The BS Cure for Heartburn - Baking Soda for Heartburn

Heartburn is a common annoyance. Those who suffer from chronic heartburn will tell you what a terrible affliction this could be. You can run to the drug store for something chewable or to the medicine cabinet for something awful-tasting or to the list of grandma’s favorite home remedies to cure heartburn. Persistent heartburn can be very painful and even if it is not fatal, you can end up in the emergency room if you are slow to act as soon as the symptoms appear. Maybe, because of the burning sensation that the heartburn creates in the chest region, it might have been named as such. It so happens that many times angina (which is a problem of the heart) is confused with heartburn and vice versa.

When eating too fast, eating too much, eating the wrong foods or just plain eating has resulted in that familiar burning sensation, you know it’s time for help. You can run to the drug store for something chewable or to the medicine cabinet for something awful-tasting or to the list of grandma’s favorite home remedies. The number of possible cures is almost as large as the number of possible causes. Of course, you could just relax and take a little baking soda for heartburn.

Why It Works

With all of the causes of heartburn, the thing that causes the burning is always the same. Acid from the stomach has squirted up through the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and attacked the esophagus. There are a lot of reasons that can happen. You can take the time to find out why it happens to you and then try to avoid it. Or, if the occurrence is infrequent, you can just deal with the common problem: acid. The opposite of acid is antacid or alkaline. That’s what baking soda is; which is why simply using a little baking soda for heartburn is so effective.

The close quarters shared by the esophagus, the stomach and the LES that connects them often leads to a little spillage causing a burning sensation. For the occasional, mild heartburn, nature has a few easy ways to help. Saliva has what it takes to calm the little bit of acid that escapes with a belch. A stick of chewing gum can increase the saliva to give your body that lovely boost. A glass of water keeps things flowing in the right direction - down and away from the esophagus and the coolness feels good.

Many people wonder how heartburn got its name, since heart and heartburn as diseases are not related in any way. Heartburn is rarely serious, but it can be extremely uncomfortable and even painful at times. If you suffer from chronic heartburn, the ongoing discomfort can be very difficult to cope with. You know you reached this stage when you experience heartburn almost constantly, after every meal or rather after anything you put into your mouth.

If you suffer from heartburn frequently, ask your doctor about possible causes. Sometimes medical conditions or medicines can cause the LES to weaken and allow acid reflux. If you are taking antihistamines, asthma medication, calcium channel blockers for high blood pressure, anxiety medication, nitrates, or prescription pain killers, let your doctor know when heartburn becomes a side effect. In the meantime, take a little baking soda for heartburn and have a more pleasant day.

Heartburn is a terribly painful affliction. It will relax only to let food come through the esophagus into the stomach for digestion. However, it does not have to be a rich meal to activate heartburn.