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Key Points
- Heartburn, a burning sensation in the chest or throat, is caused by stomach acid flowing back into the esophagus, with triggers including certain foods, alcohol, caffeine, smoking, pregnancy, obesity, and some medications.
- Immediate medical attention is recommended if chest discomfort is a new symptom.
- Home remedies for heartburn range from baking soda, licorice supplements, chewing gum, and ginger, to over-the-counter medications, sitting upright, avoiding trigger foods, quitting smoking, and eating slowly.
- It's crucial to seek medical advice if heartburn happens more than twice a week, persists despite over-the-counter medications, or causes difficulty swallowing, persistent nausea, vomiting, or weight loss due to poor appetite or difficulty eating.
- Preventing heartburn can be achieved through a well-balanced diet, avoiding trigger foods, eating earlier before bedtime, consuming more fiber, reducing meal portions, losing excess weight, quitting smoking, and using an extra pillow at night.
If you have a burning sensation in your chest or throat, you may be experiencing heartburn. Heartburn is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide, according to the Mayo Clinic. It occurs when stomach acid flows up into the esophagus—irritating the sensitive mucosa of the esophagus.
Symptoms Of Heartburn
The most common symptom of heartburn is a burning sensation in the chest or the back of your throat. Often this occurs after eating or at night. Occasionally, this burning sensation is also accompanied by a sour or bitter taste in the mouth, according to the Mayo Clinic.
The Mayo Clinic also notes a few things that can make heartburn worse, including:
- Eating spicy or fatty foods
- Drinking alcohol or caffeine
- Smoking
- Pregnancy
- Obesity
- Certain medications, such as aspirin or ibuprofen
First Steps
For any new symptoms of chest discomfort, seek medical attention immediately. Before talking about home remedies, it is very important with anything that causes chest discomfort to establish a diagnosis first.
Home Remedies For Heartburn
If you’re suffering from a bout of heartburn, there are several home remedies that can help ease your symptoms:
1. Baking Soda
Baking soda is a natural antacid that can help neutralize stomach acid, according to Healthline. They recommend that you mix a teaspoon of baking soda with a glass of water and drink it slowly. Healthline also notes that it is important to note that baking soda should not be used regularly as overuse can lead to side effects such as nausea.
2. Licorice Supplements
Licorice root is an herbal remedy that may help heartburn, according to Healthline. You may be able to find licorice root supplements at some health food stores or retail pharmacies. It is important to note that licorice may raise your blood pressure, lower your potassium levels, or interfere with certain medications—so Healthline recommends that you speak with your doctor before taking any licorice supplements.
3. Chewing Gum
Chewing gum can help increase saliva production, which can help neutralize stomach acid, according to Healthline. They note that there is a small study from 2005 that shows chewing sugar-free gum for a half hour after meals may help heartburn. Since chewing gum is safe for most people, it’s worth a try!
4. Ginger
Ginger is often used in Chinese medicine to relieve nausea, so it may also be beneficial for treating heartburn, according to Healthline. Ginger tea is usually well tolerated and can be found at most grocery stores.
5. Over-the-Counter Heartburn Medications
Over-the-counter medications are effective in treating the symptoms of heartburn, according to Healthline. They note that it is important to follow the instructions on the label and not to exceed the recommended dosage. There are a few different OTC medications that you can find at most retail pharmacies, including:
- Antacids like Tums, Mylanta, Pepto-Bismol, and Rolaids
- H2 Blockers like Pepcid or Tagamet
- Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) like Prilosec, Nexium, or Prevacid
6. Sitting Upright
Sitting upright can help prevent stomach acid from flowing back into the esophagus, according to Healthline. They recommend that you sit upright for at least 30 minutes after meals, and use pillows to elevate yourself while sleeping.
7. Avoid Triggering Foods
Certain foods can trigger heartburn symptoms, according to Healthline. They recommend that you avoid these foods if you are struggling with heartburn. Some triggering foods include:
- Spicy foods
- Onions
- Citrus products
- Tomato products, such as ketchup
- Fatty or fried foods
- Peppermint
- Chocolate
- Alcohol, carbonated beverages, coffee or other caffeinated beverages
- Large or fatty meals
8. Stop Smoking
Smoking can increase the production of stomach acid and weaken the lower esophageal sphincter—both can lead to heartburn according to Healthline. They recommend that you cut down or quit smoking, which can ease your heartburn symptoms and improve your overall health.
9. Eat Slowly
Eating slowly can help reduce the amount of air that you swallow and prevent stomach acid from flowing back into the esophagus, according to Healthline. Chewing thoroughly also helps digestion, they note.
When to see a Doctor for Heartburn
In most cases once diagnosed, heartburn can be treated with home remedies, lifestyle changes, or over-the-counter treatments. However, there are some cases when it can be a sign of a more serious health condition—even a heart problem, according to the Mayo Clinic. They recommend that you see your doctor if you have the following symptoms:
- Heartburn occurs more than twice a week
- Symptoms that persist despite the use of nonprescription medications
- You have difficulty swallowing
- You have persistent nausea or vomiting
- You have weight loss because of poor appetite or difficulty eating
How to Prevent Heartburn
In many cases, heartburn can be prevented with some lifestyle changes. WebMD recommends the following:
- Eating a well-balanced diet and avoiding triggering foods (keeping a food diary can help you determine if you have any triggering foods)
- Eat two to three hours before you go to bed
- Eat slower
- Eat more fiber
- Reduce the portion size of your meals
- Lose excess weight
- Stop smoking
- Use an extra pillow at night to prevent yourself from lying flat
Summary
Heartburn is a common condition that involves stomach acid backing up into your esophagus. Most cases of heartburn can be treated at home or with over-the-counter medications. Here are some things you can do at home to help with heartburn:
- Drink a small amount of baking soda with water
- Try a licorice supplement
- Chew gum for a half hour after eating
- Drink ginger tea
- Use an extra pillow or wedge so you don’t sleep flat
- Avoid spicy or fatty foods
- Stop smoking
- Eat slowly
- Eat smaller meals
- Don’t lay down for two to three hours after eating
- Lose excess weight
- Eat more fiber
Frequently asked questions
What causes heartburn?
Heartburn is caused by stomach acid flowing back into the esophagus. Triggers can include certain foods, alcohol, caffeine, smoking, pregnancy, obesity, and some medications.What are some home remedies for heartburn?
Some home remedies for heartburn include baking soda, licorice supplements, chewing gum, ginger, over-the-counter medications, sitting upright, avoiding trigger foods, quitting smoking, and eating slowly.When should I seek medical attention for heartburn?
You should seek medical attention if you experience heartburn more than twice a week, if it persists despite using over-the-counter medications, or if it causes difficulty swallowing, persistent nausea, vomiting, or weight loss due to poor appetite or difficulty eating.What can I do to prevent heartburn?
Preventive measures for heartburn include eating a well-balanced diet, avoiding trigger foods, eating two to three hours before bedtime, eating slowly, consuming more fiber, reducing meal portion sizes, losing excess weight, quitting smoking, and using an extra pillow at night.Are there any foods that trigger heartburn?
Yes, spicy or fatty foods, alcohol, and caffeine are common triggers of heartburn.Can smoking and obesity cause heartburn?
Yes, smoking and obesity are known to increase the risk of heartburn.Can heartburn cause weight loss?
Yes, persistent heartburn can lead to weight loss due to poor appetite or difficulty eating.Is it safe to use over-the-counter medications for heartburn?
Yes, over-the-counter medications can be used for heartburn. However, if symptoms persist despite using these medications, it's important to consult a doctor.
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