Natural Remedies for Heartburn

 

Heartburn is caused by acid reflux, which is the regurgitation of partially digested liquids or foods that have mixed with stomach acid. You might also have these silent symptoms of acid reflux. This acidic mix makes its way into your esophagus and throat where it causes irritation. Anything that increases pressure on your abdomen can push the contents of your stomach up into the esophagus, including eating too much, obesity, and pregnancy. Occasional heartburn is nothing to worry about, but frequent heartburn can lead to chronic digestive disorders. How can you find relief?

Chew gum

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Chewing gum increases your production of saliva, an alkaline that helps neutralize the acids in regurgitated foods that cause a burning sensation.

Drink a glass of water

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In a Greek study, water worked faster than several ulcer medications to raise the pH level in your gut and relieve heartburn symptoms.

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Change your body position

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Stand up straight instead of slouching after meals to help food and acid stay in your stomach and out of your esophagus. Try sleeping on your side instead of your stomach, and elevate your head and upper body when you lie down. This simple fixes can greatly reduce heartburn and acid reflux symptoms.

Practice deep breathing exercises

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Deep breathing exercises can reduce the amount of air swallowed and strengthen the muscles surrounding the lower esophageal sphincter, relieving some acid reflux symptoms. And the breathing exercises are unbelievably simple: just breathe in deeply, breathe out slowly. An Austrian study showed that breath-training exercises helped GERD sufferers, a chronic digestive disorder caused by acid reflux, "significantly" within 4 weeks. At a 9-month check-in, the participants who were still using the breathing exercises reported continued improvements in their acid reflux symptoms.

Avoid foods that can cause heartburn

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Common culprits include coffee, chocolate, soda, alcohol, meat, dairy, spicy foods, fried foods, and acidic foods. Instead, try to consume stomach-soothing foods, like these best foods for your belly.

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Eat protein-rich meals and avoid fatty meals

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Meals packed with protein have been shown to increase the lower esophageal sphincter's pressure, making it stronger against acid reflux. Fatty foods, however, decrease pressure on the LES, making acid reflux and heartburn more likely.

Lose weight and eat smaller meals

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Obesity puts pressure on the abdomen, resulting in stomach contents being forced up the esophagus. Large, heavy meals also increases pressure on the abdomen and lead to acid reflux. Eating smaller meals and dropping a few pounds will help to alleviate heartburn symptoms.

Quit smoking

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Tobacco contains chemicals that damage your lower esophageal sphincter, the set of muscles responsible for keeping stomach contents out of your esophagus. When this band of muscles becomes too weak, regurgitated food and stomach acid can easily make their way into your esophagus. These tips will help you quit smoking naturally.

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Sip a baking soda concoction

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Baking soda is alkaline, which means it neutralizes stomach acid. Mix ½ teaspoon baking soda and a few drops of lemon juice in ½ cup warm water. Don’t forget to add the lemon juice! It dispels some of the gas baking soda creates in the stomach when it contacts stomach acid. Here are more brilliant uses for baking soda.

Find some fennel

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A popular heartburn remedy around the world, fennel seeds contain at least 16 compounds that sooth stomach spasms. Put 3 teaspoons of the seeds in a coffee grinder and place in a heat resistant bowl or saucepan. Add 3 cups of boiling water, cover and steep for 10 minutes, then strain. That makes 3 cups of tea; drink in 1 cup portions throughout the day, preferably on an empty stomach.

Calm the burn with chamomile

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In Germany, where they take herbal medicine very seriously, chamomile is popular heartburn treatment. It contains some 20 compounds that ease spasms, plus other compounds that have a gentle sedative effect. Use one tea bag per cup of boiling water, cover and steep for 10 minutes. Remove the tea bag and drink. Shoot for having 3 cups a day on an empty stomach, and continue for two or three weeks. Then take a break for a week or two.

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Mix the sour with the sweet

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Honey and vinegar is an old Amish remedy for easing heartburn. Mix a teaspoon of honey with a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of warm water. Drink 30 minutes before you eat, and you just might avoid heartburn. Here are more health benefits of apple cider vinegar.

Toss in some herbs

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Many herbs are known to ease your digestion. Among them: mint, dill, caraway, horse-radish, bay, fennel, tarragon, marjoram, cumin, cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom. No matter what you’re cooking up, chances are there’s an herb that complements it. Use one or more liberally, especially if you’re cooking something that you know might give you heartburn.

  Heartburn is a medical condition in which the contents of the stomach move backward and upward into the food pipe. Heartburn is also known as gastrointestinal reflux.
The diaphragm and a muscle called the lower esophageal sphincter usually prevent heartburn. However, this muscle can sometimes relax and leave the food pipe unprotected from stomach acid.
Heartburn is experienced when stomach acid comes into contact with the lining of the food pipe. This can cause the following symptoms:

• A feeling of burning behind the breastbone, neck, and throat
• Taste changes
• Coughing
• Voice hoarseness that is made worse by eating, leaning forward, and lying down

The discomforts of heartburn can last for several hours and may progress into a condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD. GERD can cause frequent heartburn, food sticking, damage to the food pipe, blood loss, and loss of weight.

Contents of this article:

1. 10 simple remedies for heartburn relief
2. When to call or see a doctor about heartburn
3. Complications of heartburn

10 simple remedies for heartburn relief

There are some things that people can do to prevent and treat the symptoms of heartburn. Not all remedies work or are safe for everyone, however. It is important for people to speak with their doctor about the best remedy for them.
Simple remedies for heartburn relief include:

Heartburn may progress into a condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD.

1. Quitting smoking and avoiding secondhand smoke
2. Wearing loose fitting clothing to avoid unnecessary pressure on the stomach
3. Considering prescription medications: People with heartburn should also speak with their doctor to see if the use of prescription medications is right for them.
4. Losing weight: People who are in need of losing weight or are obese may want to consider a diet and exercise weight loss program. Each person reacts to these changes differently, however. It is important to speak with a healthcare provider about losing weight.
5. Raising the head of the bed: There are many ways to raise the head of the bed to allow gravity to reduce the symptoms of heartburn. Placing blocks under the top bedposts, raising the bed by around 6-8 inches may work. Foam wedges can also be placed between the mattress and box spring to raise the angle of the head of the bed. Pillows are not effective in reducing heartburn symptoms.
6. Trying over-the-counter medications: People with heartburn should speak with their doctor about over-the-counter medications to relieve their symptoms. They may be recommended to try antacids, acid reducers like famotidine or ranitidine, or acid blockers such as lansoprazole and omeprazole.
7. Using herbal preparations: The use of certain herbal preparations may also be useful. The Mayo Clinic report that licorice, slippery elm, chamomile, or marshmallow could help in treating the symptoms of GERD. It is important for people to speak with their doctor about potential side effects and drug interactions before starting any herbal supplements.
8. Trying acupuncture: Although there is limited evidence to support its use, acupuncture may be beneficial in relieving the symptoms of heartburn in some people.
9. Relaxing: Stress and tension can wreak havoc on the body. Relaxation techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation could provide the body with calming relief to some symptoms.
10. Making some simple diet changes: There are certain dietary triggers that can affect the presence and severity of heartburn. People should try avoiding spicy or greasy foods, chocolate, caffeinated drinks like coffee, tomato products, garlic, peppermint, alcohol, and fizzy drinks.

People should sit upright for 3 or more hours after a meal to reduce heartburn symptoms. People should also eat smaller meals and avoid meals in the 2-3 hours before sleep.

When to call or see a doctor about heartburn

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases recommend calling a doctor immediately if someone has any of the following symptoms:

• Large amounts of vomiting or vomiting that is forceful
• Green, yellow, or bloody vomit, or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
• Difficulty breathing after vomiting
• Mouth or throat pain with eating
• Pain or difficulty swallowing

Complications of heartburn

Factors that increase the risk of developing GERD include:

Both smoking and passive smoking increase the risk of developing GERD.

• Pregnancy
• Hiatal hernia
• Smoking and passive smoking
• Obesity
• Certain medical conditions including dry mouth, asthma, delayed stomach emptying, and scleroderma
• Some medications including those for treating asthma, allergies, pain, high blood pressure, depression, and insomnia
• Consuming irritants such as alcohol, caffeine, fizzy drinks, chocolate, and acidic foods and juices

Complications of heartburn may include ulcers, bleeding, and GERD. Changes to the cells in the food pipe may also occur. This can lead to a condition called Barrett's esophagus and a higher risk of cancer of the food pipe.
The food pipe can also narrow, causing a condition called esophageal stricture. Other complications include food pipe inflammation and breathing problems. Breathing problems include asthma, fluid in the lungs, coughing, sore throat, hoarseness, pneumonia, and wheezing.

Written by Lori Smith BSN MSN CRNP