Heartburn, despite its name, has nothing to do with your heart. It’s that burning discomfort in your esophagus, the tube connecting your mouth and stomach. When acid reflux hits, it can be a minor annoyance lasting minutes or a painful ordeal stretching for hours. If you’re seeking rapid relief, you’re not alone.
Understanding Acid Reflux and Heartburn
“Heartburn is essentially stomach acid flowing back up into the esophagus,” clarifies Dr. Kerri Glassner, a gastroenterologist at Houston Methodist. This backflow, known as acid reflux, occurs because the stomach’s acidic contents, crucial for digestion, irritate the unprotected esophagus.
Your stomach is built to handle its own acid, but your esophagus isn’t. A muscular ring at the base of the esophagus, the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), acts as a valve. It relaxes to allow food into the stomach and tightens to prevent stomach acid from escaping upwards.
Alt text: Illustration depicting stomach acid refluxing into the esophagus, causing heartburn.
When the LES relaxes improperly, stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, leading to acid reflux. Heartburn is the primary symptom, and it can manifest in various ways:
- A burning sensation in the chest, often behind the breastbone.
- Pain that moves upwards towards the throat.
- A sour or bitter taste in the mouth.
While sometimes a medical condition or medication can be the culprit, acid reflux and heartburn are frequently triggered by diet and lifestyle choices. Common triggers include:
- Certain foods: spicy, acidic, caffeine, chocolate, and alcohol.
- Smoking.
- Being overweight.
8 Effective Home Remedies to Get Rid of Acid Reflux Fast
If you’re looking for How To Get Rid Of Acid Reflux Fast or prevent it from occurring, here are eight home remedies to ease and avoid symptoms:
1. Track Trigger Foods with a Food Journal
Certain foods are known acid reflux culprits because they can weaken the lower esophageal sphincter. “These foods reduce LES pressure, making it easier for stomach acid to reflux,” explains Dr. Glassner.
Keep a detailed food journal to pinpoint your specific trigger foods. Note what you eat and when heartburn occurs. Once identified, minimize or eliminate these foods from your diet.
2. Stay Upright After Meals
Lying down soon after eating encourages acid reflux. Wait for at least 2-3 hours after your last meal before lying down, especially before bedtime. This allows your stomach to empty and reduces pressure on the LES.
3. Practice Portion Control and Mindful Eating
Overeating, especially right before bed, increases pressure in your stomach. This pressure can overwhelm the LES and lead to acid reflux. Eat smaller, more frequent meals and avoid rushing while eating.
4. Achieve and Maintain a Healthy Weight
Excess weight adds pressure to your abdomen and stomach, increasing the likelihood of acid reflux and heartburn. A balanced diet and regular physical activity (at least 150 minutes weekly) are key to weight management and reducing acid reflux risk.
Alt text: Image of a person eating a healthy, balanced meal with fresh vegetables and lean protein.
5. Elevate Your Bed Head
Sleeping with your head and chest elevated above your feet can significantly reduce nighttime acid reflux. Use bed risers or a wedge pillow to raise the head of your bed. Simply piling up pillows isn’t as effective and can even worsen symptoms by bending your body in an awkward way.
6. Consider Sleeping on Your Left Side
Some research suggests that sleeping on your left side can aid digestion and potentially limit acid reflux. While Dr. Glassner acknowledges this, she notes it may be difficult to maintain for some sleepers.
7. Opt for Loose-Fitting Clothing
Tight clothes, particularly belts and garments that constrict your stomach area, can contribute to heartburn. Choose looser clothing to reduce pressure on your abdomen.
8. Quit Smoking
Smoking weakens the LES and increases stomach acid production, both contributing to acid reflux. Quitting smoking can drastically reduce or even eliminate heartburn episodes.
When to Seek Medical Help for Acid Reflux
For occasional, mild heartburn, over-the-counter antacids can provide quick relief. Always follow product label instructions and avoid exceeding recommended dosages.
However, if you experience severe or frequent heartburn, or if home remedies and OTC medications don’t provide sufficient relief, it’s crucial to consult a doctor.
“If you are experiencing daily symptoms requiring antacids, it’s time to see a gastroenterologist,” advises Dr. Glassner. “Furthermore, if heartburn persists despite daily use of a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), medical consultation is necessary.”
Persistent heartburn can sometimes be a risk factor for more serious conditions like Barrett’s esophagus (a precancerous condition) or esophageal cancer. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- New onset of heartburn if you are over 60 years old.
- Vomiting blood.
- Black or bloody stools.
- Difficulty or pain when swallowing.
- Persistent vomiting.
- Loss of appetite.
- Unexplained weight loss.
While these home remedies can offer fast relief for acid reflux, they are not a substitute for medical advice when symptoms are severe or persistent. Addressing lifestyle factors and seeking professional help when needed are key to managing acid reflux and maintaining digestive health.
