The symptoms of acid reflux and heartburn can be distressing for many people and may include bloating, burning pain, breathing problems, difficulty sleeping and coughing. Given the problems that heart-burn and acid reflux related issues can cause, many people find they are not able to lead the active lives they desire and begin to look for relief. While there are pharmaceuticals and drugs available over-the-counter to treat these conditions, relief from retail solutions is usually only temporary in nature. Proton pump inhibitors and antacids typically wear off, leaving the individual still suffering. Fortunately, there are a number of drug-free, natural treatments as well as lifestyle changes that can bring about long-term relief from heartburn and acid reflux.

One of the first steps that should be taken is to stop using acid reducers and antacids. Over-the-counter products often create what is known as a feedback loop within the digestive tract that actually creates even more acid in the stomach as well as more pain. The more medicine you consume to battle acid reflux, the more medicine your body needs.

It is also important to make sure that you elevate the upper part of the body while you are sleeping. Try raising the head of your bed or use a wedge pillow if you find that you experience burning sensations or reflux while you are lying down. Another good way to help in relieving acid reflux is to make sure that you eat smaller meals on a more frequent basis. Take the time to slowly chew your food so that it becomes mixed well with saliva. This is important because saliva assists in breaking down your food, meaning less acid will be required to break down the food once it reaches your stomach. You might also consider adjusting your diet as well. Bad dietary habits and eating the wrong types of food can be major contributors in creating acid reflux and heartburn. Make it a point to include foods in your diet that are known to reduce the symptoms of acid reflux and heartburn.

There are also natural, healthy substances you can take that can assist with the pain related to heartburn and acid reflux. These substances include honey. Try taking just a teaspoon of honey directly by mouth. This is quite soothing and can provide almost immediate relief from the symptoms associated with acid indigestion. Make sure to use unrefined honey. In addition, there are also many herbs that are known to provide relief from heartburn. Licorice is one of these substances, known for providing a soothing sensation to the digestive tract. Another herb that may assist in naturally relieving acid reflux is basic. Simply chewing on a basil leaf can often bring about relief from heartburn pain.

There is no reason to subject your body to over-the-counter medications or to suffer from the pain of acid reflux when there are many natural and holistic methods for curing heartburn, indigestion and acid reflux. Find out more when you download the Reflux Remedy Report at refluxremedy.com now.

Hiatal hernias happen when a section of the stomach abnormally shifts to another area. The new location could be in the chest area or adjacent to the esophagus. There are also two kinds of hiatal hernias: sliding and rolling. The difference between the two is determined based on the new location of the stomach. Hiatal hernias occur because of a weak diaphragm? When your diaphragm isn’t as strong as it should be, it may open wider than normal and allow the stomach to move up, beyond the diaphragm. It is important for you to become knowledgeable about the warning signs and symptoms of a hiatal hernia. This will allow you to familiarize yourself with this condition so that you can’t try to detect whether or not you are suffering from it. Early detection will enable you and your doctor to get you back to good health.

Hiatal hernia is not something that can be totally diagnosed based on how you feel. Self diagnosis is very hard to do because the symptoms of hiatal hernia may reflect another disease or condition. Often times, signs of a hiatal hernia are very similar to the symptoms of GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease. Symptoms of GERD may include a burning pain in the throat, chest, regurgitation, hoarseness, and a sore throat. Common physical issues that are associated with a hiatal hernia are pain in the stomach and chest.

Heartburn and chest pain are two of the major signs of hiatal hernia. When stomach acid goes up into the esophagus, this causes irritation. Stomach acid is meant to be used to break down and digest food particles within the stomach. If stomach acid goes outside of the stomach, it essentially will have the same properties and effects. Stomach acid in the esophagus is harmful and corrosive because of the level of acidity. Heartburn doesn’t actually affect your heart. When the stomach acid enters your esophagus and travels upward, you can feel pain in your entire chest and heart area. That is why it is called heart burn.

There are a number of things that you can do to reduce your risk of developing a hiatal hernia.

Lifestyle changes are probably the best way to combat the symptoms of hiatal hernia.

• You can eliminate eating meals a few hours before going to bed.
• You can also eat smaller meals, which causes your stomach to produce lower quantities of stomach acid.
• The type of meals that you eat is also very important when it comes to relieving symptoms.
• Cut back on spicy and high fat foods.
• Reducing your alcohol consumption and cutting out smoking can lower the chances of having a hiatal hernia.
• You should also practice lifting objects with the proper technique and avoid lifting heavy objects in general.

If you think that you may be suffering from a hiatal hernia due to your persistent heartburn, you need to consult with a medical professional. To find out more about hiatal hernia symptoms and what you can do about them, visit www.refluxremedy.com today for more information.

They call it heart burn because acid indigestion causes pain in your chest right behind your heart.

Your heart is actually located in the center of your chest, right behind your sternum, it’s just that the upper part of your heart is turned a little to the left, even though we’ve been told it’s on the left side.

It’s not unusual for people experiencing chest pain from indigestion to panic, thinking it’s a heart attack.

When your stomach has difficulty digesting large amounts of food, it tends to stretch like a balloon forcing pressure on the large muscle surrounding it.

The chest pain from indigestion is sometimes from this larger muscle, called the diaphragm being forced outward. The chest pain can also be from your stomach being pushed upward toward the opening in the diaphragm where your throat is.

Sometimes the pushing is so strong the stomach literally escapes the surrounding diaphragm, near that opening causing a hiatal hernia . . .

Another cause of chest pain from indigestion is acid reflux, which is when the flap that seal the bottom of your throat, to protect stomach acid from passing upward, get’s over come with pressure.

This produces that burning pain you can feel right behind the heart in the middle of your chest, called heart burn.

All this indigestion and chest pain is from your inability to release pressure and digest food fast enough to empty your stomach.

You can either eat less over all or break your meals down into smaller meals throughout the day, or both.

Some people have chest pain from lack of digestive juices causing undigested food to pile up; others just eat too much through the day, or at the last minute before bed.

Your chest pain may not be a heart attack, but indigestion that triggers chest pain has been known to trigger heart attacks . . .

Also eating a large meal before exerting yourself can cause chest pain too.

So learn to relax, breathe deeply, eat small meals of diverse foods and try to go for a casual walk after eating. Chest pain is a serious issue whether it’s indigestion, poor circulation or a heart attack . . . always see your doctor if it recurs or won’t go away.

You were born to heal,

Todd M. Faass

Health Advocate