It’s love at first sight.
You use two hands to grab that sizzling *burger. Because let’s face it, you can’t pick this delicious monster up with one hand. You take that juicy first bite. (*replace “burger” with your own heartburn culprit).
Instantly, you regret it.
But, you still want more.
It’s the epitome of a love-hate relationship.
You finish the delicious burger and you’re just anticipating what will hit you later tonight. A few hours later the burning sensation in your chest starts.
You ask yourself, “Why did I eat that?? What did I just do to myself??”
This is not a rare phenomenon. I’m sure we can all relate to this scenario at least once in our lives, if not many times.
Occasional heartburn is pretty common, especially after a good burger or in pregnancy. But persistent acid reflux that happens more than twice a week is called GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) and should not be taken lightly. You should consult your doctor if you believe you may have GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). Long-lasting, untreated GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) can cause esophageal tissue damage, inflammation, and pain.
Heartburn is a symptom of acid reflux and feels like a burning pain or discomfort in the chest. Those with GERD may not even experience heartburn.
Other symptoms are the following:
Regurgitation of acid into the throat or mouth
Bitter taste in the mouth
Upset stomach
Burping
Nausea after eating
Fullness feeling
Stomach/upper abdomen bloating
Dry cough
Wheezing
Hoarseness
A feeling of tightness in the throat
Vomiting
Skip to the end for a reflexology map and instructions for an easy self-help technique!
Do you suffer from heartburn?
Read on to learn more about heartburn, its causes and effects, and a reflexology map to help your symptoms!
What can cause your heartburn?
Common causes of heartburn:
Certain foods: Acidic foods, high in fat foods, garlic, onions, chocolate, caffeinated drinks, spicy foods, alcohol, and mint.
Pregnancy: Hormones being released may slow down digestion, or relax the esophageal sphincter. Your growing baby may push onto your stomach and push the stomach acid up into the esophagus.
Obesity: Excess weight may cause pressure on the stomach and push the acid up into the esophagus.
Large meals and overeating
Eating late at night
Poor posture/slouching
Smoking. The nicotine will relax the LES (lower esophageal sphincter) and allow the stomach acid to enter the esophagus.
Medications:
Calcium channel blockers, which relax the lower esophageal sphincter
Antihistamines
Regular use of NSAIDS, like Aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen
Birth control pills due to the hormone progesterone relaxing the LES
Chemotherapy drugs can damage the esophageal lining and increase the risk of heartburn.
*Always consult your doctor before altering any medications.
Other causes of heartburn:
Magnesium deficiency
Gluten
Zinc deficiency
Helicobactor pylori
Heartburn is a symptom of acid reflux and feels like a burning pain or discomfort in the chest.
It may be simple, easy, and efficient to run to your nearest pharmacy and pick up some over-the-counter acid reducers.
What will I find at the pharmacy?
Antacids: Examples: TUMS. Antacids will neutralize the acid in your stomach. H2 blockers: Examples: Zantac (which was recently removed from the market), Pepcid, and Tagamet. H2 blockers will reduce stomach acid. Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs): Examples: Prilosec/Omeprazole, Prevacid, and Nexium. PPIs block the enzyme in the stomach wall that makes acid.
Before you take your next trip to the pharmacy to buy some more acid reducers, listen to this:
Acid reducers are not to be used for more than fourteen days.
PPIs are to be taken for a maximum of six to eight weeks.
If you find yourself taking TUMS more than two to three times a week, a trip to the doctor is crucial. You may feel relief from the antacid (TUMS), but you are not fixing the root of the problem.
If you feel chest pain (a common symptom of acid reflux), be sure to contact your doctor to rule out any heart disease or heart attack.
What are the long-term consequences of PPIs?
Self-medicating and taking PPIs long-term can have different long-term effects.
Long-term usage of PPIs can cause:
Problems with vitamin and mineral absorption (such as vitamin B12, which can lead to depression, anemia, fatigue, nerve damage, and dementia)
Leaky gut
Increase in food allergy
Osteoporosis (due to mal-absorption of calcium)
Pneumonia
IBS
Bacterial overgrowth
How can acid reducers cause more harm in some people?
Even though many assume that heartburn is caused by an overproduction of stomach acid, it may in fact be the exact opposite. Acid reducers reduce the amount of stomach acid. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) block the enzyme in the stomach wall that makes acid.
But the truth is, your stomach NEEDS acid.
Stomach acid is used to break down food, activate digestive enzymes in your small intestine, prevent an overgrowth of bad bacteria in the small intestine, and help absorb nutrients (eg. magnesium, vitamin B12, and calcium).
Heartburn does not happen when your stomach is filled with acid (in fact, it is supposed to be filled with acid). The pain happens when the stomach acid leaves the stomach and goes into your esophagus.
The occasional TUMS can help relieve your symptoms but the key is to find the cause. If you do not find the root cause then you may find yourself self-medicating or over-medicating with constant antacids.
If your stomach has a low amount of acid then heartburn medications and acid blockers will only cause more harm.
From a personal perspective, I used to suffer from constant heartburn and acid reflux. I used to take Nexium for... I don’t even know how long… That is how long! Every time I tried to stop taking Nexium, it seemed as if my heartburn was ten times worse than before. It was literal withdrawal symptoms. Eventually, I learned the long-term harmful side effects and decided I didn't want to take the medication anymore.
Always consult your doctor about any medication changes.
Gradually lowering the dose can be a better alternative to quitting cold turkey. It was painful for a time period but with some lifestyle changes and patience, I am happy to say I only suffer from the occasional heartburn that doesn’t last a long time!
If you have been taking PPIs for a long time and you wish to stop taking them, talk to your doctor about setting up a plan to gradually lower your dose to eventually cut them out and find the root cause. Consult your doctor to always rule out any other medical conditions.
What can I do to stop my heartburn?
After you have ruled out any underlying health conditions, lifestyle changes, along with many complementary therapies, can help reduce your symptoms.
A common cause of heartburn and acid reflux is certain foods. Avoiding certain foods like spicy and acidic foods, citric fruits, fried foods, alcohol, chocolate, caffeine, tomato-based foods, processed foods, and raw foods can help relieve symptoms.
Do not eat late at night/3 hours before bed and remain upright after the meal.
You should eat smaller, more frequent meals, instead of larger, less frequent meals.
Stop smoking.
Raise the head of your bed.
Consult with your doctor if you are concerned your medications are causing heartburn; you have a deficiency in magnesium or zinc; or if you have helicobacter pylori.
A quick tip: Apple cider vinegar helps support the acid in your stomach.
Along with changing your diet and some lifestyle habits, reflexology is a great (and relaxing) tool that can help relieve you from your symptoms!
Find a local reflexologist today and get rid of that burning sensation, once and for all!
How can you use reflexology to help relieve heartburn and acid reflux?
The organs to work on:
Esophagus
Stomach
Vagus nerve (see map below)
Solar Plexus
*Use the maps as a reference for the steps below
Step 1:
Begin on the plantar (bottom) side of the foot. Beginning between toes 1 and 2, massage in a downward motion on the esophagus reflex along the ball of the foot.
Step 2:
Stop right below the diaphragm line (below the ball of the foot). This is the opening of the stomach. Put static pressure and stay on this point for at least 30 seconds.
Step 3:
Massage the stomach reflex point in the direction towards the inside of the foot (medial side).
Step 4:
Massage the vagus nerve (see map to the right) in a circular, gentle motion for at least 30 seconds. This is located on the dorsal side of the foot, at the lateral corner of the base of toe 1. Your finger should press into this point at a slanted angle. This point may be tender.
Step 5:
Solar plexus hold and release technique.
The solar plexus is located below the diaphragm line, in line with zone/toes 2 and 3. Press into the point as you take a deep breath, hold for a few seconds, and then slowly release your pressure as you slowly exhale. To read more about the solar plexus, click here.
You can use this self-care reflexology technique on yourself, your spouse, your friends, or even your children and babies suffering from reflux! Thanks for reading!
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