How to Treat Severe Heartburn

Do have frequent pain under your sternum? A constant acid taste in your throat? Problems swallowing?

Even trouble sleeping and some weight gain? You have heard that everyone has a little bit of heartburn, but nothing like this.

If your once occasional heartburn has turned into severe heartburn, you may have a condition known as GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease). GERD is a chronic form of heartburn which occurs more than a few times a week.

The symptoms may be so severe that they interfere with your lifestyle. Such as you avoid eating certain foods, don’t feel like exercising, and even have disturbed sleep.

In addition to losing and maintaining your weight, there are certain foods that you should eliminate from your diet. Some of the foods you should avoid are spicy, acidic, fatty, and fried foods.

There are also certain items of consumption that relax the sphincter that should be a one-way valve from your esophagus to your stomach. They include caffeine, chocolate, alcohol, and tobacco.

Another thing that you can do to lessen your symptoms is to avoid large meals, especially dinner. Eating several smaller meals throughout the day is a better option. You can also sleep elevated and wear looser clothing.

As well as changing your lifestyle, there are some medications that can help curb your symptoms. There are two categories of heartburn medications, one that prevents the onset and the other helps eliminate symptoms once the onset has already begun.

It is important that you see your doctor about any medication before trying them. The first type of medication that stops the onset of heartburn contains H2 blockers or proton-pump inhibitors.

The other type of medication you can find almost anywhere over-the-counter (your regular antacid).