Five Things For Relief From Chronic Heartburn

Heartburn is a common health condition in Australia, with almost one-third of the population suffering from this acid reflux condition. Though heartburn is not a serious medical condition, its effects may last for several hours. So, you may feel uneasy carrying out your daily chores because of the burning sensation and pain in your chest region.

Acid reflux or heartburn will not require any specialised treatment. You can simply book a live chat with a doctor and obtain medication for relief. But if you are facing this condition regularly, you may have to make some diet and lifestyle changes.

Heartburn - condition and its causes

Heartburn is not a medical condition itself, but it is a common symptom of a condition known as gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). The digestive acids secreted by the body move up the oesophagus, causing a burning sensation and pain in the lower chest region. Usually, the pain reduces in an hour but if the condition is severe, the pain may last for several hours.

A variety of different factors may cause heartburn. Some of the common causes are:

● Unhealthy diet

● Improper lifestyle and sleep cycle

● Excessive alcohol consumption or smoking

● Stress

● Reaction to medications

● Other conditions like hiatal hernia

● Pregnancy

As you can see, acid reflux and heartburn are caused by a wide range of common everyday factors. Therefore, most people are affected by this condition easily. However, if this is happening regularly, it's advisable to implement changes in your wider lifestyle as discussed below.

As mentioned earlier, an unhealthy diet can cause heartburn in adults. Being overweight and having digestive issues can also lead to heartburn. Therefore, improve your health and immune system to protect yourself from medical conditions like acid reflux. Regular exercise, weight training, walking, swimming, trekking etc., can help reduce excess body weight and improve the functioning of your digestive system.

For proper functioning of the digestive system it is key to maintain a good everyday sleep cycle. Improper sleep and increased stress levels can cause acid reflux in the body, even if you have good overall physical health. So, if you are facing acid reflux symptoms repeatedly, it can be because of a lack of sleep and an unhealthy lifestyle. To avoid these issues, develop a habit of sleeping at a set time every day and try to reduce stress. With these minor changes, you can reduce acid reflux issues and improve your overall health.

Harmful substances like alcohol and smoking can immensely impact your internal organs. It can cause digestion problems and acid reflux symptoms if you have been consuming alcohol or smoking cigarettes regularly for a long time. The best option is to quit smoking and reduce alcohol intake, this can not only reduce acid reflux issues but also save you from several life-threatening illnesses like cardiovascular disease and cancer.

Acid reflux can be caused by excessive production of digestive acids in the body, which can be due to certain foods being overly consumed. So if you are facing acid reflux issues regularly, avoid foods that are difficult to digest. Here are some common problematic groups:

These foods can cause excessive production of digestive acids in the stomach. By avoiding them you can reduce acidity and acid reflux symptoms. However, if the condition is severe, you may have to consult a doctor and take medications for relief.

Heartburn is not a major medical condition that requires consultation from a specialist. You can book an appointment with your GP and take medications for heartburn or other acid reflux symptoms.

If you are unable to visit a doctor physically, at Prime Medic we have the ideal solution for you. With our GP video consultations you no longer have to visit a doctor in person. Simply book an online appointment and consult with a GP from the comfort of your home. Just get in touch with us via our website to book in.

Heartburn can be a very uncomfortable condition, but if you make certain changes to your diet and lifestyle it can be managed effectively. For some people, however, this may not be enough and expert medical advice should be sought to check for other underlying issues. If your symptoms persist or are severe, contact us at Prime Medic to book a consultation with an online GP Australia. We have a team of fully qualified doctors ready to speak at times that are convenient to you. We are committed to making healthcare simple and straightforward for when you need it most.

Name: Dr. Muhammad Mohsin, General Practitioner

University Degree: MBBS, AMC

Bio: Dr. Muhammad Mohsin completed his studies from Univerisity of Health Sciences, Lahore Pakistan in 2008. He came to Australia in 2012 and has worked as a resident and GP in various hospitals and medical centres across Australia. He has a particular interest in men's health, travels medicine, chronic disease management, and general family medicine.