Heartburn occurs in the chest, particularly behind the breastbone, and is sometimes mistaken for heart pain for this reason. Heartburn is also known as heartburn, stomach acid, and acid reflux. If you suffer from heartburn, read on to learn how to treat this ailment.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Natural Remedies
Step 1. Eat foods that neutralize acids
These include easy-to-digest fruits, vegetables and carbohydrates. These foods have properties that help suppress stomach acid and the main ones are:
Rice, crackers, oatmeal, apples, guava, pears, almonds, ripe mangoes, papaya, kale and potatoes
Step 2. Add one and a half teaspoons of baking soda to a glass of water
Stir and drink. This solution can give you immediate relief from heartburn. Bicarbonate is able to neutralize acid, since it is a basic substance.
Step 3. Take ginger for relief
Crush 2-3 ginger roots and boil them for 5 minutes. Drink the water for quick relief. Ginger also contains alkaline substances that can neutralize stomach acid.
Step 4. Avoid eating foods that trigger acidity
Some foods cause heartburn more than others. The main culprits are coffee, chocolate and fatty foods such as those of fast food. Eliminate them from your diet as much as possible and absolutely avoid eating them just before bedtime.
Step 5. Eat slowly and don't overdo it
Eating slowly gives your body enough time to digest food. Also, if the stomach is filled with too much food it can empty in the wrong direction in a short time, namely the esophagus. Too much food also stimulates the stomach to produce more acid to digest it.
Step 6. Don't lie down or bend over after eating
Stay upright. This allows gravity to draw gastric contents down and prevent it from flowing back into the esophagus. Eat your last meal of the day at least 2-3 hours before bed, so that the food is already digested when you go to sleep.
Step 7. Consider keeping your head elevated when lying down in bed
Stack various pillows so that your head and upper body are raised above the rest. This helps you to keep the esophagus above the stomach, preventing the acid from flowing back.
Step 8. Chew sugar-free gum for at least 30 minutes after eating
This increases the production of saliva, which has anti-acid properties. When you suffer from heartburn, the body produces more saliva to fight any acid that tends to return to the esophagus. By chewing the gum, you help the body in this process.
Step 9. Lose weight
If you are overweight you increase your abdominal pressure significantly, especially when you lie down. By reducing weight, you reduce this pressure on the stomach, making it easier to relax when food enters. To lose weight, you need to start eating small, healthy meals and set up a workout routine. If you want more information on how to get fit, read this article.
Step 10. Eliminate unhealthy substances from your life
Among these are cigarette smoking and alcohol. Both of these elements cause heartburn because they weaken the force of the valve that keeps acid away from the esophagus. If you don't want to get heartburn, you need to quit smoking and start drinking less alcohol.
This doesn't mean that you need to stop drinking completely, but in moderation. However, you should quit smoking for many health reasons
Method 2 of 2: Medications
Step 1. Get some antacids
They are the most common medications recommended for heartburn. Since these are non-prescription drugs, they can be obtained easily. Antacids are labeled "reliever" medications, meaning you can take them whenever heartburn occurs.
The most common antacid drug is the one based on calcium carbonate. You can find it in pharmacies or parapharmacies under the name of Maalox. Chew 1-2 tablets when you suffer from heartburn
Step 2. Try H2 receptor antagonists
H2 blockers are other medications you can take for this problem. You find them in both prescription and non-prescription formats. They have the property of suppressing the production of acid in the stomach. You can take them in smaller dosages too, but if you need higher doses, you need to consult with your doctor.
You can generally take cimetidine, a common H2 antagonist, 800 mg twice a day or 400 mg 4 times a day
Step 3. Get some proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)
These are drugs that can reduce the amount of acid in the stomach. Again, they are available as both prescription and non-prescription. Omeprazole is an example of a proton pump inhibitor drug. Take 20 mg orally once a day, preferably before breakfast.
Advice
- Consider having surgery. If your heartburn is caused by gastroesophageal reflux, hiatal hernia, digestive cancer, or something else, your doctor may consider surgical options.
- Take your medications according to your doctor's instructions.
