One of the most common health conditions that can be described as more of a constant irritation is heartburn. It is so common that it affects around 60 million people every month. Heartburn occurs when the stomach acids that are supposed to break down the food enter the esophagus. This occurs when the esophagus (lower esophageal sphincter) that is responsible for carrying the food from the mouth to the stomach relaxes and allows the stomach acid to enter the esophagus. There are several foods that can cause the lower esophageal sphincter to relax and trigger the symptoms of heartburn.

Heartburn is one of the main symptoms of acid reflux and is described as a painful, burning sensation that occurs in the lower chest area. Heartburn can be triggered by the foods you eat or can be collateral damage inflicted by a chronic condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

As heartburn inflicts a lot of discomforts, you need to acquaint yourself with several useful tips that will help you deal with the situation immediately. Some of the quick and easy ways of dealing with heartburn are as follows:

Stand up straight
Heartburn occurs when the stomach acid makes its way into the esophagus. Of all the other things that trigger heartburn, your posture has a major role to play as well. If you are sitting down or lying down, it is advisable to stand up straight. When you stand straight, less pressure is exerted on the lower esophageal sphincter which is the ring of the muscle that stops the stomach acid from entering the esophagus. So, the instant you experience the onset of heartburn, stand upright and improve your posture.

Wear loose clothing
When the contents of the stomach rise up into the esophagus, the stomach acid can burn the tissue and this phenomenon is termed as heartburn. At times, the immediate treatment method to relieve heartburn is to wear loose clothing. When you experience an episode of heartburn, it might be due to the tight clothing that compresses your stomach. So, when you experience heartburn, loosen your belt, pants, dress, or whatever piece of garment that is compressing your stomach.

Baking soda and water
One of the best ways to relieve an episode of heartburn is to mix baking soda and water. This heartburn remedy works wonders as the baking soda can calm the episodes of heartburn by neutralizing the stomach acid right away. All you have to do is dissolve a teaspoon of baking soda in water and drink it slowly. Also, it is advisable to drink anything slowly if you have heartburn so that it doesn’t come rushing up the esophagus immediately.

Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has been used as a potent home remedy for treating a variety of health conditions. It is believed that apple cider vinegar can treat heartburn by neutralizing the stomach acid. So, to seek immediate relief from heartburn, you can drink diluted apple cider vinegar. Also, to prevent episodes of heartburn, you can try drinking this concoction after your meal.

Over-the-counter heartburn medication
If the heartburn is quite severe and none of the home remedies work, you can opt for over-the-counter medications like antacids, H2 blockers, and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). The PPIs and H2 blockers are known to reduce the acid that the stomach secretes and can prevent and reduce the symptoms of heartburn.