NATURAL WAYS TO RELIEVE HEARTBURN (ACID REFLUX) III

Today's post will list two ways to naturally find relief from occasional heartburn. Remember if heartburn continues in a prolong manner, see your doctor. It could be the sign of a different problem that your doctor should treat.

• Chamomile Tea: Sometimes we only think of chamomile tea as a sleep-inducer, but it also acts as a stomach soother. Research from the journal Nutrients found that this tea has anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce gastrointestinal discomfort from heartburn. It is suggested you drink a cup after meals or at bedtime for relief.
• Fenugreek: If you are not familiar with this one, it is an herb used in ancient Chinese medicine. It many cases it can ease heartburn as well as medication. Again. we rely on research in the journal Nutrients which found that the plant-fiber supplement forms a protective layer over the stomach and esophagus when taken 30 minutes before meals.

If you suffer from occasional heartburn, you might want to give one of the relief methods listed over the past few days.

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NATURAL WAYS TO RELIEVE HEARTBURN (ACID REFLUX) II

Continuing the posts on natural ways to relieve heartburn (acid reflux), today's post is a tasty one. Snack on bananas. Bananas offer multiple heartburn-busting benefits. Scientists have found that bananas ease reflux symptoms quickly by neutralizing stomach acid. Bananas are also rich in pectin, a type of soluble fiber that helps keep food moving through the digestive tract, preventing stomach acid from building up. 

If you have a problem occasionally with acid reflux, better known as heartburn, you may want to keep some bananas on hand. And as always, if the problem persists, see your doctor.

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NATURAL WAYS TO RELIEVE HEARTBURN (ADIC REFLUX)

 Following up on our last post about acid reflux, here is a quick and easy way to relieve heartburn:

• Massage your inner wrist. Studies show that stimulating acupressure points can relieve acid reflux symptoms by up to 40%. When you apply pressure to the point in the center of the underside of your wrist, you will help stop the esophageal sphincter from relaxing too much. Thid keeps stomach acid from rising up. How to do this? Press your thumb on the spot between the two tendons in your wrist and move it in circles for 2 to 3 minutes.

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Tomorrow we will share another relief idea. REMEMBER, IF ACID REFLUX CONTINUES, SEE YOUR DOCTOR.

QUESTIONS FROM A NURSE

 In 2021 a lady who had been a nurse for 13 years wrote an article on facebook. She questioned why doctors don't do certain things for their patients. Following are a couple of the questions she asked that I believe are worthwhile to the public. 

• Why don't doctors tell patients to take magnesium instead of stool softeners (Which dehydrate the bowel)?
• Why don't doctors tell you to change your diet when you have heart burn and indigestion, instead of giving you Prilosec (this causes more heartburn, colon cancer & osteoporosis and leaves food fermenting in your body)?

I am not a nurse or doctor, just a patient. I admit I have never had to deal with either of the problems mentioned above so I am not giving my opinion on any of them. I am just sharing some thoughts some of you may find interesting.

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LESSEN HEARTBURN

 If you suffer from occasional heartburn you might want to try these diet fixes:

• Barbara Wendland, RD, author of Chronic Heartburn: Managing Acid Reflux and GERD Through Understanding, Diet and Lifestyle, says that keeping portions in check is a simple way for most people to lessen or avoid acid reflux.  She says that eating too much can overfill your stomach and cause discomfort, as can eating too close to bedtime. Did you know it is harder for your body to digest food when you are lying down?
• Lawrence Taw, MD, a UCLA clinical professor, has said that some herbs can lessen heartburn and suggests drinking a cup of chamomile, ginger or licorice tea with your meal.  He went on to say that cold foods and drinks can make the muscles tighten and cause backup that leads to reflux. He suggests that those having a problem with reflux or heartburn avoid things like ice water and frozen yogurt.
• David C. Metz, MD, professor of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital suggests that GERD smokers should quit smoking and those who are overweight should lose weight.  He says that over-the-counter antacids to neutralize stomach acid can help but if symptoms continue for a couple of weeks, you should see your doctor.
• The professionals say fatty foods such as fried foods, full-fat cheeses, and veggies in lots of oil should be avoided in those who have heartburn. High fat foods are digested more slowly causing the stomach to produce more acid which is the culprit.
• The following acidic culprits should be avoided while suffering with heartburn: chocolate, peppermint, coffee, alcohol, carbonated beverages, tomato sauces, and citrus fruits and juices.

 

HEARTBURN AND VITAMIN B12 DEFICIENCY

If you have a lot of heartburn that you choose to treat yourself with OTC antacids, you should pay a visit to your doctor, especially if you are feeling tired.  Did you know that chewing a lot of antacids can cause a vitamin B12 deficiency?  Antacids interfere with the absorption of vitamin B12.  The occasional antacids are not what we are talking about here.  This is referring to those who are continually chewing antacids and not checking in with their doctors. 

A deficiency of vitamin B12 causes fatigue and according to Danine Gruge, MD, associate medical director of the Pritikin Longevity Center and Spa in Miami, Florida, this deficiency is often found in persons who don't eat much animal protein.

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