If you’re like many guys, that spicy chilli tastes amazing going down, but it often returns for a 3 am visit.
Heartburn, or acid reflux, affects 5 million Canadians at least once each week. The painful condition, which happens when stomach acid creeps back up where it doesn’t belong, can affect sleep and focus throughout the day.
Wondering how to stop heartburn pain naturally? Thankfully, plenty of remedies can cool the burn without medication.
First things first, if you have heartburn RIGHT NOW. Add a 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda to a 1/2 cup of water. Now drink it.
If heartburn is something that affects you on the regular, add these foods to your diet to reduce heartburn:
1. Fruits and vegetables
Which foods stop heartburn? You may not have listened when your momma told you to eat your fruits and vegetables, but painful acid reflux is good motivation to give it a shot. Top acid calming foods include celery, melon, and bananas — foods to avoid: acidic fruits like oranges, lemons, grapefruit, pineapple, and tomatoes.
2. Oatmeal
This wonder meal is low in calories, high in fibre, and a good source of iron and B vitamins. It’s also a sure way to alleviate heartburn and keep you full.
3. Chewing gum
Saliva production helps alleviate any acid trying to work its way up. Pop a piece of cinnamon or fruit-flavoured gum after a spicy meal, and it should help without needing to rely on using an antacid. Avoid peppermint and spearmint-flavoured gums, which can increase stomach acid production in some people.
4. Chill out on the booze and cigarettes
These two vices combined are a sure way to set your throat on fire. Nix the cigs, and if you’re out with the boys for a few pints, switch to water before you head home to help settle that gut before bed.
If you’re suffering through a bad bout of heartburn, avoid caffeine and spicy meals for at least a week. If it persists, or if you have any concerns, be sure to see your doctor.
5. Baking soda
If you’re in a pinch and can’t find anything else around the house, half a teaspoon mixed in with some water may provide quick relief from the burn.
If you go this route, you need to keep in mind that this isn’t a long term fix. Baking soda isn’t safe for long-term use. No longer than two weeks is the maximum recommended length of time.
An Important Note: Chest discomfort can also be a sign of something more serious such as a heart attack. If you think you might be having a heart attack, you should call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number immediately or have someone call for you. Click here for the signs of a heart attack.
Are there any tried and true methods to get rid of heartburn that you swear by? Please share them with us in the comments below!
This article was originally published on August 25, 2015.
Chewable over-the-counter calcium or magnesium tablets work well, too.
Good to know @ peppermint and spearmint
Best method of fighting reflux and heartburn is the ingestion of lots of ph balanced water, which I get from a device I purchased from my son-in-law.
I would like tips on how to heal and stop my very intense symptoms of GERD.
I am on PPI medication but would like to go off of them. I have been diagnosed with Barretts Esophagus.
Hi Yvonne,
Your doctor can give you the best advise for your condition. Reach out to your doctor at your earliest convenience.
The Don’t Change Much team
Doctors can’t seem to help!Acid reflux phlegm producing saliva a real nightmare! Spend half my nights sleeping in my recliner chair until the throat clears out the Mucus! Meds don’t seem to work! Good diet helps but not always the right foods! Discomfort until 2–3 am!! HELP!