Introduction
Have you ever eaten certain food items and felt discomfort in your stomach after a short time? Stomach burning after eating is common and is a discomfort that many can relate to. It can make looking at your favorite food a gut-wrenching affair. Well, quite literally. There are certain healthy foods that you can add to your daily diet to make that stomach-burning sensation a thing of the past. In this article, we look at stomach-burning home remedies in detail and hopefully help you alleviate those tummy ailments to a certain extent.
Causes of Burning Sensation in Stomach
You may experience a burning sensation in the stomach for various reasons, such as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), stress, obesity, pregnancy, and other reasons. It happens when the acid in your esophagus takes a reverse motion and causes bile to come into your mouth.
A burning sensation in the stomach can occur due to several factors, including Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), stress, obesity, pregnancy, and more. This happens when stomach acid reverses into the esophagus, sometimes bringing bile up into the mouth. Common causes of stomach burning include acid reflux and lifestyle factors, and remedies for stomach burning can involve dietary changes, stress management, and medical treatment.
1. Indigestion
Stomach burning can be attributed to indigestion, a common condition in which the stomach struggles to process food properly. This discomfort occurs when the digestive juices and stomach acid become imbalanced, leading to stomach lining irritation and a burning sensation in stomach.
2. Functional Dyspepsia
Functional dyspepsia is a chronic disorder characterized by recurring upper abdominal discomfort. It is one of the reasons for stomach burning as it disrupts the normal digestive processes, often without an identifiable underlying cause, leading to persistent burning or pain in the upper abdomen.
3. GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)
GERD is a chronic condition where stomach acid frequently flows back into the esophagus, causing irritation and a burning sensation. This occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter weakens or relaxes inappropriately, allowing stomach acid to reflux into the esophagus.
4. IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)
Although primarily a condition affecting the bowels, IBS can lead to stomach discomfort and burning. A study revealed that approximately 79% of individuals with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) experience symptoms related to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), while around 71% of those with GERD report symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Suggested Read: Understanding Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
5. Peptic Ulcers
Stomach burning is a common symptom of peptic ulcers, open sores in the stomach's or small intestine's lining. These ulcers can be caused by factors like Helicobacter pylori infection or NSAID use, with stomach acid aggravating the ulcers and causing pain.
6. Stomach Infections
Infections in the stomach, such as those caused by bacteria or viruses, can lead to stomach burning as the body's immune response and inflammation can irritate the stomach lining. Other symptoms, like nausea and diarrhea, may also accompany this discomfort.
7. Medications
Certain medications, especially non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and some antibiotics, can cause stomach irritation and burning as a side effect. They can disrupt the stomach's protective lining and increase vulnerability to stomach acid.
Food That Are The Causes of Burning Stomach
Having discussed the foods, you should eat during stomach burning let us also look at certain foods and habits. If you have any food allergies or are suffering from GERD or chronic acidity, then you should avoid those foods that cause allergies and the ones mentioned below.
- Milk and dairy products
- Gluten foods
- Alcohol
- Fried foods
- Caffeine
- Chocolate
- Citrus fruits
Along with these foods, you should also avoid stressful situations and late-night food binges. On the contrary, try to maintain a healthy weight, eat smaller meals, and be on time, and if you smoke, then give up smoking. The foods we consume produce acid in our stomachs, which means that a regulated diet can prevent that burning sensation in your stomach and ensure you live a healthy life.
Signs and Symptoms of Burning Sensation in the Stomach
There are some telling signs of a burning stomach. Some of these are:
- Burning sensation in the stomach, chest, and throat
- Nausea and vomiting
- Burping
- Bloating
- Sore throat
- coughing or wheezing
- Hiccups
- Difficulty swallowing
How to reduce the burning sensation in the stomach at home?
Dealing with a burning sensation in the stomach can be uncomfortable, but there are several effective stomach burning home remedies you can try for relief. This issue is often caused by acid reflux, indigestion, or stress, leading to a painful burning feeling in the chest or throat. Fortunately, you don’t always need medication to ease the discomfort. Simple home remedies like drinking herbal teas, consuming foods that soothe the stomach, and practicing relaxation techniques can help reduce symptoms. In this article, we’ll explore some practical and natural ways to reduce stomach burning right from the comfort of your home.
1. Banana
How do you stop your stomach burning immediately? The easiest home remedy that you can try immediately is eating bananas. This fruit is almost always available at home. Consumption of bananas is one of the best remedies for acid reflux, as it can relieve that burning sensation in your stomach. This happens because bananas are rich in dietary fiber and antacids, preventing burning sensations in your belly and ensuring relief from acidity and gas.
2. Lemon Juice
Lemon juice, when taken with a glass of hot water on an empty stomach, is known to soothe the symptoms of acid reflux after a bout of overeating. It reduces heartburn and abdominal pain, too.
3. Ginger
It has anti-inflammatory properties. So, if you are dealing with nausea or acid reflux, ginger can help calm your stomach. You can brew a soothing cup of ginger tea without milk to help you get relief.
It has anti-inflammatory properties, making ginger an effective stomach burning home remedy. If you're dealing with nausea, acid reflux, or a burning sensation in the stomach, ginger can help calm your digestive system. Its natural compounds, such as gingerol, work to reduce inflammation and neutralize stomach acid. You can brew a soothing cup of ginger tea without milk for stomach burning relief. Consuming ginger not only alleviates discomfort but also promotes better digestion, providing long-lasting relief from symptoms associated with acid reflux and indigestion. This simple home remedy can ease stomach burning naturally.
Suggested Read: Is Ginger Good for You?
4. Apple Cider Vinegar
A glass of ACV is a stomach-burning home remedy that works like magic. If you suffer from gas, acidity, or a burning stomach, try having three teaspoons of apple cider vinegar with lukewarm water. This is known to help with acid reflux-related heartburn and stomach issues. Remember, undiluted ACV can aggravate the problem as it can hurt the lining of your GI tract. Therefore, make sure you dilute it.
Suggested Read: 6 Amazing Health Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar
5. Aloe vera gel
Eating aloe vera gel before foods supposedly help relieve stomach burning symptoms and heartburn. This remedy is highly effective due to the presence of anthraquinones in aloe vera that have laxative effects on your gut. Aloe vera also increases the water content in your stomach and intestines, facilitating hydration and ensuring a more natural movement of stools. If you ever feel a burning sensation in your stomach and are wondering how to stop stomach burning at night, aloe vera juice is your trusted solution. It will impart a cooling effect while reducing the burning sensation.
Suggested Read: Aloe Vera and Its Many Uses
6. Basil
Basil leaves contain certain therapeutic properties that may help relieve gas, acidity, and nausea. You can wash the leaves and chew on them or dry them up to make a powder and mix a teaspoon with water.
Basil leaves have powerful therapeutic properties that can act as a stomach burning home remedy, providing relief from gas, acidity, and indigestion. To use for stomach burning relief, you can wash a few fresh basil leaves and chew on them directly to soothe your digestive system. Alternatively, dry the leaves, grind them into a powder, and mix a teaspoon with water to ease discomfort. Basil’s anti-inflammatory and soothing qualities help calm the stomach lining and reduce the burning sensation, making it an effective natural remedy.
7. Green tea
Green tea can be taken with honey in a cup of hot water to keep those stomach-burning sensations at bay. Green tea is rich in antioxidants and, thereby, good for your body. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that soothe the symptoms of acid reflux, making it a great stomach-burning home remedy.
Suggested Read: Here's Why You Should Switch to Green Tea!
8. Yoghurt
Yogurt helps soothe any discomfort in and around your stomach lining. A natural probiotic, yogurt ensures enough good gut bacteria to keep your stomach immunity up and running. It also contains a lot of proteins that improve your ability to digest food.
9. Mint Leaves
Mint leaves are naturally cooling and can aid digestive problems. Consider having a cup of mint tea or water boiled with mint leaves if you are dealing with acidity or acid reflux.
Mint leaves can be highly effective in relieving a burning sensation in the stomach, often caused by acidity or indigestion. The cooling properties of mint soothe the lining of the stomach, helping to neutralize excess acid that contributes to the discomfort. Additionally, mint improves the flow of bile, aiding digestion and reducing the symptoms of acid reflux. Common causes of a burning stomach include poor dietary habits, stress, or overconsumption of spicy and acidic foods. Drinking mint tea or boiled mint water acts as a natural home remedy to provide relief and improve digestive health.
10. Jaggery
Not many know, but jaggery can also help the digestive process and relieve acid reflux. If you are having a heavy meal, consider eating a small piece of jaggery afterward to cool down your stomach.
Not many know, but jaggery can also help relieve the burning sensation in the stomach and acid reflux. It promotes digestion by stimulating digestive enzymes and neutralizing excess acid. A small piece of jaggery after a heavy meal can help cool the stomach, preventing the burning sensation often caused by overeating, spicy foods, or stress—common causes of burning stomach. Jaggery's cooling effect offers a natural remedy for soothing discomfort and maintaining digestive balance.
11. Probiotics
Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that help maintain a healthy balance in your gut microbiome. They can be particularly useful in addressing burning stomach sensations resulting from gut imbalances. Probiotic-rich foods like yogurt, kefir, or Prebiotic supplements can help regulate digestion and reduce stomach discomfort by promoting the growth of good bacteria.
12. Chewing GumA stomach burning remedy that many people don’t know about is- chewing gum. Chewing sugar-free gum can be a simple and effective way to alleviate stomach discomfort, especially related to acid reflux. Chewing gum stimulates saliva production, which can help neutralize stomach acid and wash it back into the stomach, reducing the burning in the stomach.
13. PeppermintPeppermint has muscle-relaxing properties that can alleviate stomach discomfort, including burning sensations. Peppermint can help relax the digestive tract's muscles and reduce spasms, making it a beneficial natural remedy for stomach issues.
14. Baking SodaBaking soda acts as an antacid when mixed with water. It helps neutralize excessive stomach acid, relieving heartburn and the associated burning sensation. However, it should be used sparingly, as excessive use can lead to imbalances in stomach acid and electrolytes. Consult a healthcare professional before using baking soda for prolonged relief.
Lifestyle Changes That Help with Stomach Burning
Instead of wondering how to cure stomach burning repeatedly, a better choice would be to prevent it from happening. Stomach burning, often associated with conditions like acid reflux or indigestion, can be prevented easily by implementing certain lifestyle changes. These adjustments can help alleviate discomfort and promote better digestive health. Here are some effective lifestyle changes to consider:
1. Avoid Trigger Foods:
Specific foods or beverages can often trigger stomach burning. Identifying and avoiding these trigger foods, which may include spicy, greasy, or acidic items, can significantly reduce discomfort. Keeping a food diary can help you pinpoint which foods exacerbate your symptoms and make it easier to make necessary dietary adjustments.
2. Lose Weight:
Excess weight, especially around the abdominal area, can pressure the stomach and increase the risk of acid reflux, leading to a burning sensation. Maintaining a healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise can alleviate this pressure and reduce the likelihood of stomach discomfort.
3. Avoid Eating Late at Night:
Late-night meals can be a recipe for stomach burning and acid reflux. To prevent this, avoid eating large or heavy meals close to bedtime. Give your body ample time to digest the food before lying down to sleep, which can help reduce the likelihood of stomach discomfort.
4. Elevate the Bed:
Elevating the head of your bed by about 6 to 8 inches can help prevent stomach acid from flowing back into the esophagus during the night. This slight incline can reduce nighttime heartburn and burning sensations, ensuring a more comfortable night's sleep.
5. Avoid Alcohol and Tobacco:
Both alcohol and tobacco can irritate the stomach lining and exacerbate stomach burning. Reducing or eliminating alcohol and tobacco consumption can significantly improve your digestive health and reduce the risk of discomfort.
6. Reduce Stress:
High-stress levels can contribute to stomach discomfort, as stress can increase stomach acid production. Incorporating stress-reduction techniques such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises into your daily routine can help manage stress and alleviate stomach burning.
7. Reduce Alcohol Intake:
Excessive alcohol consumption can be a major contributor to stomach burning and digestive issues. Limiting your alcohol intake or avoiding it altogether can help alleviate symptoms.
When should you see a doctor?
You should consider consulting a doctor for a burning sensation in the stomach when the symptoms persist, become severe, or fail to improve with our stomach burning remedies. Frequent and regular recurrences of stomach burning, particularly several times a week, may indicate a chronic condition like GERD or peptic ulcers.
Seek immediate medical attention if stomach burning is accompanied by concerning symptoms such as unexplained weight loss, difficulty swallowing, persistent nausea, blood in the stool or vomit, or changes in bowel habits. Individuals with a history of digestive disorders should also consult a healthcare provider.
Additionally, if you suspect medication side effects, discuss your symptoms with your doctor to explore alternatives or adjustments. A prompt medical evaluation can help identify and address underlying issues effectively.
Conclusion
In addition to the above recommendations, you can try Wellbeing Nutrition's Probiotic + Prebiotic for a healthier, happier gut. With 36 billion (CFU) active live cultures per serving, your digestive health will get all the boost it needs. Furthermore, it will help neutralize toxins, improve metabolism, and prevent other gut-related issues.
FAQs
What can I eat for a burning stomach?
When experiencing a burning stomach, opt for bland, easily digestible foods like rice, oatmeal, bananas, or plain toast. Avoid spicy, greasy, or acidic foods.
Can I use curd as a stomach burning home remedy?
Yes, curd (yogurt) can help soothe stomach burning as it contains probiotics that aid digestion and reduce acidity.
Should I drink milk if my stomach is burning?
While milk can offer temporary relief, it's not always the best solution, as it can sometimes exacerbate acid reflux. Opt for antacids or consult a doctor for a more suitable remedy.
Does stomach burning happen only to adults, or does it happen to kids as well?
Stomach burning can affect both adults and children, but the causes and treatment may differ. Consult a pediatrician for children with persistent symptoms.
Why is my stomach burning at night?
Stomach burning at night can result from lying down after eating. Elevating your upper body while sleeping and avoiding late-night meals can help alleviate this issue.
Is burning stomach serious?
The seriousness of stomach burning depends on the underlying cause. While it's often due to common issues like acid reflux, persistent or severe symptoms may warrant medical evaluation.
What is the most common cause of a burning stomach?
Acid reflux (GERD) is the most common cause of a burning stomach. Other common causes include indigestion, citrus fruits, and ulcers. If symptoms persist, consult a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis.
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- Aloe Vera, National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, (https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/aloe-vera)
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