How to Get Rid of Heartburn?

In this article, we have listed best natural remedies to get rid of heartburn. Heartburn or it can also be called as Acid Indigestion is a burning pain in the central chest. The pain can increase and can affect the neck, throat or jaw. The pain increases when lying down or while bending. It happened when our stomach acid goes back into the tube that carries the food to the stomach. Usually, when any food or drink enters our stomach, a band of muscle known as the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) closes the esophagus. But when this muscle does not close tightly enough to keep the acids in the stomach, the acids goes back to the esophagus, which leads to irritation in esophagus and results in Heartburn. If the Heartburn is occurring too soon, then you may have Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

GERD is a condition of damage caused by the stomach acids coming from the stomach into the esophagus. Heartburn is more likely to happen when the top part of the stomach pokes the chest cavity. This weakens the lower esophageal sphincter, which makes it easier for the acid to go back into the esophagus from the stomach. Heartburn should be treated as soon as possible because reflex can cause damage to the lining of the esophagus. There are certain foods which can lead to Heartburn. Avoiding those foods which can lead to reflux is a nice idea to stop heartburn, such as:

Best Ways to Get Rid of Heartburn

Heartburn is something that most adults will suffer in their lifetime. While there are many prescribed medicines are available for Heartburn in the market. But if the heartburn is occasional, home remedies can help in curing that Heartburn.

1. Baking Soda to Get Rid of Heartburn

Baking soda can help your reflex and can help you get rid of heartburn as it has a pH value of 7.0 which neutralizes the stomach. Take a spoon of baking soda and mix it the glass of water. Stir the whole mixture properly and drink the whole. You can repeat this process as you need, but the quantity of baking soda should not exceed seven teaspoons per day.  Avoid using this remedy for more than a week as it can result in swelling or nausea.

2. Aloe Vera Juice to Get Rid of Heartburn

Aloe Vera is a plant that is used to heal burns so people usually use its juice to heal their sunburns, but it can do much more than that. The Aloe Vera juice can cure Heartburn too, as it can heal inflammation. This means that whenever you feel something burning in your stomach, you should have some Aloe Vera juice. Drink a ½ cup of Aloe Vera juice before meals. Aloe Vera juice can act as a laxative so make sure to use buy that juice which has the laxative compound removed.

3. Chewing Gum to Get Rid of Heartburn

A study showed that those who showed symptoms of Heartburn experienced relief when they chewed a gum for almost 30 minutes. This is because chewing gum helps in increasing the flow of saliva. Any acid that has built up, gets washed away. Just after the meal, take a chewing gum and chew for 30 minutes to get relief from Heartburn.

4. Getting More Acid to Get Rid of Heartburn

In most cases, heartburn in caused by lack of acid in the stomach, rather than having too much. Drinking some pure and unfiltered apple cider vinegar might help in getting some relief.Take one teaspoon of Apple cider vinegar, mix with water and drink the whole. It is preferred to do this after every meal, but you can do this before bed or 2-3 times a day. Rather than helping, if this worsens your condition then it is suggested to stop this process and find another one.

5. Ginger Root Tea to Get Relief From Heartburn

Sipping a cup of ginger root tea before 20 minutes of a meal can help in making the stomach relax. Take a 3-4 quarter sized slices of ginger root and simmer in 2 cups of water, covered, for 30 minutes. You can remove the ginger pieces or you can keep them. Pour it into a glass and drink the whole 20 minutes before the meal which will help you to get rid of heartburn.

6. Chin Up While Sleeping to Cure Heartburn

Heartburn tends to increase at night because we are lying down while sleeping. And it is easier for the food in our stomach to travel back to our esophagus, along with acids. So it is advised to elevate your head for about 6 inches when you sleep.  Don’t put extra pillows under your head as they can slip at night while sleeping.  Never lie down for at least 3 hours after eating as lying down with a full stomach makes stomach contents harder against your lower esophageal sphincter.

7. Banana or Apple to Get Relief From Heartburn

It is one of the simplest home remedies available to get rid of heartburn. Bananas have natural antacids that act as a natural medicine for heartburn. Just eat one banana every day and heartburn will be gone in no time. Another option is to eat apples to cure heartburn. Eat an apple few hours before sleep to get relief from heartburn.

8. Wear Loose Clothes to Get Rid of Heartburn

Heartburn will surely increase if you wear tight clothes. Wearing tight clothes will make your waistband sink into your abdomen region. The same goes with tight belts or even tight shirts. This is because tight clothes put extra pressure on our lower esophageal sphincter, which will make stomach contents go back to esophagus resulting in heartburn.

9. Quit Smoking and Drinking to Cure Heartburn

Smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol can increase the chances of getting heartburn. The nicotine and alcohol weaken your lower esophageal sphincter, which makes it much easier for stomach contents and acids to go back to the esophagus. Quitting cigarettes and alcohol will not only help you get rid of heartburn, but it will also help you to improve your overall health.

10. Almonds to Treat Heartburn

This is very simple and effective remedy to get rid of heartburn. Almonds neutralize the juices present in your stomach and will give relief from heartburn. Eat 3-4 almonds directly after you eat your meal, or snacks or anything. Getting organic almonds will be icing on the cake. But keep in mind that some people can suffer heartburn after consuming too much of almonds.

11. Chamomile Tea to Get Rid of Heartburn

A cup of chamomile tea will help you balance out acidity levels and can also reduce inflammation inside the stomach if it is taken 1 hour before going to bed. It also works In relieving stress, which can turn into acid reflux. Take few chamomile flower petals and simmer them in boiling water for about a minute.  Now stop the flame and let the petals  soak for another couple of minutes before pouring them. Now add some honey or lemon if you want and drink the whole tea. Make sure to drink fresh tea 1 hour before going to bed.

12. Lemon to Get Relief From Heartburn

Lemon contains citric acid and has a pH value of 2, which makes it an acid stronger than vinegar. It also contains lots of nutrients and vitamin C, which makes it a tough competitor against heartburn. Take a lemon and squeeze out all the juice from it in a glass. Try to drink at as it is or you can add some water to it so that it can be consumed easily . If you are trying to get rid to heartburn, then this remedy will surely help you.

When to Contact a Medical Professional?

Heartburn is not a big problem if it is occasional but if this problem is occurring too soon then the medical advice is needed. If you see any of these symptoms, then you should contact a doctor:

You have a heartburn very often which does not go away for weeks.

• Black or maroon stools.
• You vomit material which is bloody.
• You lose weight without dieting.
• Trouble swallowing food.
• Your symptoms get worse with the use of antacids.

You may be asked to undergo some test to check your condition. Those tests are:

• Esophageal Motility: To check the pressure of your Lower Esophageal Sphincter.
• Esophagogastroduodenoscopy: To check the inner lining of the esophagus and stomach.
• Upper Gastrointestinal Series is a set series of radiographs which are used to examine gastrointestinal tract for abnormalities.