Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 2: Treat Heartburn Naturally
• Method 2 of 2: Treat Heartburn with Medication
• Tips
• Warnings

The term "heartburn" refers to a discomfort or burning sensation in the chest area. Because of its position, some people mistake heartburn for heart pain. If you suffer from heartburn, read this article to learn how to deal with it.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Treat Heartburn Naturally

1. 1 Eat acid-neutralizing foods. These foods include fruits, vegetables, and easily digestible carbohydrates. For example:
   • Brown rice, crackers, oatmeal, apples, guavas, pears, almonds, ripe mangoes, papaya, cabbage, and potatoes.
2. 2 Add 1½ teaspoon of baking soda to a glass of water. Stir and drink the solution. You will instantly relieve heartburn. The bicarbonate in bicarbonate can neutralize the acid. Bicarbonate is a type of basic substance - substances that are opposite to acid.
3. 3 Use ginger. Crush 2 to 3 ginger roots, then cook for 5 minutes. Drink boiled water for quick heartburn relief. Ginger contains essential substances that can neutralize acidity in the stomach.
4. 4 Avoid foods that can cause heartburn. Some foods cause more heartburn than others. Some of the most common risk factors include coffee, chocolate, and fatty foods like instant meals. Eliminate these foods from your diet and especially avoid them before bed.
5. 5 Chew your food slowly and don't eat too much. When you eat slowly, you give your body ample time to digest your food. In addition to this, a stomach filled with a large amount of food in a short period of time can empty itself in the opposite direction, that is, into your esophagus. Too much food can also trigger the release of additional acid for food processing.
6. 6 Do not lie down or bend forward when you eat. Keep your torso upright. This will help gravity pull food down into the stomach and prevent food from returning back to the esophagus. Your last meal should be at least 2-3 hours before bed to give your body enough time to digest the food before you go to bed.
7. 7 Try tilting your head up when you're in bed. Place several pillows on top of each other so that your head and upper torso are raised above the rest of your body. This will help you keep your esophagus above your stomach, which will allow the acid to remain in your stomach and not overflow into the esophagus.
8. 8 Chew sugar-free gum for 30 minutes after each meal. Chewing gum increases the production of saliva, which contains anti-acid properties. When you feel heartburn, your body needs extra saliva to fight off the acid that's trapped in your esophagus. When you chew gum, you help your body produce more saliva.
9. 9 Lose weight. Being overweight puts additional pressure on your stomach, especially when you are lying down. Losing weight is hi to relieve this pressure by allowing your stomach to stretch sufficiently during meals. To lose weight, you will need to start eating small portions of healthy food and exercise. For more information on how to lose weight, click here.
10. 10 Get rid of unhealthy substances in your life. These substances include cigarette smoke and alcohol. Both of these things cause heartburn because they weaken the valve that prevents stomach acid from entering the esophagus. If you want to get rid of heartburn, you will need to quit smoking and drink less alcohol.
    • This does not mean that you need to stop drinking altogether - drinking alcohol in moderation is not dangerous. However, there are many reasons you should quit smoking.

Method 2 of 2: Treat Heartburn with Medication

1. 1 Take antacids. Antacids are the most common medicines for heartburn. You can easily purchase them at any pharmacy. Antacids must be taken every time you experience heartburn.
   • The most common antacid is calcium carbonate. You can find it in any pharmacy under different brands. Take 1-2 tablets with each heartburn attack.
2. 2 Try H2 blockers. H2 blocker is another heartburn medication. It is available with or without a doctor's prescription. This medicine suppresses the production of acid in the stomach. You can buy mild H2 blockers at the pharmacy, but if you need a higher dose, talk to your doctor.
   • Typically, you can take cimetidine, a common H2 blocker, twice a day at 800 mg or 4 times a day at 400 mg.
3. 3 Take proton pump inhibitors. Proton pump inhibitors can lower your stomach acid levels. Again, they are available with or without a doctor's prescription. Omeprazole is an example of this drug. Take 20 mg once daily, preferably before breakfast.

Tips

• Consider surgery. If your heartburn is caused by GERD, hiatal hernia, gastrointestinal cancer, or other medical conditions, your doctor may advise you to have surgery.
• Take your medications as directed by your doctor.

Warnings

• If you try to treat heartburn with home remedies and your symptoms persist, ask your doctor to prescribe stronger medications for you.