Heartburn is that awful burning sensation in your chest or throat that happens when stomach acid escapes into your esophagus. Eating too much, eating spicy foods or ones high in fat, or excess weight can all cause an episode. The holidays are prime time to over indulge and wind up with that awful burning sensation that can keep you up in burning misery all night long.
The good news is that there are a few simple things you can do to get rid of heartburn naturally! Here are 5 of our favorites:
1. Eat small, frequent meals instead of large ones.
When your stomach is full, it's more likely to push acid up into your esophagus. Eating smaller meals throughout the day can help prevent this from happening.
2.Avoid trigger foods.
There are some foods that are more likely to cause heartburn than others. Common trigger foods include spicy food, citrus fruits, tomatoes, fatty food, and chocolate. Pay attention to what you eat and how it makes you feel so you can identify your trigger foods and avoid them in the future.
3. Stay upright after eating.
Gravity helps keep stomach acid where it belongs—in your stomach! So, stay upright for at least a couple of hours after eating to give gravity a chance to do its job.
4. Sleep on your left side.
Sleeping on your left side keeps your stomach below your esophagus, which helps prevent acid reflux. So, if heartburn is a regular problem for you, try switching sides and see if it makes a difference!
5. Chew gum after eating.
Chewing gum stimulates saliva production, which can help neutralize stomach acid. Plus, it can help keep food from coming back up into your esophagus in the first place! Just be sure to choose a non-mint flavor, as mint can actually make heartburn worse.
If you're struggling with heartburn, don't reach for the antacids just yet! There are a few simple things you can do to get rid of heartburn naturally. From changing up your diet to sleeping on your left side, give these tips a try and see if they help relieve your symptoms!
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