How to Get Rid of Heartburn

Have you ever experienced a burning feeling in your chest (just behind your breastbone) that lasts for a few minutes or extends to several hours? Does this symptom manifest whenever you finish a meal? Watch out: It may be chronic heartburn.

Heartburn, which is a symptom of acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), occurs when stomach acid moves up into your esophagus because of a hiatal hernia or a Helicobacter pylori infection. It can bring a lot of discomfort to those who experience it. It may also come with other symptoms, such as sore throat, long-term cough and voice hoarseness.1

The good news is that chronic heartburn can be addressed with simple home remedies – allowing you to avoid the need for pharmaceutical interventions. Below is an exhaustive list of tips that you can use to help get rid of heartburn – try them to see which one will work best for you.2,3,4,5

How to Get Rid of Heartburn: Natural Solutions That May Work for You

If you want to get rid of heartburn fast, the remedy may be sitting in your kitchen cabinet all along. Here are some effective methods that may help relieve heartburn quickly or even prevent it from occurring at all.

•Try organic raw apple cider vinegar (ACV). Because acid reflux actually occurs due to having very small amounts of acid in your stomach, ACV may actually help keep it from occurring. Simply dissolve a tablespoon of it in a glass of water and drink it to improve your acid levels.

•Use baking soda (sodium bicarbonate). While this is not recommended as a regular solution, it may come in handy whenever you're experiencing extreme pain due to heartburn. Simply dissolve half or a full teaspoon of baking soda in an eight-ounce glass of water and drink it. This will help neutralize stomach acid and ease the burning sensation heartburn brings.

•Sip on aloe vera juice. Drinking half a cup of aloe vera juice before mealtimes may ease heartburn, as it actually helps reduce inflammation. Aloe vera juice has a laxative component, however, so make sure the brand you use has removed this effect.

•Enjoy a cup of fresh ginger root tea. If you know that you're going to be consuming a huge meal, it may be helpful if you drink a cup of ginger tea at least 20 minutes before you start eating. Simply let steep two to three slices of the root in two cups of hot water for half an hour.

Ginger actually has a gastroprotective effect that suppresses H. pylori bacteria, and is anti-inflammatory. It also tightens your lower esophageal sphincter, thus preventing acid from refluxing.6,7 Certain foods and herbs may also help with acid reflux and ease heartburn if you incorporate them in your diet. Here are some examples: (MORE)

Source: Mercola.com