WebMD.com
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Heartburn is very common -- and very unpleasant. It's triggered when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus. It can make you feel as though someone has lit a small bonfire in your chest, and it's burning its way up to your neck.
You're probably well aware that medications can help calm the burn, but natural heartburn remedies and lifestyle changes may be another way to get relief. One commonly used "natural" heartburn remedy is calcium. It's also the active ingredient in many over-the-counter antacids. If you find yourself popping antacids like candy and you're having heartburn more than a couple of times a week, or if you are using antacids for longer than two weeks, it's time to see the doctor. You may have a condition called GERD -- gastroesophageal reflux disease. Frequent heartburn can lead to long-term problems. It can cause inflammation and strictures in your esophagus. In rare cases, it may even lead to cancer. But stopping the acid reflux can help prevent complications in the future. |
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Here is a rundown of some other commonly used home remedies for heartburn, and the evidence for their effectiveness.
Do Herbal Heartburn Remedies Work?There isn't much research into herbal remedies for heartburn. Most of the research has centered on a product called Iberogast. It is made with 9 different herbs, including:
Do Herbal Heartburn Remedies Work?There isn't much research into herbal remedies for heartburn. Most of the research has centered on a product called Iberogast. It is made with 9 different herbs, including:
- Angelica
- Caraway
- Clown's mustard plant
- German chamomile
- Greater celandine
- Lemon balm
- Licorice
- Milk thistle
- Peppermint
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Some studies have shown that Iberogast may reduce heartburn, stomach pain, cramping, and nausea. It's not clear, however, which herb in the mix relieves symptoms. Plus, peppermint oil can actually worsen heartburn, so it's not a good idea to take it if you have GERD.
Are There Any Other Natural Treatments for Heartburn?Melatonin, a supplement used to aid sleep, has been suggested to help relieve heartburn. But the research is conflicting as to whether it is effective for this or any other gastrointestinal symptoms. Before you decide to take any herbal remedy or supplement, check with your doctor. Some supplements can have side effects or can interact with medications you're already taking. |
Can Drinking Milk Help My Heartburn?
You may have heard that drinking a glass of milk can relieve heartburn. While it's true that milk can temporarily buffer stomach acid,nutrients in milk, particularly fat, will stimulate the stomach to produce more acid.
Even though milk might not be a great heartburn remedy, however, it's a rich source of bone-building calcium. Try fat-free skim milk and don't overdo it. Drink no more than 8 ounces of skim milk at a time -- as a snack in between meals. Overfilling the stomach may increase heartburn.
You may have heard that drinking a glass of milk can relieve heartburn. While it's true that milk can temporarily buffer stomach acid,nutrients in milk, particularly fat, will stimulate the stomach to produce more acid.
Even though milk might not be a great heartburn remedy, however, it's a rich source of bone-building calcium. Try fat-free skim milk and don't overdo it. Drink no more than 8 ounces of skim milk at a time -- as a snack in between meals. Overfilling the stomach may increase heartburn.
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Is Chewing Gum an Effective Way to Get Heartburn Relief? It may sound strange, but gum stimulates the production of saliva, which is an acid buffer. Plus, chewing gum makes you swallow more often, which pushes those nasty acids back out of your esophagus. When you pick a pack of gum, just make sure it's sugar-free so you also protect your teeth. Finding Heartburn Relief at Home A few simple strategies can help soothe the burn of heartburn: |
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- Watch what you eat. Avoid specific foods that trigger your heartburn, but also watch out for peppermint, caffeine, sodas,chocolate, citrus fruits and juices, tomatoes, onions, and high-fat foods. Eat more fiber to keep your digestive tract moving and healthy. Also, reduce your portion sizes. Try eating five or six small meals a day, rather than three big ones. Eating too much at once is a big heartburn trigger.
- Watch when you eat. Push away the plate at least two or three hours before bedtime so your stomach has a chance to empty before you lie down.
- Watch how you eat. Eat slowly, taking smaller bites.
- Lose weight. Excess abdominal fat can press against the stomach, forcing acids up into the esophagus. Follow a diet and exercise program to shed extra pounds.
- Keep a diary. Write down what you've eaten and when your heartburn symptoms occur so you can pinpoint which foods are your triggers and avoid them.
- Toss the cigarettes. Smoking can reduce the effectiveness of the muscle that keeps acids in the stomach. For this, and so many other health reasons, it's always the perfect time to quit.
- Loosen your belt. Ditch the skin-tight jeans. Tight clothes put added pressure on the abdomen.
- Tilt up. Put wood blocks under your bed to raise the head about 6 inches. Don't bother raising your pillows, though -- it's not effective for heartburn.
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Acid Reflux Disorder From the Internet articles What is Acid Reflux Disorder? Acid reflux disorder is a condition that arises from mucosal damage which is caused by the stomach acid going up from your stomach into your esophagus. Acid reflux also known as GERD is normally caused by the changes in the barriers between the esophagus and the stomach, including; an abnormal relaxation of lower esophageal sphincter, (which holds your stomach’s top closed), hiatal hernia or impaired expulsion of the gastric reflux from your esophagus. These changes might be temporary or permanent. |
What Causes Acid Reflux Disorder?
Acid reflux disorder basically occurs when the acid content in the stomach goes up into your esophagus; into your gullet, which prime purpose is moving food down to the stomach from the mouth. Your stomach has a strong acid; the hydrochloric acid, which is used to help with efficient digestion of foods, and also protects against any undesirable microbes like bacteria. The lining of your stomach is adapted to produce the acid and also to help in protecting the digestive organ (the stomach) against its’ own corrosive secretions, but the higher part of your gut isn’t protected from the acid. A ring of muscles; the gastroesophageal sphincter, normally protects your esophagus from the acidic contents of your stomach by serving as a valve which lets foods into your stomach but never back up to the esophagus. When the valve fails to do this and the stomach contents get regurgitated back into your esophagus, symptoms of an acid reflex may be felt. One of the major symptoms is a heartburn.
Acid reflux disorder basically occurs when the acid content in the stomach goes up into your esophagus; into your gullet, which prime purpose is moving food down to the stomach from the mouth. Your stomach has a strong acid; the hydrochloric acid, which is used to help with efficient digestion of foods, and also protects against any undesirable microbes like bacteria. The lining of your stomach is adapted to produce the acid and also to help in protecting the digestive organ (the stomach) against its’ own corrosive secretions, but the higher part of your gut isn’t protected from the acid. A ring of muscles; the gastroesophageal sphincter, normally protects your esophagus from the acidic contents of your stomach by serving as a valve which lets foods into your stomach but never back up to the esophagus. When the valve fails to do this and the stomach contents get regurgitated back into your esophagus, symptoms of an acid reflex may be felt. One of the major symptoms is a heartburn.
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Who is More Prone to the Condition? People who have asthma are at a much higher risk of having acid reflux disorder. Asthma flare ups may cause your lower esophageal sphincters to relax, which in turn allows the stomach contents to reflux or flow back into your esophagus. Certain asthma medications (like theophylline) might even worsen the acid reflux symptoms. Moreover, acid reflux disorder can make the asthma symptoms worsen by irritating the lungs and airways. This may in turn lead to progressively a much more serious asthma. In addition, the irritation may trigger some allergic reactions and even make your airways much more sensitive to the environmental conditions like cold air and smoke. |
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Symptoms and Diagnosis
Symptoms
Everybody has experienced acid reflux disorder at some point. It happens when one burps, gets an acidic taste in the mouth or experiences a heartburn. Other symptoms which occur less frequently include but are not limited to:
-Acid regurgitation (that is retasting foods after eating)
-Pain or difficulty when swallowing
-Sudden excess of mouth saliva
-A chronic sore throat
-Hoarseness or laryngitis
-Inflammation of the mouth gums
-Cavities
-Bad breath
-Chest pains
Symptoms
Everybody has experienced acid reflux disorder at some point. It happens when one burps, gets an acidic taste in the mouth or experiences a heartburn. Other symptoms which occur less frequently include but are not limited to:
-Acid regurgitation (that is retasting foods after eating)
-Pain or difficulty when swallowing
-Sudden excess of mouth saliva
-A chronic sore throat
-Hoarseness or laryngitis
-Inflammation of the mouth gums
-Cavities
-Bad breath
-Chest pains
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Diagnosis
Some tests might be used in order to diagnose acid reflux disorder including but not limited to: -X-ray of your upper digestive system -Endoscopy (examining the inside of your esophagus) -Ambulatory acid pH tests to monitor the amounts of acid in your esophagus -Esophageal impedance tests to measure the movements of the substances in your esophagus Treatment and Management If you happen to have both acid reflux disorder and asthma, managing the acid reflux disorder will help in controlling your asthma symptoms. Studies show that those with acid reflux disorder and asthma experience a decrease in the asthma symptoms (and also asthma medication use), after treating the acid reflux disorder. |
Some lifestyle changes to help treat acid reflux disorder include:
-Elevating your bed’s head rest 6 to 8 inches
-Losing weight
-Quitting smoking
-Decreasing your alcohol intake
-Limiting the size of your meals and avoiding heavy evening meals
-Not lying down within 2 to 3 hours after eating
-Decreasing your caffeine intake
-Elevating your bed’s head rest 6 to 8 inches
-Losing weight
-Quitting smoking
-Decreasing your alcohol intake
-Limiting the size of your meals and avoiding heavy evening meals
-Not lying down within 2 to 3 hours after eating
-Decreasing your caffeine intake