How to Treat Heartburn at Home

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A burning sensation in the neck and upper stomach area, sometimes accompanied by a sour taste in the mouth, is known as heartburn. It is caused by stomach acid rising into the esophagus and is more common after a large meal or while lying down. Heartburn affects over a quarter of the world’s population.

The most common symptom of GERD is heartburn. Heartburn is a sign of GERD, but it can also occur without the presence of GERD.

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Heartburn’s Causes

The esophagus is the tube via which food passes on its way to the stomach. The sphincter that connects the esophagus and the stomach is generally closed, preventing food and stomach contents from entering the esophagus. It opens to allow food and saliva to pass through, then closes again.

Stomach contents can enter the esophagus if the sphincter is weaker or loosened. This is referred to as reflux. Stomach acids can irritate the lining of the esophagus, causing heartburn. If the fluids aren’t taken away, the irritation will get worse, leading to swelling, pain, and other problems.

The hormone progesterone, which is secreted during pregnancy, causes the sphincter to relax, resulting in reflux and heartburn. Most people get heartburn after they eat, and lying down or bending over can make it worse.

Heartburn Home Treatments

The key to controlling heartburn symptoms is to prevent them. When heartburn strikes, though, use these home remedies to relieve acid reflux quickly.

Avoid Consuming Trigger Foods

Acid reflux is caused by eating particular trigger foods. Avoiding certain foods will help to lessen or avoid heartburn by lowering the amount of acid in your stomach.

Allow your stomach and esophagus to heal by avoiding trigger foods for two weeks. Keep a meal diary and write down your symptoms to help you determine the foods that cause acid reflux.

Avoid using alcoholic beverages, caffeine, carbonated beverages, chocolate, citrus, and citrus-based meals. They are all known to cause acid reflux. Peppermint, spicy foods, Tomato and tomato-based foods, Coffee, garlic, and onions, High-fat, fried, and greasy foods, Peppermint, spicy foods

Chew Gum

When it comes to heartburn, you’ll almost certainly attempt anything to alleviate it. It turns out that chewing gum can aid with acid reflux. Here’s how it’s done.

By increasing swallowing, chewing gum helps remove acid from the esophagus faster. In one study, chewing sugar-free gum for half an hour after a meal was found to minimize acid reflux.

Furthermore, chewing gum promotes saliva production, which can help neutralize stomach acid and make reflux gentler on the esophagus. Use gum that doesn’t have mint or citrus in it to keep reflux symptoms from getting worse.

Avoid consuming alcohol

Alcohol consumption can produce an increase in acid production, as well as heartburn and other acid reflux symptoms. Even though more research needs to be done to figure out the exact link between drinking alcohol and reflux, it is clear that alcohol can damage the esophagus, which isn’t good for people who already have frequent heartburn.

Alcohol, like trigger foods, has various effects on different people. Keep a food diary of the drinks you consume, as well as any heartburn symptoms you experience. This will help you keep track of what you’re eating and figure out which beverages you should avoid.

Mixing alcohol with trigger beverages should be avoided. Orange juice and carbonated beverages, for example, are known to aggravate acid reflux and heartburn symptoms. Replace acidic drinks with less acidic alternatives like carrot juice, apple juice, or water.

Alcohol should be avoided at least 2 hours before bedtime. After consuming alcohol, lying down may exacerbate acid reflux and heartburn symptoms.

Raise the Bed

The worst part is waking up in the middle of the night with heartburn. Stomach juices might travel up into the esophagus if you lie flat on your back. Consider using a wedge pillow or a stack of books under the mattress to raise the head of the bed. This will help keep gastric acid where it belongs: in the stomach.

It’s also a good idea to finish your day’s food at least 3 hours before bedtime. The less food in your stomach, the less likely you are to experience heartburn in the morning.

Over-the-counter medicines such as antacids, H2 blockers (like famotidine), and proton pump inhibitors (like omeprazole) are your next best alternatives if home treatments aren’t working. If you don’t know what to do next, a healthcare provider can help you make a plan.

When Should You See a Doctor?

A burning sensation in your chest is very similar to heart attack symptoms and should not be dismissed. If over-the-counter medications and at-home therapies aren’t alleviating your chest pain, it’s time to see a doctor.

According to Dr. Cronley, if you have trouble swallowing, accidental weight loss, or blood vomiting, you should consult a doctor. Heartburn symptoms usually appear after eating or when lying down.

Other signs and symptoms include:

• A burning sensation spreads from the chest to the mouth.
• Fullness in the throat or a lump in the throat
• Regurgitation of acid, occasionally with food
• The mouth has a sour taste, especially when lying down.
• Coughing or a hushed voice
• Burping, nausea, and vomiting

If your chest pain persists or changes from its regular pattern, seek medical help right away. Do not ignore or hope that the pain will go away; it could be an indication of a heart attack. Quick action can save your life.

Heartburn Signs and Symptoms

Typical heart attack symptoms include:

• Symptoms appear suddenly; pain might be minor or severe, and it can come and go.
• Chest pressure, squeezing, fullness, or burning
• Pain or a burning sensation in the chest that may spread to the arms.
• Symptoms include shortness of breath, nausea, and vomiting.
• Unusual exhaustion (sometimes for days)
• Back, shoulder, and jaw discomfort.
• Sudden dizziness or lightheadedness
• I’m getting a cold sweat.

While home treatments may temporarily cure heartburn, they are only band-aids. If home remedies and over-the-counter medicines don’t help your heartburn, it’s time to see a doctor.

Also, keep in mind that heartburn symptoms are similar to those of a heart attack. If you have chest discomfort or other symptoms of a heart attack, seek medical help right away. Quick action could save your life.

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