Heartburn Culprits and Remedies

Having constant heartburn is not a happy trip on the park, in fact, if you left it untreated – it will become more painful in the long run. Tracking the real cause of the heartburn and applying heartburn remedies for its treatment is very vital for healing. Common factors that cause heartburn to flare up include: the type of food intake, and various lifestyle factors. Paying attention to how your body reacts to different food and lifestyle factors would help you make the smart choices for your treatment.

It is important to know what triggers the heartburn problem so that health professionals can identify heartburn remedies for your treatment. Certain foods trigger heartburn after a meal which may either interfere with the esophageal sphincter or irritate the esophageal lining. Others may not experience this since it varies from one person to another.

Here are some common culprits of heartburn:

• Foods that have fatty acids. These are commonly foods that are high in oil, which causes the esophageal sphincter to relax – slowing down the stomach's process to empty itself.
• Caffeine. Drinks having high caffeine triggers heartburn, these include: coffee, soda, chocolate drinks and some energy drinks.
• High acidic foods. Spicy foods and foods with tomatoes, citrus fruits, onions, radishes, peppers, cabbage, broccoli and garlic can trigger heartburn.
• Smoking. It is one of the most common causes for heartburn. Smoking weakens the valve that opens between the stomach and the esophagus, this in turns, causes acid to flow back into the esophagus and may damage the esophagus lining.
• NSAID medications. Pills and drugs like ibuprofen may trigger heartburn. Some calcium channel blockers, bronchodilators and sedatives can trigger heartburn due to their mechanism.

One of the most commonly prescribed heartburn remedies include proton pump inhibitors class medications – this includes Omeprazole. Omeprazole DR medication acts by reducing the amount of acid in the stomach by inhibiting some enzymes that produces gastric acid. With its mechanism and functionality, Omeprazole has proven itself highly effective for the treatment of heartburn. In some cases of bacterial infection, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics to be taken with Omeprazole capsules or tablets.

However, heartburn remedies that include treatment via medication would deem useless if one does not change their lifestyle. If one continues to smoke and eat spicy acidic foods, then heartburn will always plague one's life. Change of lifestyle and medical treatment are the best ways to heal constant heartburn.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before using this drug.