To banish your heartburn, the main thing is to choose the correct and most effective solution for you. That means obtaining precise information about the genuine causes that are behind heartburn symptoms. Overall, there are three ways to handle heartburn: doctors’ classical treatments, surgical actions and natural/holistic cures. These methods have major differences in the way they are put in place and how they deal with different causative factors, as well as in their effects over a long duration.
When the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) between the esophagus and the stomach functions correctly, food is allowed to move one way into the stomach, but then kept in the stomach by the closing of the LES to prevent acidic stomach contents from being pushed back the opposite way. However, when the LES muscle relaxes incorrectly, acid stomach contents can move back to the esophagus to cause the pain of heartburn. This explains why heartburn is the outer sign of acid reflux or GERD (gastro-esophageal reflux disease). GERD is what comes about when the LES valve between the esophagus and the stomach loses its muscular force.
Physicians habitually deal with heartburn and related problems by trying to use conventional medications, some of which are available to anyone over the counter. These acid reflux OTCs can be sorted into three groups:
1. Antacid, canceling out stomach acid by covering over the food content, and characterized by products such as Maalox, Rolaids, Mylanta and Tums.
2. H2 blockers to damp down acid creation and diminish acid production in the stomach, characterized by products like Pepcid AC, Axid AR and Zantac 75.
3. PPI (Proton Pump Inhibitors) which break the proton pump action that normally releases the acid in the stomach, characterized by products including Nexium, Protonix and Prilosec.
The Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 2004 published research that found that PPIs do nothing to reduce the frequency of reflux attacks for GERD victims. Instead, PPIs simply convert acidic contents into alkali ones. The reflux still happens, but with an alkaline bile which may in fact be worse for the esophagus. Although short-term pain alleviation is promised by such drugs, long-term usage can be a significant problem. These drugs do not address the real issue, only the external manifestations. They set about this by altering the composition of the stomach chemically. These drugs typically only have short-lived effect and can induce long duration patient dependency as well as unwanted secondary effects.
If drugs are not the answer, is a surgical operation any better? Such operations are designed to stop the valve opening when it should be shut, thus blocking the flow back of gastric contents to the esophagus. The surgeon envelops the upper portion of the stomach around the lower esophageal passage in order to bolster the muscular valve at the meeting point of the esophagus and the stomach.
A sufferer who relies solely on this solution is likely to remain a sufferer. If no accompanying lifestyle or diet alterations are made, heartburn symptoms will probably be back. Associated with this solution are other risks including cramps in the abdomen, bloating, diarrhea, nauseous feelings, and glutition difficulties.
The solutions mentioned either attempt to slow down the quantity of acid produced, or cancel it out or use physio-mechanical means to artificially reinforce the LES. However, none of them deals with the real cause. The major disadvantage of these conventional methods for treating heartburn is that they all address local GERD symptoms, their only action being on the external signs and not the real cause.
Inner body balance can also be severely impacted by Candida infection as well as lifestyle and bad diet habits, including major stress and incompatible sleep patterns, leading to excess acidity, fermentation and toxin overstocking. For a real measure of progress, it is the underlying causes that must be dealt with be rid of GERD and heartburn. Acid reflux is the direct result of the simultaneous existence of diverse medical and lifestyle elements. Genetic weakness, high fat food intake, excessive weight and particular lifestyle and nutrition factors all band together to strip the LES of its muscular force which stops it from closing correctly. The only possibility to really get rid of acid reflux and to prevent it from happening again is to suppress these root causes directly.

It’s been known for some time. Many folk remedies that will significantly alleviate heartburn symptoms, even if victims must realize that a complete program of treatment must still be followed to truly eradicate heartburn. But what can folk remedies do on their own to help heartburn? The first priority for many victims of heartburn, stunned by the inadequacy of classical medicine (typically only providing temporary relief and undesirable side effects), is to know if folk remedies can do any better.
Infrequent (perhaps once a week) heartburn may happen to anyone. Chronic heartburn however immediately raises the question of GERD – gastro esophageal reflux disease, also known simply as acid reflux. Heartburn, symptom of GERD, is as its name suggests, a burning pain in the esophagus just below the breastbone.
Usually, the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) opens only to let foodstuffs into the stomach and then shuts before stomach acid can reflux into the esophagus. It is when the LES activates randomly or fails to fully close, that acid splashes back into the esophagus, attacking the lining and triggering the burning sensation of heartburn, a symptom of GERD. GERD is really a mechanical problem. It is the weakness of the LES that encourages acid reflux up into the esophageal passage from the stomach.
The problem of the strength leaking away from the LES can be due to a number of causes. Genetically inherited weaknesses, bad sleeping, obesity, stress and the wrong foods can all contribute. These are the real causes that must be dealt with directly, and not just the symptoms if real alleviation is to be gained from heartburn. Because the ineffectiveness of the LES is a major cause, just like the excess of acidity in the stomach, any appropriate solution must include measures concerning lifestyle, dietary and medical underlying causes. It should be noted that extra acidity can also be provoked as well by Candida infection, and not just certain types of diet and lifestyle.
Scientific research in the near past suggests that traditional remedies may well be effective. Folk remedies to treat with GERD were discovered far earlier than modern medicinal treatments. Examples of such folk remedies that assist in the reduction of heartburn are:
1. Lowering the foot of your bed. A 6 to 8 inches difference will limit the upward flow of gastric acid and spare your esophagus.
2. In order to position your esophagus to be higher than your stomach in bed, sleep on your left side. The disposition of the stomach (towards the left) and the esophagus entering it from the right will reduce the reflux of acid.
3. Because honey reduces inflammations in general, intake of a small amount of honey (in its natural state) will also bring alleviation to the esophagus. This is due to its antioxidant and antibacterial properties.
4. Green tea aids digestion and helps to restore the right acid/alkali balance. The effect is heightened with Ginseng.
5. Eat more but smaller meals per day. Smaller meals are easier to digest and allow you to eat more slowly, this decreasing any potential overload on your digestive system.
6. Drink water after you’ve finished one meal and before you begin the next one. Mineral water in particular can help to re-establish the acid alkaline balance in your digestive tract.
It must be remembered that while folk remedies can be excellent for symptom reduction, they need to be part of a bigger picture. As part of a full plan, folk remedies can make good contributions to the development of a heartburn free life.
Were you aware of the only effective way deal with the painful heartburn of today that can be no more than a memory tomorrow, by the use of 100% natural remedies integrating also effective folk cures?

Most people don’t realize that their lifestyle is the primary cause of their heartburn. Although it’s mainly caused by the foods and drinks they consume, some of it is caused by other things that can be changed to prevent the acid reflux and heartburn. Over the years I finally realized that with a few changes and eating the recommended foods that are natural cures I was able to cure my heartburn and acid reflux.

Here are a number of simple lifestyle (mostly common sense) changes I made which helped me cure my heartburn and acid reflux. I recommend you give these a try before taking any medicine.

The list of foods and beverages that cause heartburn is quite extensive and likely includes many foods you love. You may have to give up some of them or at least cut way back on them. Not all of the same foods and drinks trigger heartburn or acid reflux the same symptoms in everyone. You should keep a diary of what you eat to find out which food and drink affects you.

The foods and beverages I’ve listed here affect almost everyone to a degree. Some of them only affect a person when combined with others. Onions, garlic, tomatoes and citrus fruits are all heartburn triggers. High fat foods like cheese, meat, avocadoes, salad dressing, etc. can also cause heartburn or acid reflux. All deep fried foods or ones fried in oil should be avoided. Spicy foods of all types can also cause problems. Beverages such as coffee, hot chocolate, citrus fruit juices and carbonated beverages should be avoided also.

Along with avoiding the foods and beverages that can cause heartburn or acid reflux there are a number of others changes you can make that are good preventative measures. These are the ones I used to cure my heartburn and acid reflux.

Just because you’re eating the right foods doesn’t mean you should overeat. Too much of any food could cause heartburn. Try to eat smaller portions at meal time and better yet eat four or five smaller meals instead of the three big ones.

Always sit down to eat and then eat your meal slowly, putting your fork down between bites. This way you will feel full with out eating as much food. The amount of food you eat is more important than the kind you eat.

Drink the recommended amount of water to dilute the acid and to prevent dehydration while exercising. It will also fill you up so that you don’t eat too much.

Never go to bed or lay down with a full stomach, wait at least two to three hours after eating. I either walk or ride my stationary bike after eating which helps with my digestion.

Trying to lose some weight will also help relieve some heartburn symptoms. Just by following these suggestions and not even trying to diet I lost 20 pounds, which was a bonus to losing the heartburn.

Either quitting or cutting down on smoking will help as nicotine can weaken the sphincter that controls the opening from the esophagus and stomach allowing acid to enter the esophagus from the stomach.

You should stay away from alcohol. If you need to unwind after a hard day, do some exercise in place of a drink. If you’re at a party you can drink soda water with a slice of lemon.

Wait at least two hours after a meal before exercising. Even though I walk or ride my bike right after eating, I would wait if I was going to lift weights or do something strenuous.

If heartburn or acid reflux is a problem when you go to bed, raise the head of your bed (put blocks under the legs) to make your head and chest higher than your feet. Don’t try to use pillows because your head will be at an angle that can make your heartburn worse by putting pressure on your stomach.

I found that utilizing these tips and eating the right foods keeps me heartburn and acid reflux free. I do slip once in a while but I’m able to cure it quickly due to my good foundation in prevention.

Sources:

Heartburn http://www.webmd.com/heartburn-gerd/

Cleveland Clinic http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/acid_reflux/dd_overview.aspx

Lifestyle http://www.revolutionhealth.com/conditions/digestive/acid-reflux/lifestyle