A gastroenterologist told about simple home remedies for heartburn

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Heartburn in the stomach and chest, sour belching, coughing: one in five Germans experiences heartburn. Treatment options are as diverse as the causes. What can help with heartburn and when to see a doctor.

“When you have heartburn, stomach acid flows back up into the esophagus. Sufferers experience burning and pain in the stomach, chest, and throat,” says a gastroenterologist.

If you occasionally experience heartburn after a large meal, you have nothing to worry about. People with regular or severe burning sensations should consult a doctor about their symptoms. Complications such as dental damage, inflammation of the esophagus, or esophageal cancer are rare. However, with proper treatment, they can often be prevented.

There are many different causes of heartburn. Most often, the sufferer has something called gastroesophageal reflux. Doctors call this when the sphincter between the stomach and esophagus stops functioning properly. If the sufferer's quality of life is limited by heartburn or the esophagus is damaged, it is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Heartburn: Treatment

“Patients who want to get rid of heartburn should first change their lifestyle. Overweight people should aim for a normal weight. A balanced diet that is low in fat and high in fiber helps.”

Sufferers should also exercise regularly, including walking and endurance sports such as jogging, swimming or cycling. Sufferers should avoid alcohol and cigarettes.

Many heartburn patients have trouble sleeping because stomach acid flows back up into the esophagus more easily when they are lying down. There are a few tips that promise quick relief. Sufferers should not eat anything for a few hours before going to bed.

“Elevating the head of the bed or using a thicker pillow can reduce acid reflux from the stomach. Some patients find it helpful to sleep on their left side. In this case, the stomach closes at the top.”

Nutrition

Patients often ask what to eat for heartburn. It usually takes some time and patience before they learn which foods cause heartburn and which ones relieve symptoms.

“It usually helps if patients avoid foods that cause acid.”

These include:

• Spicy foods, such as chili peppers or mustard.
• Onions and garlic
• Heavy salty foods
• Fatty foods, fried foods
• Baked foods, chocolate, and sugary desserts
• Caffeinated coffee and tea
• Peppermint, in the form of culinary herbs, tea, or lozenges
• Citrus fruits, such as lemons or grapefruits.
• Dairy products, such as yogurt.
• Alcohol, such as wine and beer.
• Carbon dioxide in mineral water or sodas.

Sufferers can often prevent heartburn by eating alkaline foods.

Experts recommend the following foods:

• fruits, such as bananas, apples, and pears.
• potatoes.
• brown rice.
• leafy vegetables.
• celery.
• almonds, especially when chewed for a long time.
• fennel
• ginger.

Home remedies

If symptoms are mild, patients can try herbal remedies. For example, drinking more water helps.

“The best options for heartburn are still water or herbal teas made from chamomile, fennel, or anise. Sage, cardamom, and ginger have calming and anti-inflammatory effects.”

Healing clay can also help relieve heartburn. The substance comes from a rock and contains minerals such as potassium, magnesium, and calcium. Mix two teaspoons of the powder with a glass of water and drink the liquid before meals.

Another popular home remedy is sodium bicarbonate (baking soda).

“If you suffer from heartburn, dissolve a teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water. The resulting alkaline water neutralizes stomach acid.”

But you should only use this trick occasionally. Otherwise, in the long run, they will absorb too much baking soda. This can lead to high blood pressure.