Heartburn Treatment in Honolulu, HI
After eating certain foods, you may start experiencing a burning and irritating sensation in your chest. This pain is usually known as heartburn and can feel very debilitating if you don’t know how to treat it. Heartburn can usually be treated through lifestyle changes and over-the-counter medications, but it’s important to work with your doctor to develop a treatment plan that can help you prevent heartburn before it ever sets in.
Dealing with Heartburn
Heartburn can be caused by various factors, most commonly including:
- Spicy foods
- Citrus foods
- Tomato-based products
- Fried foods
- Peppermint
- Alcohol
- Coffee
- Onions
- Chocolate
You may also experience heartburn more often if you are overweight. It’s important that if you experience heartburn more than twice a week, you see your doctor as soon as possible because it might be a sign of something more serious.
Normally, you can treat heartburn with at-home methods. Antacids can help neutralize your stomach acid and can provide quick relief. Your doctor may also recommend a proton pump inhibitor to reduce your stomach acid.
You can also make some lifestyle changes like avoiding the above triggers and maintaining a healthy weight. Exercising regularly and drinking plenty of water can also help reduce some of the issues you may have with heartburn. You should also avoid laying down after a meal and elevate your head as you sleep. If you smoke or drink regularly, you should quit as soon as possible.
In severe cases, lifestyle changes may not be enough and your doctor might recommend surgery to help stop inflammation from occurring.