Heartburn
Heartburn is a burning sensation felt behind the breastbone following eating. The condition is caused by the reflux of gastric contents into the oesophagus and is often referred to as reflux oesophagitis. In many instances, the condition can be improved radically simply by changing the diet and taking some herbal supplements.
It is ridiculous to take antacid medication continually without looking into the problem and trying to solve it. Follow the suggested dietary changes set out and see if your condition improves. If it doesn’t, I suggest you consult a specialist who can do an endoscopy to have a look at your stomach and oesophageal lining.
Treatment & Prevention Program
- Cut out all acidic foods such as wine, orange juice, tomato juice, cheese, beer, citrus fruits, white sugar and processed and prepackaged food. Do this for at least six weeks to see an improvement. Then slowly reintroduce a few acidic foods once every second or third day.
- Eat regularly and avoid leaving the stomach empty for longer than four hours. In fact, it is ideal to have a snack in between meals, even if it is just a banana.
- Try to eat simple foods that are gentle on the stomach. Porridge in the morning is ideal, and mashed potato and soup are great to incorporate into your daily diet. Cooked vegetables are more soothing to the stomach than salads.
Supplements
Sometimes vitamins can upset the digestive system so it’s always best to check with your naturopath or health professional before taking any vitamins.
Try slippery elm bark powder or capsules as this herb is soothing and healing to the irritated lining of the digestive system. It is referred to as a mucilagenous herb as it is sticky when mixed with warm water, and if taken before eating it protects against inflammation of the oesophagus. It is safe for long-term use. The powder is better than the capsules in the first month of treatment. When mixing the powder, stir a teaspoonful quickly in warm water and drink within 6-8 seconds, otherwise the mixture will coagulate. The capsules are ideal at lunch if it’s inconvenient for you to mix the powder.
Slippery elm bark is also great to use as a preventative in times of stress, when you may produce extra acid in the stomach. It is one of the best herbs available to keep the bowel regular and stop acid building up after eating refined foods. Take two to three capsules before each meal. Take the same dose before bed if you have heartburn. Continue until your condition improves.
Tagged under:breastbone burning sensation dietary changes endoscopy Health Care heartburn herbal supplements medication oesophagus reflux oesophagitis
Filed under: Health Care