Understanding Heartburn, Acid Reflux, and GERD
Heartburn, acid reflux, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are related but not identical conditions.
- Heartburn – A burning sensation behind your breastbone, sometimes with a bitter taste, often after heavy, fatty, or spicy meals. Despite its name, it’s unrelated to the heart.
- Acid reflux – Occurs when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus. Symptoms can last minutes to hours and often worsen after eating or lying down.
- GERD – A chronic form of acid reflux, occurring more than twice weekly, causing chest pain, difficulty swallowing, regurgitation, or vomiting.
The culprit is often a weakened lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the muscle that normally closes after food passes into the stomach. If it fails, acid can leak upward, triggering repeated bouts of heartburn.
Stress and Your Digestive System
Your gut is often called your “second brain” because it is connected to your brain through millions of nerves. When you’re under stress, this communication can be disrupted, making digestive issues like heartburn worse. Stress increases your sensitivity to stomach acid, and the discomfort from heartburn can in turn add to your stress, creating a vicious cycle. Lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol, obesity, and poor diet can further compound the problem, putting even more strain on your digestive health.
Natural Approaches to Relieve Heartburn
Over-the-counter and prescription medicines can relieve symptoms, but may cause side effects like headaches, constipation, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. Certain lifestyle changes and natural methods can help reduce discomfort without relying solely on medication:
- Eat smaller, more frequent meals
- Avoid lying down immediately after eating
- Limit trigger foods such as spicy, fatty, and acidic meals
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Reduce stress through exercise, meditation, or relaxation techniques
- Elevate your head slightly while sleeping to prevent acid backflow
Breaking the Burn Cycle
By identifying your triggers and adopting healthier habits, you can take control of your digestive comfort and keep heartburn from disrupting your daily life. Ease the discomforts with VitaHealth Charge-Up Gustocalm for rapid relief of heartburn and long-term healing of the stomach lining.
Formulated with a synergistic combination of Gastro-AD® and GutGard®, this refreshing chewable tablet is natural, safe for long-term use, and free from side effects. Gastro-AD® is a non-GMO soy peptide fermented by Lactobacillus delbrueckii R-187, while GutGard® is a flavonoid-rich extract from deglycyrrhized licorice root. Together, these clinically validated ingredients work synergistically to:
- Relieve heartburn in 15 minutes
- Heal stomach lining over the long-term
- Reduce H. pylori loads from damaging the stomach lining
Directions:
Adults – Chew 2 tablets, 30 minutes before meals or right after meals. Take 1-4 times daily depending on severity.
