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It starts as a small burn that climbs up your chest, leaving you restless and uneasy all day. That fiery feeling has a name, heartburn.

According to the , more than 60 million Americans experience the feeling at least once a month, whereas around 15 million suffer from it daily. While you might find relief with the help of some over-the-counter antacids, some tricks and lifestyle changes can really help change the game for you.

Dr Joseph Salhab, a board-certified gastroenterologist with a following of 1.6M on Instagram recently shared a video suggesting three ways of relieving heartburn without medications. According to the expert, these tricks are especially effective if you have recently consumed a big meal and can feel the sensation developing.

What are these three ways and should you follow them? Find out below!

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Chewing gum
Whoever thought a doctor would suggest chewing gum as a cure for heartburn? But this trick is backed by science. "When you chew gum, it stimulates saliva production and that saliva goes into your oesophagus and forms a protective barrier against the stomach acid. The stomach starts clearing out food and excess acid as well, decreasing the risk of food and acid refluxing into the oesophagus and causing symptoms of heartburn," said the doc.

According to a 2005 study published in the , chewing sugar-free gum induces elevated swallowing frequency, thus improving the clearance rate of reflux in the oesophagus. Participants of the study chewed gum for half an hour after a meal and noticed reduced acidic postprandial oesophageal reflux.

Diaphragmatic breathing
Doing belly breathing right after you eat is another way of quickly dissolving a developing heartburn. "This is when you want to breathe in really deep through your nose and see your belly expand more than your chest," advised the doc. He shared that this exercise makes the use of a muscle called the diaphragm to close the barrier between the oesophagus and the stomach, preventing excess acid from refluxing up into the oesophagus. You can try this three to five times.

This suggestion as well is a proven method. According to a 2012 study published in , patients with non-erosive GERD who trained the diaphragm by breathing exercises decreased the pH in the oesophagus.

Post-meal walk
Walking helps clear out the stomach and has been associated with a "decreased risk of acid reflux especially after meals," said the doc. A 2011 study published in , found that post-dinner walk and a less than three-hour dinner-bedtime interval were associated with fewer GERD symptoms.

Thus, trying these three quick ways to help reduce or prevent post-meal heartburn could help reduce the burning sensations and discomfort. However, for persistent and serious heartburn, consulting a professional is always advised.

Note: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new medication or treatment.

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