Heartburn Treatment And Prevention Without Prescription Medicine

Heartburn is a problem that affects millions, and without prescription medicine it can prove difficult to control. What should you do to prevent heartburn without out all of the unwanted side effects common with prescription medication? There is the usual practice of taking an antacid tablet when you feel heartburn coming, but there are other steps you might take to avoid heartburn completely.

For many who are troubled by heartburn, there is no foolproof method to avoid it, even with expensive medications. However, by following some guidelines anyone can keep heartburn symptoms to a minimum.

Cut Out The Problem Foods

Heartburn, naturally, is the result of what we have eaten. There are some foods commonly associated with heartburn, so cutting back on them -- or avoiding them completely -- would be a great idea. Very spicy foods, or food with a high acid content, are the usual suspects. It can be hard to eliminate them from your diet completely as they are often the most satisfying, but you will be well-advised to try.

Pasta sauces, buffalo wings, the salsa found in Mexican food, sausages and citrus fruits should be consumed sparingly, or eliminated completely if you truly want to avoid heartburn.

It may sound like a daunting task, but you will still be able to eat your favorite foods without always having antacids by your side. For example, you can alter these classic dishes a little bit to limit their impact. If you enjoy pizza topped with pepperoni, try the meatless version with less sauce. A plain pizza can be delicious and leaving out the pepperoni will cut back on your heartburn.

Try those tacos "de pollo" without the spicy tomatillo salsa. Leave behind the buffalo wings for chicken wings with a milder sauce. Try turkey sausage instead of pork and have an apple instead of an orange. Any of these changes will dramatically lower your risk for heartburn.

As is always the case, water will be your friend. Drink lots of water with every meal. You might consider taking an antacid tablet beforehand if you know you're going to indulge in a problem food. Once the heartburn has set in, however, water will only exacerbate the problem. At that point it's preferable to take milk.

In the end, we are what we eat, so you will reduce heartburn by watching what you eat. It may take some effort to tackle heartburn, but if you truly want its effects reduced in your life, it will be worth it.