Daily Fit Tip: Fending off heartburn

Until my third trimester of pregnancy, I'd never experienced heartburn, a condition created by stomach acid in the esophagus. In fact, until I fell prey to it and began researching the issue, I formerly believed heartburn was merely the result of eating too much fried food, not a condition affecting as much as 60% of the population at some point, for unlucky individuals as often as once a week.

For some, the answer is simple: it really was those few extra onion rings that pushed them over the edge. They pop a few Tums if they're handy and call it a night. The symptoms disappear, at least until the next round of onion rings. For others, heartburn can be consistently problematic to the point where simple over-the-counter remedies will no longer do and medical treatment is required.

I've only recently experienced the discomfort of heartburn. Being pregnant, I can't take any old thing to alleviate its symptoms. Tums and other chewable antacids generally help, but not always. I'd also prefer a more natural approach to treating heartburn.

My OBGYN suggested chewing gum, which creates more saliva in the mouth. Saliva, it turns out, is nature's heartburn combatant. I've tried chewing gum on several occasions, and while it might not look pretty I did experience relief--if only temporarily--from the heartburn. My OBGYN also recommended eating smaller meals more frequently throughout the day rather than the normal three square, helpful advice to use even if you're not pregnant.

Personally, I've noticed the more water I drink, the less likely I am to experience heartburn symptoms. Although the jury remains out on whether 64 ounces (eight 8-ounce glasses) is the appropriate amount of water to consume per day, the more water I drink the less likely I am to experience heartburn symptoms.

Another way to avoid heartburn is to keep off excess pounds. According to a recent study, gaining even a few pounds can lead to an increase in heartburn symptoms. Luckily, by losing those pounds, research indicates that heartburn symptoms tend to subside.

The most important thing to remember before treating heartburn is to be clear on what the symptoms are. Symptoms of heartburn can be confused with those of a heart attack. More on these symptoms and when to seek medical assistance can be found here. As always, if you experience consistent heartburn or aren't sure if the symptoms you're experiencing are heartburn, consult your doctor immediately.