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Key Points
- Acid reflux, a condition causing discomfort due to stomach acid backing up into the esophagus, can be managed with home remedies and lifestyle changes.
- Home remedies for acid reflux include drinking milk, water with baking soda, and chewing gum, as well as adjusting sleeping positions.
- Lifestyle adjustments such as eating dinner earlier, consuming smaller meals, maintaining a healthy weight, and limiting certain food and drink intake can help manage acid reflux.
- Over-the-counter medications can be effective for acid reflux treatment, but frequent use may require a doctor's consultation.
- It's important to consult a doctor for severe or frequent acid reflux symptoms, or if over-the-counter medications are needed more than twice a week.
Have a burning sensation in your chest or throat after eating? You may have acid reflux (also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD). According to Healthline, this is a common condition where the acid from your stomach backs up into the esophagus, causing irritation and discomfort.
While medication is available to treat acid reflux, there are also several home remedies that can help alleviate symptoms.
Fast-Acting Home Remedies for Acid Reflux
1. Drinking Milk
Milk may help neutralize stomach acid, according to WebMD. Although too much milk may worsen your acid reflux, they warn. If you want to try this remedy, they recommend that you drink no more than 8 oz of skim milk, once a day.
2. Drink Water and Baking Soda
Baking soda has an alkaline pH, according to Medical News Today. This makes baking soda the perfect antidote to acid reflux. Medical News Today recommends that you mix a half teaspoon of baking soda in a half cup of water if you are in a pinch and need quick relief from acid reflux. Alternatively, you can get a similar result by taking sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) which is available in tablet form at most retail pharmacies (a popular brand name is Tums).
3. Chew Gum
Chewing gum can help increase saliva production, which can help neutralize stomach acid, according to WebMD. However, they also note that you choose sugar-free gum because added sugars may make your acid reflux worse.
4. Sleep on Your Left Side
Sleeping on your left side may help alleviate acid reflux symptoms, according to Healthline. They note that the esophagus attaches to the stomach on the right side, so laying on your left side may help stomach acid from flowing back up into the esophagus.
5. Elevate the Head of Your Bed
Many people suffer acid reflux symptoms at night, according to Healthline. This is because laying down may allow the acid in your stomach to rise up into your esophagus. Raising the head of your bed by a few inches can help prevent this, Healthline notes. If you don’t have an expensive mattress that allows you to raise the head, try placing blocks under the head of the bed or using a wedge pillow.
Lifestyle Adjustments for Acid Reflux Management
If you suffer from acid reflux on a regular basis, there are several lifestyle adjustments you can make to help manage your symptoms.
1. Eat Dinner Earlier
Eating a large meal right before bedtime can trigger acid reflux symptoms, according to Healthline. They recommend that you eat dinner at least a few hours before going to bed. This will give your stomach enough time to digest the food and could prevent stomach acid from flowing back into your esophagus.
2. Eat Smaller, More Frequent Meals
Eating smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day can help reduce the amount of acid your stomach produces, according to Healthline. This can help prevent acid reflux symptoms from occurring in the first place, or at least greatly reduce your symptoms. Healthline also notes that it is important to chew your food thoroughly to help make digestion easier on your stomach.
3. Maintain a Healthy Weight
Being obese can increase your risk of developing acid reflux, according to Healthline. This is because excess abdominal fat can put pressure on your stomach and cause acid reflux. Healthline recommends that you maintain a healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise.
4. Limit Your Alcohol Intake
According to Healthline, drinking alcohol can weaken the lower esophageal sphincter (the muscle that keeps stomach acid from flowing back into your esophagus). They recommend that you limit your alcohol intake to reduce the risk of acid reflux symptoms.
5. Monitor Your Coffee & Carbonated Beverages Intake
Coffee and carbonated beverages can also weaken the lower esophageal sphincter and increase the risk of acid reflux symptoms, according to Healthline. They recommend that you limit your intake of these beverages or switch to decaffeinated coffee and non-carbonated drinks.
6. Don’t Drink Too Much Citrus Juice
Citrus juices (such as orange and grapefruit juice) can irritate the lining of your esophagus and trigger acid reflux symptoms, according to Healthline. Limiting your intake of citrus juices or diluting them with water can reduce their acidity.
7. Avoid Mint
Mint can relax the lower esophageal sphincter and increase the risk of acid reflux symptoms, according to Healthline. So if you suffer from frequent acid reflux, Healthline recommends that you avoid mint-flavored foods and drinks (such as mint gum and mint tea).
8. Limit High-Fat Foods
High-fat foods can slow down digestion and increase the risk of acid reflux symptoms, according to Healthline. They recommend that you limit your intake of high-fat foods (like fried foods and red meats) if you’re experiencing frequent acid reflux symptoms.
9. Quit Smoking
Smoking can also weaken your lower esophageal sphincter and increase the risk of acid reflux symptoms, according to Healthline. Thus, kicking your smoking habit to the curb can reduce your acid reflux symptoms.
10. Over-the-Counter Acid Reflux Medications
There are several antacids available over-the-counter medications for acid reflux, according to WebMD. Over-the-counter options include medications for quick relief (like Tums or Alka-Seltzer), and medications for long-term relief (like Pepcid, Zantac, or Tagamet).
When to See a Doctor for Acid Reflux
In many cases, GERD can be treated or resolved with home remedies or over-the-counter medications. However, the Mayo Clinic notes that you should see a doctor if:
- You are experiencing what you think are reflux symptoms for the first time
- You experience severe or frequent acid reflux symptoms
- You’re taking over-the-counter medications for heartburn more than twice a week
Summary of How to Manage Acid Reflux
There are several things you can do at home to help alleviate symptoms of acid reflux or prevent it altogether. Some of the most effective home remedies for acid reflux include:
- Eating smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day
- Avoiding trigger foods such as spicy, fatty, or acidic foods
- Waiting at least 2-3 hours after eating before lying down
- Elevating the head of your bed
- Sleeping on your left side
- Losing weight if you are overweight or obese
- Quitting smoking
- Limiting your caffeine, alcohol, and carbonated beverage intake
- Drinking a small amount of milk
Over-the-counter medications can also help alleviate acid reflux symptoms. However, if you are taking over-the-counter medications more than twice a week or experiencing severe symptoms, the sources noted above recommend that see your doctor.
Frequently asked questions
What is acid reflux?
Acid reflux is a condition where stomach acid backs up into the esophagus, causing discomfort.What are some home remedies for acid reflux?
Some home remedies for acid reflux include drinking milk, water with baking soda, and chewing gum, as well as sleeping on your left side and elevating the head of your bed.What lifestyle changes can help manage acid reflux?
Eating dinner earlier, eating smaller, more frequent meals, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol, coffee, and carbonated beverage intake, not drinking too much citrus juice, avoiding mint, limiting high-fat foods, and quitting smoking can all help manage acid reflux.Are there over-the-counter medications available for acid reflux?
Yes, there are over-the-counter medications available for acid reflux.When should I see a doctor for acid reflux?
You should see a doctor for acid reflux if you're experiencing severe or frequent symptoms, or if you're taking over-the-counter medications more than twice a week.Can acid reflux be treated or resolved with home remedies or over-the-counter medications?
Yes, many cases of acid reflux can be treated or resolved with home remedies or over-the-counter medications.What foods and drinks should I avoid to manage acid reflux?
To manage acid reflux, it's recommended to limit alcohol, coffee, carbonated beverages, citrus juice, mint, and high-fat foods.Does maintaining a healthy weight help in managing acid reflux?
Yes, maintaining a healthy weight can help manage acid reflux.
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