are washed well and without peeling them they are grinded and made into juice. To add taste it can be added with some other juices and taken immediately to fight with heartburn
• Changes in the life style can bring sometimes necessary relief from heartburns
• Calcium is one of the effective natural heartburn remedy
• The herbal product called Iberogast which is made from various herbs is useful for treating heartburn. The herbs in this product include German Chamomile, lemon balm, Angelica, Clown’s mustard plant, Greater celandine, Caraway, Licorice, Peppermint, and Milk thistle
• Iberogast is known to decrease the acid reflux. But, the actual ingredient that is used for the treatment of heartburn is not known in this product
• Some studies have revealed that the dietary supplement that comprises of L-tryptophan, vitamin B6 and B12, melatonin and folic acid are known to bring some relief to the GERD symptoms. This combination is found to be more effective than the drug for heartburn like Prilosec
• Some studies also proved that melatonin is alone sufficient to effectively protect digestive tract
• Milk is known to be helpful in buffering the stomach acid temporarily while the fats in the milk are found to be stimulating the stomach to secrete more acid. Milk taken in limited quantities is fine for working as heartburn remedy as it has enough quantities of calcium
• Chewing gum is also considered as the source for managing the stomach acid as it stimulated the secretion of more saliva which acts as a source that can buffer the acid in the stomach
• It is necessary to eat anything long before the bed time and keep the stomach empty while sleeping
• The food intake must be slow consisting of small bites
• It is good to know and remember about the foods that led you to suffer from heartburn and avoid taking them next time
• Good exercises can be done to avoid acid reflux
• A teaspoon of baking soda mixed with water can bring instant relief from heartburn
• Eating apple when the problem arises is reported to have helped some people
• A tablespoon of dark brown sugar was found to have worked for some people
• Yellow mustard taken a tea spoon full has shown a good recovery from heartburn for some people
• One-fourth tea spoon of baking soda with one tea spoon of vinegar mixed in around four to five ounces of water is found to be giving excellent relief for heartburn
• Eating Wrigley juicy fruit is found to be giving good relief from heartburn
• Two tea spoons of honey taken after eating meals can decrease heartburn and irritation
• The solution that is prepared with two spoons of baking soda, half glass of water and fresh lemon squeezed into it has to be taken immediately after it is prepared. This brings lot of relief
• A teaspoon of organic apple cider vinegar can bring relief or reduce the heartburn
• The vegetable juices of carrot, beetroot, radish and cucumber can help in reducing the acid in the stomach