HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR HEARTBURN

Heartburn is a burning pain in your chest, just behind your breastbone. The pain is often worse when lying down or bending over.

Occasional heartburn is common and no cause for alarm. Most people can manage the discomfort of heartburn on their own with lifestyle changes and over-the-counter medications.

Heartburn that is more frequent or interferes with your daily routine may be a symptom of a more serious condition that requires medical care.

Causes- Heartburn occurs when stomach acid backs up into the tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach (esophagus).

Normally when you swallow, a band of muscle around the bottom of your esophagus (lower esophageal sphincter) relaxes to allow food and liquid to flow down into your stomach. Then the muscle tightens again.

If the lower esophageal sphincter relaxes abnormally or weakens, stomach acid can flow back up into your esophagus (acid reflux) and cause heartburn. The acid backup may be worse when you're bent over or lying down.

Symptoms- Symptoms of heartburn include:

·         A burning pain in the chest that usually occurs after eating and may occur at night

·         Pain that worsens when lying down or bending over

Risk factors-- Certain foods and drinks can trigger heartburn in some people, including:

·         Spicy foods

·         Onions

·         Citrus products

·         Tomato products, such as ketchup

·         Fatty or fried foods

·         Peppermint

·         Chocolate

·         Alcohol, carbonated beverages, coffee or other caffeinated beverages

·         Large or fatty meals

Being overweight or pregnant also can increase your risk of experiencing heartburn.

Complications-Heartburn that occurs frequently and interferes with your routine is considered gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD treatment may require prescription medications and, occasionally, surgery or other procedures. GERD can seriously damage your esophagus.

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES

Heartburn can be very effectively treated by homoeopathic remedies. Some of the important remedies are given below.

ARSENIC ALBUM 30-Arsenic alb is one of the effective remedies for heart burn. Arsenic alb is prescribed when the patient complain of burning pain felt in the stomach with food backing up into the esophagus. This is accompanied by burning pains all the way up to the throat. There may be nausea and vomiting.  Vomoting occurs soon after eating or drinking. There may be severe , watery, burning diarrhea. In Arsenic alb. many of the symptoms are getting better while drinking hot drinks like tea, or by applying hot applications like a heating pad. Arsenic alb patient is thirsty, thirst for small quantities of water at frequent intervals. Mentally the patient is anxious , restless and fearful of being alone.

NUX VOMICA 30-Nux Vomica is one of the best remedies  for treating heartburn triggered by the intake of alcohol, coffee or spices.  Nux Vomica is  prescribed when there is burning in the mid upper abdomen and chest with acid risings. The mouth also fills with bitter and acid fluid along with burning. In some persons,there is a complaint of nausea and vomiting of sour material. Pressure and heaviness in abdomen may also present. There is long standing constipation may found in Nux vomica . Nux vomica is suited to overworked, high powered business man or woman who is very intense and lead a sedentary life.

PULSATILLA NIG. 30-Pulsatilla  is the best remedy for heartburn  when rich food like  fatty or fried food has excited heartburn. Along with heartburn,the person also experiences nausea and vomiting to a high degree. Vomiting contains acidic, bitter matter, at times greenish in colour. Belching acid or bitter taste are also found. There is  pain and tightness in stomach . Another prescribing symptom  is a total absence of thirst along with the other symptoms.The stomach and abdomen  feel empty with  gurgling and rumbling in the evening and pressing pains. The patient feels better in the fresh open air. Pulsatilla patient is gentle, whiny and tearful. They are afraid of being alone and desire sympathy .

ROBINIA 3X-- Robinia is prescribed for heartburn   when the burning symptoms get worse on lying down at night. Acrid burning, bitter or worse sour belching appear along with burning in the chest and stomach. The symptoms may even prevent the person from sleeping.Another prescribing symptom is   headache accompanies heartburn

NATRUM PHOS 6X-- Natrum Phos is effective  in all cases of heartburn where the patient experiences sour belching or sour vomiting along with burning in chest or mid upper abdomen. The tongue of Natrum phos patient is coated with  yellow pasty matter along with sour belching and vomiting.  Acidic symptoms due to intake of excess of sugar can also be best treated with Natrum Phos.

IRIS VERSICOLOR 30-  Iris Versicolor is prescribed when the patient experiences  burning throughout the gastrointestinal tract, right from the mouth to anus with sour vomiting.There is profuse flow of saliva. The appetite is poor. Sick headaches and cholera may occur along with heartburn.

PHOSPHORUS 30--Phosphorus is the effective remedy  remedy when cold drinks or cold water seems to provide temporary relief from burning in chest and abdomen.There may be     sour belching after eating. Vomiting also appears, but not immediately after drinking. Vomiting occurs a few hours after taking water when the water gets warm in abdomen. A desire for ice creams, juices and cold drinks is another useful prescribing  symptom of Phosphorus. Phosphorus person is mild mannered need company and affection.

CARBO VEGETABILIS 30-Carbo veg. is prescribed when the abdomen is bloated and there is bitter, sour , rancid burping along with nausea.It is worse after rich, high fat food. The patient wants fresh air  and wants the windows open and fans turned on. The patient is physically exhausted and mentally sluggish, when lie down the indigestion is worse. The patient tend to have cold hands and feet and varicose veins.