Heartburn is a burning sensation that crawls up from your abdomen to your chest, accompanied by a bitter taste in your throat and mouth. Its name may suggest otherwise, but this condition has nothing to do with the heart. Heartburn occurs when the stomach acids move back to the esophagus, termed as an acid reflux. The acids irritate the esophagus, causing the burning sensation.
For starters, eating properly is the first precept to remember. Food shaped with obtuse edges or are rough to the touch must be avoided as they can cause small wounds as they move from the mouth and through to the stomach for ingestion. These foods damage the lower esophageal sphincter, and as such, must be avoided.
Avoid any foods that may trigger the heartburn. Keep a food diary to monitor the food that you eat, and the certain drinks. Common triggers can include: citrus fruits, chocolate, peppermint, spearmint, tomatoes, raw onions, garlic, black pepper, vinegar, fatty foods, spicy foods, coffee, citrus juice, carbonated beverages, and any alcoholic beverages can trigger heartburn.
Heartburn can also be a symptom of conditions like gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD), pregnancy, hiatal hernia, acid regurgitation, peptic ulcer, stomach emptying disorders, gastrointestinal motility disorder or even coughing too hard. Medications to treat respiratory problems, heart problems, blood pressure, arthritis, osteoporosis, anxiety, depression, insomnia, Parkinson’s disease and cancer are also known to cause heartburn. The use of aspirin can also cause heartburn.
