Heartburn is a condition that causes discomfort, pain and – let’s be honest – it can just be very annoying. No one wants to be out for drinks with their friends, or enjoying a meal with family, only to have the experience ruined by pesky heartburn. Here, we look at some of the ways you can avoid heartburn.
What is heartburn?
Heartburn is a burning pain in your chest, just behind your breastbone. The pain is often worse after eating, in the evening, or when lying down or bending.
What are some triggers for heartburn?
There can be many reasons for heartburn – including smoking, stress and not enough sleep – but one of the most common triggers is certain foods and drinks.
If you are prone to heartburn, see how the following affect you, and consider giving them a miss where possible:
- Alcohol
- Cheese
- Chocolate
- Black pepper
- Coffee
- Fatty and fried food
- Garlic
- Mustard
- Onions
- Oranges, grapefruit and orange juice
- Peppermint
- Spicy food
- Soft drinks
- Tomato sauce
- Vinegar
Tips to avoid heartburn
Along with keeping an eye on your diet, you can also follow some of these tips to deal with heartburn.
Eat smaller meals
Too much food in one go distends the stomach, putting pressure on the ring of muscle that keeps acid in the stomach. This makes it easier for the acid to escape and cause heartburn.
Don’t eat just before bedtime
Lying down makes digestion more difficult. Finish eating at least two hours before heading for bed.
Sit up straight
Body positions that involve bending over increase pressure on the abdomen, pushing stomach acids back up the esophagus. A good excuse for not doing sit-ups after eating!
Heartburn keeping you awake at night? Nexium’s convenient single tablet daily dosage provides twenty-four-hour protection from symptoms of frequent heartburn and acid reflux. Live life less interrupted. Nexium is $16.95 from Terry White Chem Mart.
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