How to get rid of heartburn?

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Posted by Master, Doctor Mai Vien Phuong - Department of Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital

Heartburn is most fully described as a painful, burning sensation that occurs in the area under the chest. Heartburn is a symptom of acid reflux, a condition in which stomach acid escapes into your esophagus, the tube that carries food and drink to your stomach.

Normally, acid in the stomach cannot escape into the esophagus due to a barrier called the lower esophageal sphincter. This is a ring-like muscle that closes naturally and usually opens only when you swallow or burp.
However, in people with acid reflux, this muscle is often weakened. This is one of the reasons why people with acid reflux experience heartburn.
Diet plays an important role in heartburn. Many foods can relax the lower esophageal sphincter, allowing food to escape into the esophagus and cause heartburn.

1. Overview

If you have heartburn or heartburn, you know that feeling well: A light hiccup followed by a burning sensation in the chest and throat. It can be triggered by the food you eat, especially spicy, fatty or acidic foods. Or perhaps you have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a chronic condition with many potential causes.
Whatever the cause, heartburn is uncomfortable and inconvenient. What can you do when you have heartburn?
acidosis occurs when food in the stomach backs up into the esophagus, where stomach acid can cause tissue damage. In some cases, you may experience heartburn because tight clothing is compressing your stomach. If that's the case, the first thing to do is loosen your belt — or pants, skirt, or whatever else is holding you back.
We'll go over some quick tips to get rid of heartburn, including:
Stand up straight:
Your posture can also contribute to heartburn. If you are sitting or lying down, try standing up. If you are already standing, try standing more upright. The upright position puts less pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Your LES is a ring of muscle that helps prevent stomach acid from backing up into your esophagus.

Elevate your upper body:
Lying down can make heartburn worse. When it's time for bed, adjust your sleeping surface to lift your upper body.
According to the Mayo Clinic, lifting the head with an extra pillow is often not enough. Instead, the goal is to lift your body from the waist up.
If you have an adjustable bed, position it at an appropriate angle to create a sense of relief. If your bed is not adjustable, you can change the angle of the sleeping surface using a mattress pillow.
Mix baking soda with water:
You might have a heartburn remedy in your kitchen without even knowing it. Baking soda (baking salt) can ease some heartburn by neutralizing the acid in your stomach.
To do this, dissolve a teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water and drink it slowly. In fact, you should drink everything slowly when you have heartburn.

Try ginger:
Ginger has been used as a folk remedy for heartburn for centuries. Ginger can help soothe nausea, so some believe it may also be worth a try for heartburn.
Consider adding grated or diced ginger root to your favorite recipes, soups and stir-fries. To make ginger tea, steep raw ginger root, dried ginger root or ginger tea bags in boiling water.
However, it's probably best to avoid ginger beer. Carbonated drinks are a common cause of heartburn, and most brands of ginger ale are made with artificial flavorings, not the real thing.
Take licorice supplements:
Licorice root is another folk remedy used to treat heartburn. It is believed that it can help strengthen the lining of the lining of your esophagus, which can protect your esophagus from damage caused by stomach acid.
Deglycyrrhizin licorice (DGL) is a supplement containing licorice that has been processed to remove much of its glycyrrhizin, a compound that can cause adverse side effects.
Eating too much licorice or DGLTrusted Source can raise your blood pressure, lower your potassium levels, and interfere with certain medications. Always talk to your doctor before taking licorice or DGL supplements.

Sip apple cider vinegar:
Apple cider vinegar is another home remedy that some people use to treat heartburn, believing it can neutralize acid in the stomach.
One researcher suggested that drinking diluted apple cider vinegar after a meal might help relieve heartburn for some people. However, these effects did not reach the level of statistical significance, so further research is needed.
If you decide to try this method, dilute apple cider vinegar with water and drink it after meals.
Gum:
According to 2014 researchTrusted Source , chewing gum for half an hour after a meal can also help relieve heartburn.
Chewing gum stimulates salivation and swallowing. This can help dilute and remove stomach acid from your esophagus.
Avoid secondhand smoke:
You probably already know that smoking is bad for your health. But did you know that smoking can contribute to heartburn? If you are a smoker and you have heartburn, do not light a cigarette.
Smoking can be a coping strategy when you feel uncomfortable, but it won't make that burning sensation go away.

2. Take over-the-counter heartburn medicine

There are many over-the-counter (OTC) heartburn medications available to use. These medications come in three categories:
Antacids H2 blockers Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) PPIs and H2 blockers reduce the amount of acid produced in the stomach, which can help prevent and relieve heartburn symptoms. . Antacids neutralize acid in the stomach.
Conclusion
Many foods can cause heartburn by relaxing the lower esophageal sphincter, a ring-shaped muscle that acts as a barrier between the esophagus and stomach.
If you have frequent heartburn, try eliminating some of the foods on this list from your diet to see if your symptoms improve.
You should keep a food diary so you can keep track of which foods are causing your heartburn.
You can also try adding foods to your heartburn relief diet, such as bananas, melons, oatmeal, whole grains, potatoes, ginger, and greens.
When heartburn occurs, many over-the-counter treatments, home remedies, and lifestyle modifications can provide relief.
Adjusting your daily routine can also help prevent heartburn symptoms from developing in the first place. For example, try:
Avoid common heartburn triggers, such as greasy and spicy foods Eat at least three hours before bedtime Avoid lying down after eating Maintain a healthy weight If you have heartburn more than two or three times a week, talk to your doctor. In some cases, they may prescribe medications or other treatments.

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References
Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) and heartburn. (n.d.). pamf.org/gastroenterology/conditions/gerd.html Ginger. (2016). nccih.nih.gov/health/ginger Herbal remedies for heartburn. (n.d.). health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/herbal-remedies-for-heartburn Licorice root. (2016). nccih.nih.gov/health/licoriceroot Mayo Clinic Staff. (2018). Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gerd/symptoms-causes/syc-20361940 Mayo Clinic Staff. (2018). Heartburn. mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heartburn/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20373229 Stomach-soothing steps for heartburn. (2012). health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/stomach-soothing-steps-for-heartburn