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Tips To Stop Heartburn - By: Cindy Heller, Posted on: 2007-09-02

There are several ways to stop heartburn with the use of natural and pharmaceutical products. The ultimate goal to stop heartburn should be from temporary episodes to permanent relief. Natural methods to stop heartburn include making dietary and lifestyle changes and taking natural products to relieve the symptoms. The most common method today is to pop a couple of antacid tablets to quickly dilute the acids regurgitated from the stomach. Antacids have been found to work best for stress-related heartburns.

For people who suffer from frequent heartburn, they need to transition their treatment from using antacids and other medications to making the necessary changes to eventually stop heartburn. Ninety percent of heartburn episodes are triggered by the foods and drinks one consumes during a meal; especially the last meal before bedtime.

The first dietary step to stop heartburn is to control the amount of food consumed. The intake of fats in large meals is high. These remain in the bloated stomach for a long time to be digested. The stomach is unable to contain its acidic contents and some escape as acid reflux. This acid burns the sensitive inside walls of the esophagus resulting in the heartburn symptoms. Since these symptoms are felt in the chest area, many people are frightened that they may be feeling the onset of a heart attack. In summary, take smaller sized meals up to five times a day, rather than the traditional three larger ones.

Foods To Avoid To Stop Heartburn

Knowing which foods and drinks to avoid help one from future episodes of heartburn. If this is done consistently, it may be possible to completely stop heartburn.

The common foods and drinks to avoid include the following:

1. Spicy dishes like those found in Indian and Mexican diets
2. Tomato rich dishes like those found in Italian pastas and pizzas
3. Chocolates, Donuts, Creamy desserts
4. Citrus based fruits and desserts; containing oranges and lemons
5. Certain forms of potatoes: mashed potatoes and French fries
6. Raw Onions
7. Caffeinated drinks, Alcoholic beverages
8. Some dairy products: sour cream, ice cream and cottage cheese

Smoking has been found to weaken the esophageal sphincter muscle that keeps a lid on the stomach's caustic contents. Smoking is key risk factor that causes acid reflux.

There are several steps that can be taken to put a stop to heartburn. Sensible lifestyle and dietary changes can be made to reduce heartburn symptoms. Some medications like antacids can bring about quick heartburn relief. A consistent treatment plan will help the sufferer put a stop to heartburn.

Vitamins For Heartburn

There are certain vitamins and minerals if taken may help the body recover from heartburn. However, the use of vitamins for heartburn treatment would only be effective if other essential lifestyle and dietary changes are made.

Seek Medical Advice Before Using Vitamins for Heartburn

In general, taking vitamins to supplement heartburn treatments should not require prior medical advice. However, to ensure that the right vitamins are being considered in the right doses, discuss these with your doctor. In rare cases, some vitamins taken in the wrong doses may result in adverse reactions and aggravate heartburn.

If one is looking for a vitamin for heartburn, then Vitamin C is a good candidate. Vitamin C taken twice daily of between 250 milligrams to 500 milligrams each time has been found to keep stomach acidity in check and therefore heartburn.

The body's ability to maintain optimum pH levels in the stomach allows the effective digestion of food consumed and readily releases vitamins from food sources. Vitamins like B-12 prevent and remove bacterial outbreaks in the stomach. The optimum pH level of 3.0 or less stimulates the release of vitamins for heartburn relief.

If a health supplement containing vitamin B, choline, thiamin and pantothenic acid is taken regularly, heartburn may be cured within a month and the painful symptoms are likely to disappear gradually.

If 500 milligrams of vitamin B1, known also as thiamin, is taken in the morning before breakfast, heartburn symptoms may be relieved. For chronic cases, the combination of vitamins B1, B5 and choline will aid in heartburn relief. In summary, there are vitamins for heartburn that can be taken to rid of the painful and discomforting symptoms.

Article Source: http://www.girlarticles.com

Cindy Heller is a professional writer. Visit herbal heartburn remedies to learn more about heartburn indigestion symptom and other homeopathic heartburn cures.