These are for treating GERD, not occasional heartburn, and include two types of medications that supress acid production. Histamine-2 receptor antagonists H 2 RAs work by blocking the effect of histamine, which stimulates certain cells in the stomach to produce acid, and include cimetidine Tagamet® , ranitidine Zantac® , famotidine Pepcid® , and nizatidine Axid®.

Proton pump inhibitors PPIs work by blocking an enzyme necessary for acid secretion and include omeprazole Losec® lansoprazole Prevacid® , pantoprazole sodium Pantoloc® , esomeprazole Nexium® , rabeprazole Pariet® , pantoprazole magnesium Tecta® , and dual delayed release dexlansoprazole Dexilant®.

Most of those who have experienced heartburn are familiar with OTC medicines. They offer quick relief for occasional heartburn, and are available at any drug store or grocery chain.

These can also be helpful for those who have GERD, for those times when they notice that their ongoing treatment is temporarily not enough. Medications such as Maalox®, Tums®, and Pepto-Bismol® neutralize acid, and another product, Gaviscon®, neutralizes stomach acid and forms a barrier to block acid rising into the esophagus.

Most of the medications used to treat heartburn, both prescription and OTC, have gone through rigorous testing and studies to establish safe and effective use, but what about natural remedies? Sodium bicarbonate baking soda : baking soda is alkaline, and is generally safe to consume, which makes it a good candidate for neutralizing acidity.

It makes sense that people reach for this common household item to treat heartburn. While some evidence does show that it is safe for occasional use, overdoing it can lead to a medical state known as alkalosis which can cause cardiovascular disturbances and is potentially dangerous.

Use in moderation. Acids : this is an odd remedy, and typically involves consuming either apple cider vinegar or lemon juice to quell heartburn. The logic behind it is that not all heartburn is caused by an increase in acid, which would make the treatments that neutralize acid pointless.

Therefore, consuming acids helps to restore the normal acidity level in your stomach and aids digestion.

Physicians generally do not recommend this method. This theory might stem from the fact that some individuals experience heartburn or GERD as a result of delayed gastric emptying.

Milk : using milk to ease heartburn seems like a good idea intuitively. Milk is alkaline, and it can feel soothing to drink. And while it is true that initially milk can ease your discomfort, the fat and protein it contains can lead to worse heartburn once digestion begins.

Lower fat milk might be easier to tolerate during bouts of heartburn. Try a calcium-based OTC treatment such as Tums® or Maalox® , which have the benefits of the calcium in milk without the drawbacks. Chewing gum : chewing any type of gum could be a simple way to ease mild heartburn. Our saliva is slightly alkaline due to the presence of various enzymes.

Chewing gum stimulates the production of saliva, which can help reduce reflux when you swallow. In addition, the very act of swallowing might help to push stomach contents back into the stomach.

People with acid reflux were once instructed to eliminate all but the blandest foods from their diets. But that's no longer the case. We've evolved from the days when you couldn't eat anything. If you eat any of these foods regularly, you might try eliminating them to see if doing so controls your reflux, and then try adding them back one by one.

They make you burp, which sends acid into the esophagus. Drink flat water instead of sparkling water. When you're standing, or even sitting, gravity alone helps keeps acid in the stomach, where it belongs. Finish eating three hours before you go to bed.

This means no naps right after lunch, and no late suppers or midnight snacks. Avoid vigorous exercise for a couple of hours after eating. An after-dinner stroll is fine, but a more strenuous workout, especially if it involves bending over, can send acid into your esophagus.

Ideally, your head should be six to eight inches higher than your feet. You can achieve this by using extra-tall bed risers on the legs supporting the head of your bed.

If your sleeping partner objects to this change, try using a foam wedge support for your upper body. Don't try to create a wedge by stacking pillows.

They won't provide the uniform support you need. Increased weight spreads the muscular structure that supports the lower esophageal sphincter, decreasing the pressure that holds the sphincter closed. This leads to reflux and heartburn.

Some — including postmenopausal estrogen, tricyclic antidepressants, and anti-inflammatory painkillers — can relax the sphincter, while others — particularly bisphosphonates like alendronate Fosamax , ibandronate Boniva , or risedronate Actonel , which are taken to increase bone density — can irritate the esophagus.

As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.

Heartburn can be difficult to cope with but many people manage it quite well. However, other people spend countless hours and untold sums of money looking for a way to spell relief. This Harvard Medical School Guide: Cooling Heartburn , explains the causes of heartburn, and what you can do to prevent and treat it.

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May 22, If you are sounding a little hoarse and have a sore throat, you may be bracing for a cold or a bout of the flu.

In addition to their symptoms, they can note the foods that they have eaten and any changes to their behaviors or habits. This approach can help a person identify any acid reflux triggers, which they can then avoid where possible to prevent acid reflux from recurring.

If someone is unable to identify and eliminate factors that cause or worsen acid reflux or if they have concerns about their symptoms, they should contact a doctor. They may have GERD or another health condition.

A doctor can diagnose the issue and help them devise a treatment plan. Acid reflux, which health experts term GER, occurs when acid flows from the stomach up into the esophagus.

Certain diets can trigger acid reflux, and it is also more likely to affect pregnant people, those with asthma , and people who carry excess body weight. If acid reflux occurs frequently, a person may have GERD, which can cause complications in the long term.

Anyone who is concerned about their symptoms should consult a doctor. Learn more about the differences between acid reflux, heartburn, GER, and GERD here. Leaving a longer gap between a meal and going to bed gives the body more time to digest the food.

Sitting up also helps the body digest food properly. The proper digestion of food can decrease the likelihood of acid reflux. People experiencing acid reflux during sleep time should aim to eat their last meal at least 3 hours before lying down.

Learn more about acid reflux at night here. Treatments to address the root cause of acid reflux will be the most effective in alleviating associated symptoms, such as a sore throat. Learn more about acid reflux and sore throat here. Small changes to the diet or daily habits may relieve symptoms without the need to seek guidance from a doctor.

However, it is important to be aware of worsening or persistent symptoms of acid reflux, which may indicate that a person has GERD or another condition. Read the article in Spanish. Acid reflux is very common and occurs when stomach acid flows back up into the food pipe, where it causes heartburn.

Home remedies and lifestyle tips…. Heartburn is one symptom of the condition acid reflux. Chronic acid reflux may be diagnosed as gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. This article…. Gastroesophageal reflux disease GERD is long-term, regular acid reflux.

This can cause heartburn and tissue damage. Medication and surgery can treat…. Different factors can cause acid reflux. This article discusses the…. First-line treatments for GERD include lifestyle and dietary modifications, as well as medications. Less commonly, doctors may recommend surgery.

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by Jennifer Diffley. Here are a few ways to ease that burning sensation naturally and quickly: 1. Aloe juice Aloe juice is sold at most grocery stores. Sugar-free gum Saliva helps dilute acid, so increasing the amount of saliva you produce after a meal is a great way to help prevent acid production.

Stop smoking If you're a smoker, and you need yet another reason to quit, here's one. Related: Clever Ways to Trick Your Body Into Feeling Full Heartburn is very common, but also relatively easy to treat if you monitor what foods aggravate your esophagus and combat heartburn with these remedies and other lifestyle changes.

About The Author Jennifer Diffley is a senior copywriter and has her MFA in creative writing from NYU. Jennifer is committed to health, but has an unhealthy fascination with outrageous shoes. Related Articles. Healthy Living 7 Surprising Ways Gardening Improves Your Health Planting flowers might be the answer to all your aches and pains—both mental and physical.

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Flowers, chocolates, organ donation — are you in? What is a tongue-tie? What parents need to know. Which migraine medications are most helpful?

How well do you score on brain health? Shining light on night blindness. Can watching sports be bad for your health? Beyond the usual suspects for healthy resolutions. May 22, If you are sounding a little hoarse and have a sore throat, you may be bracing for a cold or a bout of the flu.

What is GERD? Symptoms of GERD can include: heartburn — pain in the upper abdomen and chest — is the most common symptom of GERD regurgitation, or stomach contents coming back up through your esophagus and into your throat or mouth, which may cause you to taste food or stomach acid chest pain nausea problems swallowing or pain while swallowing symptoms of complications in the mouth, throat, or lungs, such as chronic cough or hoarseness.

How to get rid of acid reflux If you've been having repeated episodes of heartburn — or any other symptoms of acid reflux — you might try the following: 1. Eat sparingly and slowly When the stomach is very full, there can be more reflux into the esophagus. Avoid certain foods People with acid reflux were once instructed to eliminate all but the blandest foods from their diets.

But there are still some foods that are more likely than others to trigger reflux, including: mint fatty foods spicy food tomatoes onions garlic coffee tea chocolate alcohol.

Don't drink carbonated beverages They make you burp, which sends acid into the esophagus. Stay up after eating When you're standing, or even sitting, gravity alone helps keeps acid in the stomach, where it belongs.

Don't move too fast Avoid vigorous exercise for a couple of hours after eating. Sleep on an incline Ideally, your head should be six to eight inches higher than your feet. Lose weight if it's advised Increased weight spreads the muscular structure that supports the lower esophageal sphincter, decreasing the pressure that holds the sphincter closed.

If you smoke, quit Nicotine may relax the lower esophageal sphincter. Check your medications Some — including postmenopausal estrogen, tricyclic antidepressants, and anti-inflammatory painkillers — can relax the sphincter, while others — particularly bisphosphonates like alendronate Fosamax , ibandronate Boniva , or risedronate Actonel , which are taken to increase bone density — can irritate the esophagus.

Share This Page Share this page to Facebook Share this page to Twitter Share this page via Email. Print This Page Click to Print. Related Content. You might also be interested in….

Cooling Heartburn Heartburn can be difficult to cope with but many people manage it quite well. Free Healthbeat Signup Get the latest in health news delivered to your inbox!

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Alginate, or alginic acid, is an extract from brown seaweed that naturally forms a protective barrier between stomach acid and your esophagus. Text StartHere to to sign up for text alerts Yogurt Have a tub of yogurt you need to get through?

Next time heartburn strikes, grab a spoon. Alkaline fruits, which typically have a high content of minerals like potassium, may help prevent heartburn — and ripe bananas are an excellent source.

Some people include acid reflux in that list. Experts consistently point out the need for more research. In the meantime, the chorus of believers is loud and growing. And if your heartburn is caused by something like a hiatal hernia, it can actually make it worse. Make an appointment today. Most of the time, dietary choices and lifestyle habits are responsible for triggering heartburn symptoms.

The severity and frequency of heartburn can vary from mild and occasional to severe and persistent. Some things that can potentially trigger heartburn include:. There are several natural home remedies that may provide relief when you are actively experiencing heartburn.

If you are experiencing heartburn, there are several remedies you can try at home that may help you feel better. For mild and occasional heartburn, home remedies and over-the-counter antacids or histamine blockers can be used to relieve symptoms.

GERD can lead to damage and complications such as:. Another study showed that menthol, a compound found in mint, could worsen reflux in people with GERD. A few studies indicate that mint and some of the compounds it contains may aggravate heartburn and other reflux symptoms.

Fried foods and some other fatty foods may also be a trigger for GERD. Some research shows they may lead to heartburn. Examples include:. High-fat foods like these may contribute to heartburn by causing bile salts to be released into your digestive tract, which may irritate your esophagus.

They also appear to stimulate the release of cholecystokinin CCK , a hormone in your bloodstream that may relax the lower esophageal sphincter, allowing stomach contents back into the esophagus. One study looked at what happened when people with GERD ate high fat foods.

More than half of the participants who had reported food triggers said they experienced GERD symptoms after eating high fat, fried foods. That said, you do need some fat to stay healthy.

Learn more about healthy fats vs unhealthy fats. Your saliva helps to neutralize the acid that comes up from your stomach to your esophagus.

But smoking can reduce the amount of saliva in your mouth. Smoking also lowers the pressure in the lower esophageal sphincter, which can cause coughing and acid reflux.

Research shows that quitting smoking can reduce the severity of your acid reflux or GERD. Learn more about smoking and acid reflux. The quickest way to get relief from acid reflux might be to take an antacid like Tums. Learn more about treatments for GERD and acid reflux. Certain herbal teas, low fat or plant-based milk, non-citrus fruit juice, coconut water, and sometimes just regular water may help reduce your acid reflux symptoms.

Learn what to drink for acid reflux. If you have temporary heartburn related to something you are or a mild form of GERD, your acid reflux may go away on its own after a few hours. In more serious cases, you may need medication and lifestyle changes to manage your symptoms.

Heartburn is an uncomfortable issue that can be caused by a variety of different factors. Although there are many medications and treatment options available to ease heartburn, making a few simple changes to your diet and lifestyle may also be beneficial.

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. VIEW ALL HISTORY. Acid reflux happens when stomach acid backs up into your esophagus. Learn how to prevent and treat it with lifestyle changes, medications, or surgery….

Pregnancy increases your risk of heartburn and other reflux conditions. You may wonder why it happens, what you can do to prevent it, and what…. The terms heartburn, acid reflux, and GERD are often used interchangeably. They actually have very different meanings. Do you deal with heartburn more than twice a week?

You could be dealing with GERD. Learn what causes it, and what treatment options are available. Heartburn is a symptom of acid reflux, and diet plays an important role. These 9 foods may contribute to heartburn.

A hiatal hernia occurs when the upper part of your stomach pushes up through your diaphragm. Learn more here. Heartburn can last for two hours or more.

In pregnancy, it can start as early as your first trimester and last throughout the duration of your…. It can be managed with lifestyle changes and over-the-counter OTC medications. However, if….