Many adults and pregnant women suffer from heartburn. Even though the name implies that heartburn is related to a heart problem, it isn’t. Although some people do mistake heart troubles for heartburn. Some sufferers say it’s like a chest pain that moves upwards with a bitter taste in their mouth (this is the acid regurgitation) and some describe it as a burning sensation behind the breastbone.

Heartburns are normally triggered by eating, lying down, bending, straining or stooping. It also affects 1 in 4 pregnant women in their 3rd trimester (possibly because the baby is pushing onto the mother’s stomach).

Heartburn is also called by other names, including sour stomach, indigestion, or pyrosis. Heartburn is the most common symptom of gastro-esophageal reflux (GERD), also known as acid reflux. Whilst Heartburn is one of the primary symptoms of GERD, it is not the sole symptom. Sometimes, people get a sour taste in their mouth instead of a burning pain. This sour taste in their mouth is acid regurgitation.

Unfortunately, changes in your diet can help alleviate your heartburn symptoms, similar to natural home remedies. But the main trouble is that they do not cure the cause of heartburn. Acid reflux or GERD, and other digestive disorders, allow heartburn, and certain types of food can aggravate the pain. So whilst it does help to reduce intake of alcohol, acidic foods, tomatoes, chocolate, fatty foods, overeating etc. it is not the way to cure your acid reflux or permanently stop heartburn.

Antacids are available over-the-counter or off-the-shelf without a need for prescription. Your doctor or pharmacist will advise you of the dose needed and how often you should take it. While antacids can provide relief within minutes, they are considered a temporary solution for excess stomach acid i.e. for mild heartburn sufferers, and are not for continued consumption as they are not a holistic natural remedy for heartburn. What’s more, when taken for longer periods, they may stimulate your stomach to produce extra amounts of acid.

This also applies to baking soda and water - a natural remedy for heartburn. Whilst it can bring relief, it is not a cure for heartburn and should only be used occasionally. The baking soda heartburn remedy should not be used by those on a low salt regime. Another home remedy is to consume honey after eating.

However, antacids, honey and baking soda remedies are considered to be symptomatic treatments. This is because they only treat the symptoms but do not address the cause. A complete natural remedy for heartburn would target the digestive disorder itself.

A holistic natural remedy for heartburn will invariably help your body’s defenses in fighting other digestive disorders. The reason being that a holistic remedy helps your body heal itself by strengthening it. Thus encouraging our bodies to work the natural way we were made to stay healthy. This also helps you avoid any side effects that drugs may cause. However, be sure to be prepared for any “healing crisis”. A healing crisis can happen when your body finds that it is able to start flushing out toxins that it was previously helpless to deal with. And thus, you may find yourself feeling ill or weak as your body rigorously works on a detox.

Tags: Digestive Disorders