Heartburn - Are Antacids Or Baking Soda The Solution?

Baking soda from your kitchen cupboard in a glass of water could be just what you need to calm the burning sensation of heartburn or acid reflux. But wait! There are things that you must know about using baking soda or any antacid as a heartburn remedy.

How Heartburn Happens and What Baking Soda Does

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.

Baking soda for heartburn is such an effective remedy because it is alkaline and neutralizes the stomach acid in the esophagus. One teaspoon in a glass of water, sipped slowly until the discomfort subsides, should be adequate to bring relief. The great thing about baking soda, compared to over-the-counter antacids, is that it is cheap, readily available and you do not need a prescription. And you can use it for baking cookies!

Why Baking Soda and Antacids Should Not Be Over-Used

However, if you take too much baking soda, as with any antacid medication, then you will neutralize the acid in the stomach itself. This can result in the stomach producing more acid to compensate. You then end up taking more baking soda or antacid. With this vicious cycle, the stomach cells can become exhausted with the over-production of acid and so the levels of stomach acid can decline over time. This may at first appear to be a good thing, for your heartburn perhaps. But the levels of stomach acid can be reduced to such a degree that digestion is impaired and food not properly broken down. This in turn can lead to allergies and inflammation in other parts of the body.

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.

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