| For many, heartburn is an annoying and painful | | | | swigging antacids. However their problem is more |
| condition that occurs after eating too much or | | | | likely to be stomach ulcers. While stress can |
| scoffing the wrong types of food. For others it is a | | | | aggravate heartburn, it is not usually the direct cause. |
| regular misery that may lead to the development of | | | | The problem is that stress plays havoc with our |
| serious health complications. Being such a common | | | | lifestyles. It deprives us of the time and mood to |
| complication, misconceptions abound about it. Before | | | | exercise and relax and to eat regular, nutritious meals. |
| looking for natural remedies for heartburn, take a | | | | If affects our sleep and leaves us less time to take |
| look at a few of the most common myths. | | | | care of ourselves. It makes us smoke and drink |
| The first common misconception is that heartburn is | | | | more. These are all factors that can spark off a |
| caused by too much stomach acid. Stomach acid is | | | | heartburn attack. |
| secreted by the proton pump in the stomach lining. | | | | However the most serious misconception about |
| Its purpose is to render the right acidity for stomach | | | | heartburn is that it is a trivial complaint. Two million |
| enzymes to do their work. As acid is the agent that | | | | Americans go to the doctor with heartburn every |
| causes heartburn, it's natural to think that the | | | | day so it's natural to think of it as something like the |
| problem is due to excess. | | | | common cold -an annoyance that will go away on its |
| In fact, stomach acid levels in heartburn sufferers are | | | | own. |
| often normal or even below normal. It's the reflux of | | | | But chronic heartburn can have a profound impact on |
| the acid into the gullet that causes heartburn and this | | | | your life. If untreated, serious complications can result |
| is a problem with the lower esophageal sphincter. The | | | | such as erosive esophagitis or even cancer. If you |
| problem can have many causes. It can be caused by | | | | suffer from severe or persistent attacks of |
| eating such substances as chocolate, or through | | | | heartburn you must visit your doctor. |
| excess pressure in the stomach via carbonated drinks | | | | Understanding your health condition clearly is the first |
| for instance. | | | | step towards dealing with it. Once you know the |
| Another myth about heartburn is that stress is a | | | | cause, you can choose the natural remedy for |
| major cause. This arises from the stereotype of | | | | heartburn that will work best for you. |
| stressed-out executives hunched over in pain and | | | | |