If you suffer from heartburn, then you are aware of the discomfort and the burning sensation that goes along with it. The burning sensation in your throat and chest from the heartburn is unpleasant and can be triggered by many types of foods; especially spicy, acidic or fatty foods. Even people who suffer from GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, which is a chronic condition that causes heartburn, know well the crushing chest pain followed by the burning sensation in their throats. Many people often resort to taking medication to get relief from heartburn. However, the fact is that while these drugs can provide you with temporary relief, they can cause potential harm in the long run. Instead of resorting to taking medications, you can actually turn to some natural home remedies to deal with heartburn. So how to get rid of heartburn without medications? Let’s find out.

10 Simple Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Heartburn Without Medications

Now that you know the harmful effects of using medications for treating heartburn, what are some ways in which you can get rid of heartburn, but without using any medications?

Here is a list of home remedies that you can use for managing digestive problems without having to take these dangerous acid-suppressing drugs.

Use Baking Soda

After a meal, if you experience heartburn, then baking soda can come to your rescue. Simply mix one teaspoon of baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, in a glass of plain water and drink this home remedy to get rid of heartburn without medications. In fact, you may be surprised to know that sodium bicarbonate is one of the ingredients that are commonly found in antacids. The reason baking soda is effective in giving relief in heartburn is because it is alkaline and is capable of neutralizing excess amounts of stomach acid. However, do not use baking soda regularly, especially if you are pregnant as it has a high content of salt, which can cause pregnancy-related side effects, such as nausea and swelling. Nevertheless, even in pregnancy or in an emergency situation when your heartburn is causing severe pain, you can definitely turn to baking soda to provide quick relief from acid reflux or heartburn and say goodbye to medications.
Use Aloe Vera Juice

Many people use aloe vera gel to effectively soothe burns. The same premise works for stomach acid as well. Aloe vera juice is also known to reduce the inflammation in the esophagus, thus providing relief in heartburn. If you suffer from regular heartburn, then you should drink half-a-cup of aloe vera juice before having your meals. It is important to note that aloe vera is also known to act as a laxative making it an excellent home remedy. Therefore, you must choose a brand of aloe vera juice that is free from the laxative agent to get rid of your heartburn.
Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is known to be efficient home remedy for getting rid of heartburn so that you can ultimately stop taking any antacids. By sipping apple cider vinegar you can get relief from heartburn. Apple cider vinegar helps your body get relief from heartburn because sometimes the stomach tends to produce less acid, which also becomes a cause of heartburn. You should mix a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a normal glass of water and drink it every day. You can also keep sipping on it throughout the day. Apple cider vinegar will help ease the symptoms of heartburn quickly, finishing off your dependency on medications to treat heartburn. However, if you have a very sensitive stomach, then apple cider vinegar might not be suited for you. Make sure that you are having vinegar that is not filtered or processed for treating your heartburn.
Chewing Gum can help

Many people are surprised to learn that chewing gum can actually help in getting rid of heartburn without medications. Chewing any sugar-free gum for 30 minutes or approximately 30 minutes after every meal can help provide relief from heartburn. This is because chewing gum increases the saliva flow in the body by nearly 140%, which reduces the level of acid present in the esophagus. This also quickly dilutes any acid that is building up in the gut. As chewing gum removes any excess stomach acid, it helps in providing relief from the symptoms of GERD. Saliva also has many protective compounds in it that help the esophagus. These include prostaglandin, mucin, proteins, epidermal growth factor, and E2. All these compounds together establish the fact that chewing gum is an effective treatment for heartburn or acid reflux without having to take medications.
Sip on Ginger Tea

Ginger is known to cure heartburn by reducing acidity in the stomach. Many research studies have shown that ginger has a gastroprotective effect on the body as it blocks the production of excess acid and also suppresses the action of Helicobacter pylori making it a useful home remedy. To make ginger tea, simply add some grated ginger into a cup of hot, preferably boiling water. You can have it once it cools down to effectively get rid of heartburn.
Opt for Losing Weight

Studies have shown that obese patients have gotten relief from heartburn symptoms after they lost weight. This is because the extra weight on your body puts a lot of strain on your stomach, which is not able to keep the acid down. This is why the acid starts to head up towards your esophagus. By getting into shape and losing some weight, you will not only get rid of heartburn without medications, but you will also start feeling healthier also.
Wear Loose Clothing

Heartburn happens when the acid of your stomach rises up into your esophagus, burning the tissues of the esophagus. It is possible that sometimes wearing tight clothing can compress your stomach, causing the acid to rise upwards into the esophagus. If this is the case, you should first of all loosen your belt if you are wearing one, or else opt for wearing loose clothing. Wearing loose clothes is a simple remedy to get rid of heartburn without medications.
Don’t Overeat

If you suffer from regular incidences of acid reflux, then you should try having smaller meals, more frequently. Chew your food properly and stop eating just before you get full. This helps prevent the distension of your stomach. Distension of the stomach is known to be the primary trigger for GERD and heartburn. Also, try and make your mealtime a relaxing and quiet time so that you can properly focus on your food. This will promote normal esophageal motility, preventing the buildup of excess acid in the stomach and also preventing heartburn without needing medications.
Calcium Citrate Powder to the Rescue

It is a good idea to take around 150 mg of calcium citrate powder after your meals. You can dissolve the powder in a small amount of water and have it after each meal, particularly at bedtime to prevent acid reflux during the night. The role of calcium is often not properly understood in the prevention of GERD. There are preparations like Tums and Rolaids which are made from calcium carbonate and serve as antacids. However, these products do not really have any substantial impact on the level of acidity of the stomach or on the esophagus. Calcium citrate, which is a mild acidic form of calcium, is known to work better than calcium carbonate. This is because of the reason that calcium citrate is more soluble than calcium carbonate. Thus, this form of calcium gets absorbed by the esophagus cells faster. However, keep in mind that calcium supplements are not the same thing as calcium citrate. Calcium citrate has to be taken in a solution form so that it can easily reach the lower esophagus, preventing heartburn and acid reflux without resorting to medications.
Dietary Changes

You should look at dietary changes as a long-term solution for preventing acid reflux without having to resort to medications. In order to make changes to your diet, you need to, first of all, stop eating acidic foods that will cause inflammation of the esophageal tissues. If you have managed to identify certain foods that cause heartburn, then immediately remove them from your diet and see if there are any improvements in your heartburn symptoms. Some foods and beverages that are known to trigger heartburn in people include:
- Spicy foods
- Garlic
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Onions
- Coffee
- Orange juice
- Sodas
- Alcohol
- Energy drinks
Also cut down on your intake of processed foods. Rather than having cow milk, you can opt for soy milk or goat milk. This is because these milk versions contain lesser fat levels than cow milk and this means that there will be lesser stress on your stomach during the digestion process. Just making simple changes in your diet, you can forever get rid of heartburn without using medications.

Conclusion

All the home remedies discussed here are known to be perfectly safe and are completely natural. By following these remedies, you will be able to get rid of heartburn without using any medications. Apart from following these home remedies, you should also make it a point to drink more water, particularly with your meals. Water helps clear the stomach acids and prevents the flow of acid from the surface of the esophagus back into the stomach. It is important to keep in mind that if you are suffering from acid reflux or heartburn for a long period of time, then it could indicate a more serious and underlying condition. Therefore, consult a gastroenterologist to get a proper medical diagnosis for your condition.

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10 Simple Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Heartburn Without Medications