Learn how to get rid of heartburn
Natural remedies foracid refluxandheartburnmay be as close as your kitchen.
This article explores acid reflux home remedies.
A lot of natural remedies have been touted for heartburn or acid reflux relief.
Verywell / Emily Roberts
These remedies are generally not well-researched and should be used with caution.
Remember that even natural substances can cause negative side effects and drug interactions.
Does Mint Help or Hurt Heartburn?
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
They dissolve lower in the digestive tract, so they don’t affect the LES.
If you need something to settle acid reflux immediately, over-the-counter antacids can provide relief quickly.
They work by neutralizing the stomach acid and Liquid forms work faster than tablets.
What can I drink to stop acid reflux fast?
Water can help dilute stomach acid, so finding ways to increase fluid intake may help.
Avoid Your Trigger Foods
Often, certain foods are related to episodes of acid reflux.
Identifying and avoiding those foods can reduce your symptoms.
You might notice that certain foods or beverages bother you.
Other times, it may not be obvious.
A food and symptom diary can help you identify your trigger foods.
Aim for a Healthy Weight
Losing weight may help reduce your heartburn symptoms.
Some research has shown strong connections between being overweight or obese and GER/GERD.
Gaining weight increases your risk and losing weight appears to lower it.
Speak with your healthcare provider about a food and exercise plan to help you reach a healthy weight.
Some research suggests it can help you eat less and select healthier foods.
To get started:
The opposite of mindful eating is mindless or unconscious eating.
Eating Too Fast?
You may have heard that eating too fast can cause GER or GERD.
Making lifestyle changes can help reduce your frequency of heartburn and prevent future flare-ups.
Change Your Sleep Habits
Several nighttime habits can help ease symptoms of acid reflux and GERD.
These habits all have to do with the effect of gravity on your stomach contents.
Avoid Tight-Waisted Clothing
Clothing with snug waistlines or belts puts pressure on your stomach.
Common wisdom holds that this can lead to acid reflux.
If you canstop smoking/vaping, it may help relieve your GER and GERD symptoms.
A nicotine addition is difficult to break, so talk to your healthcare provider about effective ways to quit.
Quit Drinking
Many people rely on alcohol for stress relief and socializing.
However, drinking alcohol can damage the lower esophageal sphincter and contribute to GERD symptoms.
Avoiding alcohol is highly recommended and has been shown to reduce symptoms greatly.
Sometimes people who drink regularly or heavily find it difficult to stop.
It’s often treated with medication, but diet and lifestyle changes and natural remedies can also help.
Fortunately, a lot of treatments are available to relieve symptoms and prevent damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Acid reflux causes heartburn, a burning sensation in your chest.
Heartburn happens when the muscle that separates the esophagus and the stomach doesn’t close properly.
This allows stomach contents to escape.
Yes, certain medications can increase your reflux risk.
Some includebronchodilatorsfor asthma,blood pressure medications,progestin birth control pills, and sedatives like sleeping pills.
Heartburn symptoms like throat pain, chest pain, or nausea are also signs of aheart attack.
If heartburn is accompanied by shortness of breath, dizziness, or sweating, seek emergency medical care.
The protein and calcium in milk can help neutralize stomach acid and quickly relieve heartburn.
Choose low-fat or fat-free options, as fat can irritate GERD symptoms.
Spicy mustards can worsen heartburn, so stick with mild, yellow mustard.
Turmeric, a mustard ingredient, is anti-inflammatory.
However, the amount found in most mustards is pretty small.
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
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