Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Healing The Heartburn





























Do you ever felt a burning sensation under your breastbone after a hearty meal? The truth is, you could have heartburn, where acidic gastric juices travel up your esophagus. Try these tips to find relief:

Don't sleep on a full stomach
Wait at least two to three hours after a meal before hitting the sack. This allows the stomach acid to dissipate, reducing the chance of heartburn.

Take smaller, longer meals
Eat smaller portions throughout the day instead of three larger meals. Take your time to chew and savour food.

Sneaky triggers
Certain food and beverages relax the lower throat(esophagus) causing heartburn. Avoid onions, chocolate, caffeinated beverages, citrus fruits or juices, tomato sauce or deep-fried foods. Not everyone may react to the same thing, so keep a food diary to narrow down what food triggers a possible heartburn.

Stop smoking and drinking
Nicotine and alcohol weaken the muscles that control the opening between the esophagus and the stomach. Try drinking warmer beverages such as green tea.

Slim down
Being overweight increases abdominal pressure that can lead to heartburn. Losing the extra kilos can help alleviate the condition.

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