I am here to tell you about one of the most common health related issue, which a lot of people go through, but are unable to understand till the severity of the problem reaches its maximum height. I am talking about heartburns or acid reflux. Read below to know about this issue in detail:
• What is heartburn or acid reflux?
It is nothing, but a burning sensation or pain felt around the lower chest area. There is no specific time when you go through this issue; it can happen almost any time, even when you are at work or sitting idle. It happens when the stomach acid crawls back into the food pipe. Since the entire process turns the other way around, you feel these terrible stinging sensations around your heart. The burning sensations are commonly known as heartburns.
• What are the causes of acid reflux?
There are a lot of causes that lead to this problem; some of the most common ones are:
o Hiatal hernia, in which the LES (Lower Esophageal Sphincter) and the upper area of the stomach crawl above the diaphragm, which is nothing, but a muscle that keeps the stomach away from the chest. This is the muscle that keeps the acid in stomach. However, when you have hiatal hernia, the acid moves to the esophagus, due to which you get the ugly 'heartburns.'
o When you overeat or eat more than your regular appetite (just to suffice the cravings of your tongue), you are bound to go through the problem of acid reflux.
o Obesity is one of the most common causes of acid reflux.
o When you skip your meals or eat untimely, heartburns pull you down.
o Pregnant women are bound to suffer from acid reflux.
o Smokers are often seen going through this issue more than the non-smoking crowd in the world.
o There are certain medicines that affect the acid in the stomach, leading to acid reflux.
• What are the symptoms of acid reflux?
Read below to know about some of the common symptoms of acid reflux:
o There is a constant 'heartburning' or a terrible stinging pain-like sensation near the lower chest area or even in the throat. The moment you go through such an issue, get it checked by a good doctor; acid reflux can make you suffer a lot, if it is not treated in time.
o You often have a sour or bitter taste in your mouth, without eating anything at all. This is nothing, but a common symptom of acid reflux.
o If your stomach bloats often, especially if you have eaten a moderate amount of food, it is a sign of acid reflux.
o Bitter-burps.
o Feeling of having the food stuck in the throat area.
o Breathlessness.
o Ugly hiccups, which don't seem to be going away.
o Constant nausea, despite doing different things to get rid of it.
o Unintentional weight loss.
o Sore throat.
o Dry dough.
• How does acid reflux affect your daily life?
If you go through severe acid reflux, you are bound to face a lot of challenges in your daily life activities. You may have terrible heartburns at work, due to which you are unable to concentrate on all those things that you wish to do to progress.
Heartburning sensations can be bad enough to spoil your mood. Unless you get used to the feeling, you are just not able to ignore or avoid them. A lot of people with acid reflux issues are often noticed going through the problem of mood swings. You may have terrible fights with your partner, because you are unable to do things that you are expected to.
Sometimes, you can't eat the things that you like, despite your cravings for the same. For an instance, even if you like spicy food, the acid reflux problem won't let you enjoy the same.
• How to cure Heartburn?
You can either depend upon medicines, which are easily available in the market or depend upon some of the home remedies, which are natural and keep you away from chemicals. Some of the home remedies are:
o Chewing gums
o Keeping your chin high and avoiding lying down in the bed.
o Keeping an eye on what you eat (avoid unhealthy and deep fried items) and the quantity of food you eat.
o Eating bananas to soothe down the sensations.
o Avoiding overly tight clothes, which don't allow you to breathe properly.
o Keeping away from alcohol and cigarettes.
This article originally appeared on Heartburnmore
This blog is very informative.
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