Heartburn And Indigestion: What Should You DoThere is probably not a single person who has never suffered from heartburn or indigestion. In fact they come together: heartburn being one of the indications of indigestion. It may be caused by an imprudent and ill timed snack or something overly spiced; but the following quick fixes will help fix such gastro-intestinal demons. Heartburns often occur very suddenly. Therefore, the first thing to remember is to stand up once the pain hits home. This will help keep the excessive acid from flowing backwards in to the oesophagus and thereby lessen the pain. The next thing to do is, of course, getting a glass of cool, fresh water. This will help wash away the remnant acid. Following this consume a mixture of one tablespoon of baking soda and half a glass of water. This will help neutralize the excess acid which caused the heartburn and indigestion. A word of caution here to pregnant women and those with hyper tension: this mixture can lead to water retention in your body or increase your blood pressure. Changing and modifying certain lifestyle habits also helps control indigestion and heartburn. Bananas help decrease heartburn. So incorporating a banana into your daily diet will help improve this condition. If you already have indigestion you could try a fresh papaya or pineapples or even the juice of these fruits. These fruits help to restore balance in your stomach naturally. Some people swear by mustard: about a teaspoon full would do. The next step is to identify types of food which are most often the culprits. This list includes alcohol, garlic, caffeinated drinks, soda pop, citrus fruits, tomato, etc. these are most often the causes of indigestion and heartburn, especially in the middle of the night. To prevent the acid from coming up your oesophagus causing painful heartburns, you can try sleeping on your left side or at an upward angle. There should be at least a two hour gap between your last meal and the time you go to bed. This will help in digestion. Imprudent eating, you must remember, is the commonest cause of heartburn and indigestion. Instead of consuming a lot at one go, eat in small portions which are well-spaced out. Remember that heartburn can lead to several other serious conditions. So do not ignore it if you frequently suffer from it or when attacks are accompanied by vomiting. Visit a doctor as soon as you can. The oesophagus doesn't have a mucus lining like the stomach and therefore the acid causes irritation (read excruciating pain) and can lead to ulceration. The key to a life free from the travails of heartburn and indigestion is to adopt a healthy eating habit: avoid fatty and spicy foods by all means. |