Heartburn - Are Antacids Or Baking Soda The Solution?

You probably know of 'Grandma's Remedy' of a little baking soda in a glass of water to soothe the burning sensation of heartburn or acid reflux. But before you try this, you need to know some things about using baking soda or any antacid as a heartburn remedy.

What Is Heartburn and How Can Baking Soda Help?

Some people suffer heartburn after eating too quickly or eating particular foods. Heartburn arises from stomach acid squirting up into your esophagus (the tube that leads down from your mouth to your stomach). This ‘acid reflux’ irritates the lining of the esophagus and creates pain. As the pain was felt in the chest, it was referred to as heartburn although it has nothing to do with the heart. It is important, however, to find the causes of the acid reflux and eliminate the symptoms of heartburn as they can often mask the more serious symptoms of heart disease.

You often only need to sip a little water for mild heartburn to dilute the acid and cool the burning sensation. Saliva produced in the mouth can also help and being naturally alkaline, can neutralize the acid. Just chew a stick of gum to get the saliva flowing.

However, baking soda for heartburn is such an effective remedy because it too is alkaline and will help to neutralize the acid. Just one teaspoon in a glass of water, sipped slowly, should bring adequate relief. The benefits of baking soda over antacids, is that you can buy it from any food store, it is cheap and it does not require a prescription. And if you bake cookies, then you have a ready supply already!

Why Baking Soda and Antacids Should Not Be Over-Used

If you take too much baking soda, or any antacid medication, then you start to neutralize the acid in the stomach. The stomach then compensates by producing more acid, leading to you taking more baking soda or antacid. This can exhaust the stomach cells and so the levels of stomach acid can drop over time. You might think this is a good thing for your heartburn, but reduced levels of stomach acid can impair digestion to such an extent that food is not properly broken down. Allergies and inflammation in various areas of the body can be the result.

You also do not want the excess sodium, from baking soda or some antacids, if you suffer from high blood pressure. If you have to use over-the-counter antacids, then make sure that they do not contain aluminum salts, as aluminum has been implicated in Alzheimer’s disease. Also, be aware that antacids containing calcium and magnesium can cause mineral imbalances in the body if used long-term. You should also note that some medical conditions can weaken the esophageal sphincter and cause acid reflux, as can some medicines. Consult your doctor if you have frequent heartburn or if you think that the following medications may be a side-effect: prescription pain killers, calcium channel blockers for high blood pressure, antihistamines, asthma medication, or nitrates.

Baking soda, like any antacid medication, is not a long term solution to your heartburn. Your priority should be to find out the causes of heartburn. Often the causes are the opposite to those you might expect for acid reflux. You also need to look for permanent solutions. Some of these may surprise you. For your long term health, you need to find out a cure for your heartburn.

Article Source: http://www.free-article-directory.net

Author Natalie Beech is a health writer who writes informatively about a variety of health topics, including heartburn. If you want to find out the surprising facts for the relief of heartburn and acid reflux, and that can contribute to your longterm health, then go to The Heartburn Relief Website
Click here to get your own unique version of this article.