Home Remedies for Heartburn

Are you looking for alternative ways to control your heartburn? By making a few lifestyle changes you can experience heartburn relief.

Lifestyle Changes to Help Control Your Heartburn

When most people think of heartburn remedies, they think of foods to avoid and foods to add to their diet. However, there are certain lifestyle changes that you can make to help reduce your symptoms and the frequency of heartburn flare-ups.

Avoid Wearing Clothing that Is Extremely Tight

Wearing tight pants can increase the frequency of your heartburn by putting pressure on the stomach as well as the lower esophageal sphincter. When this happens, acid from your stomach can be pushed into your esophagus, resulting in heartburn symptoms.

Consider Quitting Smoking and Reducing Alcohol Consumption

Smoking and consuming lots of alcoholic drinks can weaken the lower esophageal sphincter. When this happens, it may not close as tightly as it should, resulting in acid being sent from the stomach into the throat.

Do Not Lay down Directly after a Meal

To avoid heartburn flare-ups, wait at least three hours after eating before laying down. This means you shouldn’t eat anything directly before going to bed as it could result in heartburn while you sleep. A common symptom of nighttime heartburn is waking up with a slightly sore throat.

Eat Smaller Portions and Smaller Meals

If you experience heartburn occasionally, it’s not recommended to eat large meals or overeat during meals. This is because acid production in the stomach increases after eating. To help reduce your instances of heartburn, focus on eating smaller portions and smaller meals.

Sleep with Your Head Elevated

If you experience heartburn at night, consider sleeping with your head elevated. This method utilizes gravity to help keep stomach acid in your stomach. You can accomplish this by increasing the number of pillows you sleep on. If this method works well for you, you may want to consider getting an adjustable bed in the future that allows you to raise or lower the head of your bed with the touch of a button.

Take Steps to Reach a Healthy Weight

Being overweight can contribute to heartburn symptoms. This is because having excess fat in your stomach can put pressure on your abdomen, forcing acid from your stomach into your throat. For this reason, if you weigh more than the recommended weight for your height, consider losing a few pounds. A safe amount to lose is one to two pounds a week. Of course, you should always consult with your doctor before beginning any weight loss regimen.

Pepcid for Occasional Flare-ups

If you do experience the occasional unexpected flare-up, even after implementing a few lifestyle heartburn remedies, you may want to try medications like PEPCID^® Complete, PEPCID AC^® Original Strength or PEPCID AC^® Maximum Strength, in order to relieve heartburn symptoms. If you notice that your heartburn has gotten worse or you have trouble swallowing, talk to your family physician or pharmacist.