Usually, successful treatment involves a mix of prevention strategies and medications.
A few ways to treatheartburninclude:
Is Heartburn the Same as GERD?
Though heartburn is related togastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), the terms are not interchangeable.
Verywell / Jessica Olah
Diet and Lifestyle Changes
The best heartburn treatment may not be a medical treatment at all.
The following tips can help relieve occasional heartburn and may prevent it in the future.
Verywell / Jessica Olah
Don’t Smoke
Nicotine in cigarette smoke relaxes the loweresophageal sphincter.
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
What Is the LES?
The lower esophageal sphincter, or LES, is a band of muscle at the bottom of the esophagus.
Heartburn pops up if the LES is not functioning properly.
Lose Weight if Overweight
Being overweight or obese places pressure on the abdomen.
This can lead to stomach acid traveling up into your esophagus, causing heartburn and other symptoms.
It also helps to loosen the waistband on clothes if you have regular heartburn.
Anything that compresses the abdomen can directly affect the function of the esophagus.
Opt instead for loose-fitting clothes when occasional heartburn strikes.
BMI is a dated, flawed measure.
It does not take into account factors such asbody composition, ethnicity, sex, race, and age.
Natural Antacids
Heartburn may last anywhere from just a few minutes to several hours.
While some foods can spur acid, others can tamp it down.
Skim milk, on the other hand, is fat-free and may help to relieve heartburn.
Yogurt may be beneficial for acid reflux due to its naturally occurring probiotics, which aid in overall digestion.
Yogurt can also help soothe stomach discomfort and provide a cooling sensation.
There is some evidence that drinking chamomile tea after meals or right before bed may reduce GERD symptoms.
However, more research is needed to evaluate the effect of chamomile specifically on stomach acid or heartburn.
Baking Soda
Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is a natural antacid.
Side effects include burping and bloating.
Speak with your healthcare provider before using baking soda for heartburn.
Sodium bicarbonate may decrease the effectiveness of aspirin.
It should not be used in pregnant people due to the risk of abnormal fluid build-up.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera juice has been used in traditional medicine to treat esophageal irritation.
This includes AloeCure, a formulated remedy containing organic processed aloe juice.
Marketed as an all-natural remedy for digestive disorders, AloeCure was found to relieve heartburn in several small studies.
Talk to your healthcare provider before using aloe vera.
Aloe vera should be avoided in people taking diabetes medications as it can lower blood sugar and causehypoglycemia.
Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice
Deglycyrrhizinated licoriceis a natural remedy sometimes used to soothe heartburn and other digestive ailments.
On its own,licoricecan raiseblood pressure, decrease potassium levels, and cause undesirable side effects.
By contrast, deglycyrrhizinated licorice has removed the ingredient responsible for this effect (called glycyrrhizic acid).
Some studies suggest that deglycyrrhizinated licorice may be useful in relieving occasional heartburn and indigestion.
Be sure to discuss the potential side effects of deglycyrrhizinated licorice with your healthcare provider.
Over-the-Counter Heartburn Treatments
There are several over-the-counter (OTC) remedies for heartburn.
These include antacids, H2 blockers, and proton pump inhibitors.
Antacid Medications
Antacidsare commonly used to treat heartburn and work the fastest to neutralize stomach acids.
Speak with a healthcare provider before using antacids to ensure they do not interact with your other medications.
H2 Blockers
H2 blockers, also known asH2-receptor antagonists, are medicines that reduce stomach acid.
They block a chemical called histamine-2 (H2) that stimulates acid-producing cells in the stomach.
Side effectsinclude headache, diarrhea,constipation, stomach upset, cough, hoarseness, nausea, and vomiting.
Prescription H2 blockers are higher in dosage than their OTC version.
These are intended for the short-term relief ofsevere heartburnonly.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If you experience heartburn regularly (e.g.
more than twice weekly), you should see a healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
Also, speak to your healthcare provider before taking natural remedies or OTC treatments for heartburn.
Over-the-counter antacids, H2 blockers, and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) also relieve occasional heartburn.
People with severe heartburn may require prescription H2 blockers or PPIs to control their symptoms.
Medications like these are intended for short-term use only.
InformedHealth.org [Internet].
[Updated 2021 Dec 27]
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Smoking and the digestive system.
Harvard Medical School.What to eat when you have chronic heartburn.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for GER & GERD.
Herdiana Y.Functional Food in Relation to Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).
A systematic literature review and meta-analysis.Clin Nutr ESPEN.
2022;52:340-352. doi:10.1016/j.clnesp.2022.09.015
Harvard Medical School.Herbal remedies for heartburn.
2018;32(6):985-995. doi:10.1002/ptr.6054
Medline Plus.Sodium bicarbonate.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Licorice root.
Yeh AM, Golianu B.Integrative treatment of reflux and functional dyspepsia in children.Children (Basel).
2014;1(2):119-33. doi:10.3390/children1020119
Murray MT.Glycyrrhiza glabra(Licorice).Textbook of Natural Medicine.
2022 Feb 5;14(3):672. doi: 10.3390/nu14030672
MedlinePlus.Papaya.
Yeh Z.Is Apple Cider Vinegar Effective for Reducing Heartburn Symptoms Related to Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease?Arizona State University.
