several ways to help with frequent heartburn

Recently, I have been getting some symptoms of what I think is acid reflux. Now, I have never had this before, until I had my 3rd child.  I had it off and on throughout that pregnancy. I thought it would go away afterwards, but it only got worse. The foods you eat affect the amount of acid your stomach produces. Eating the right kinds of food is key to controlling frequent heartburn.

Heartburn is a common symptom of acid reflux and GERD. You may develop a burning sensation in your stomach or chest after eating a full meal or certain foods.  This is totally not fun when it happens.  It sometimes even happens in the middle of the night.

I wanted to share a few ways to help with heartburn. Since it is mostly related to the foods we eat, here are some foods to eat to help with heartburn.

• Vegetables – Vegetables are naturally low in fat and sugar and help reduce stomach acid. Good options include green beans, broccoli, asparagus, cauliflower, leafy greens, potatoes, and cucumbers.
• Ginger – Ginger has natural anti-inflammatory properties, and it’s a natural treatment for heartburn and other gastrointestinal problems. You can add grated or sliced ginger root to recipes or smoothies or drink ginger tea to ease symptoms.
• Oatmeal – Oatmeal is a breakfast favorite, a whole grain, and an excellent source of fiber. Oatmeal can absorb acid in the stomach and reduce symptoms of reflux. Other fiber options include whole-grain breads and whole-grain rice.
• Non-citrus fruits – Non-citrus fruits, including melons, bananas, apples, and pears, are less likely to trigger reflux symptoms than acidic fruits.
• Healthy fats – Sources of healthy fats include avocados, walnuts, flax seed, olive oil, sesame oil, and sunflower oil. Reduce your intake of saturated fats and trans fats and replace them with these healthier unsaturated fats.

Now, we all know that we like to stick to fixing the source of the problem, which is food. Sometimes, that doesn’t always help. I can typically take care of mine by avoiding certain foods but there are those select few times that it just does not help and I need some extra assistance. Lately, I have been taking Nexium 24HR to help control the frequent heartburn. Nexium 24HR is long acting so you only have to take it once a day.  Which is pretty fantastic. After completing the 2 week course, I have not had any heartburn and was able to eat some of the foods that cause it.  I would call that a win!

This time of year, I just love citrus fruits. I love to make smoothies and and my husband loves to cook.  So being able to eat just about anything is great! I am glad to be able to eat foods I love and not have to worry about the after effects. Nexium 24HR has certainly helped me be free from heartburn.

What do you do when you are having heartburn? Do you have any other tips or tricks to help?