Heartburn, Acid Reflux: Instructions on How to "Put Out the Fire" Right at Home

One of the issues that drives many people to seek clinic treatment is the condition. heartburn and acid regurgitationThe burning sensation spreads from the stomach to the chest, even the throat, accompanied by a sour or bitter taste in the mouth after eating or when lying down... If you are experiencing this, don't worry too much. This article will help you understand this "troublemaker," how to soothe it at home, and most importantly, when to see a doctor.

1. Heartburn, Acid Reflux: "The Acid Storm" in Your Body

Imagine the stomach like acid bottle a closed lock. Between the stomach and the esophagus there is one-way street (gọi là LES: cơ thắt thực quản dưới). Bình thường, chiếc van này chỉ mở ra khi bạn nuốt thức ăn xuống và đóng chặt lại ngay sau đó, ngăn không cho axit dạ dày trào ngược lên. Khi van này có vấn đề như đóng không kín hoặc mở ra không đúng lúc, … axit dạ dày sẽ trào ngược lên thực quản – như nước tràn khi bình nghiêng. Thực quản không có lớp bảo vệ nên bị “bỏng rát”, gây ra:

• 🔥 Heartburn: Burning pain from the abdomen to the chest, which may appear after eating or when lying down or bending over.
• 🍋 Sour belch: Sour/bitter taste in the mouth, especially when lying down.

2. "The Culprit" That Makes You Have Acid Reflux and Sour Burps

Some types of food and beverages can trigger heartburn and acid reflux in some people, including:

🌶️ Spicy food, onions

🍊 Oranges, tomatoes

🍫 Chocolate, mint

☕ Alcohol/coffee/soda

🍟 Big meal, lots of grease

⚖️ Overweight

🤰 Pregnant

😫 Prolonged stress

3. When to See a Doctor

Occasional heartburn and acid reflux are common issues and usually not a cause for concern. However, if you experience frequent heartburn or it starts to affect your daily activities, it could be a sign of a more serious condition that requires medical attention.

Heartburn accompanied by chest pain can be a sign of a heart attack. Seek medical assistance immediately if you experience severe chest pain or a feeling of tightness in your chest, especially if accompanied by pain in the arm or jaw, or shortness of breath.

You should make an appointment with the doctor if:

• Heartburn occurs more often than twice a week.
• The symptoms continue despite using over-the-counter medication.
• You have difficulty swallowing.
• You are feeling nauseous or vomiting continuously.
• You are losing weight due to a lack of appetite or difficulty eating.

Seeing a doctor early in these cases is very important to get an accurate diagnosis (may require gastroscopy) and timely treatment.

4. Home Remedies for Heartburn: Effectively 'Putting Out the Fire' Without Medication 

📌 Thay đổi thói quen

– Raise your head when sleeping: Raise the pillow 10–15 cm or use a wedge pillow to prevent acid reflux at night. 

– Lose weight if you are overweight: Regular exercise helps with weight loss and sweating. About 30 minutes to 2 hours a day. Exercise at least 5 days a week.

– Quit smoking

– Avoid bending down after eating: Limit exercising or doing heavy work right after a meal.

– Avoid anxiety and stress, avoid staying up late: Practice yoga, meditation, and deep breathing to reduce stress that exacerbates symptoms.

📌 Chiến lược ăn uống

– Limit some foods: spicy food, sour food, hot food, stimulants (tea, coffee, alcohol,…), carbonated drinks, chocolate, mint, garlic,… 

– Eat in moderation: Do not eat too full, do not let yourself get too hungry.

– Eat on time: Do not eat too late, avoid lying down immediately after eating. The last meal of the day should end at least 3 hours before going to sleep.

– Eat slowly and chew thoroughly: Reduce digestive pressure and avoid swallowing air.

5. Advice from experts

Heartburn and acid reflux are common issues, but don't dismiss them as an 'inevitable part' of life. Understanding the causes and applying simple lifestyle changes can help you completely control mild symptoms occasionally.

In cases of more severe acid reflux, heartburn can cause serious damage to the esophagus such as esophagitis, esophageal stricture, or lead to precancerous changes of the esophagus like Barrett's esophagus. 

Listen to your body. Don't hesitate to seek professional help when necessary. 

Reference document

1. MedlinePlus. Heartburn. National Library of Medicine. Updated May 3, 2023. Accessed June 15, 2024. https://medlineplus.gov/heartburn.html

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