Treating Heartburn with Baking Soda

If you eat too fast, too much, or too many of the wrong foods you'll sometimes get that all-too familiar burning sensation in your chest and you know it's time for help. If you want, 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. Alternatively, you could just relax and take a little baking soda for heartburn.

Why It Works

With all of the causes of heartburn, what causes that burning is always the same – acid from the stomach squirting up through the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and attacking the esophagus. There are many reasons why that can happen and it's work taking the time to find out why it happens to you and then try to avoid it. If you suffer often you can just deal with the common problem: acid. The opposite of acid is antacid or alkaline and that's just what baking soda is, which is why simply using a little baking soda for heartburn is so effective.

Because the esophagus, the stomach and the LES that connects them co-exist in such cramped conditions there's often a little spillage causing that 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. You can help things along with a stick of chewing gum to increase the saliva and give your body the boost it needs. A glass of water also keeps things flowing in the right direction – down and away from the esophagus and, in any case, the coolness usually feels good.

Quite often the problem starts with dry food. When plain water just isn't enough for the job you need that something extra to counteract the acid instead of just washing it away. Baking soda, when used to treat heartburn, is a natural antacid that is gentle to your inflamed insides and has no side effects. You put it in cookies after all, so, when you drink a glass of water, add a spoonful of baking soda for heartburn for quicker, safe relief.

If you often suffer from heartburn, ask your doctor about possible causes. Some medical conditions or medicines can cause the LES to weaken and allow acid reflux. Let your doctor know when heartburn becomes a side effect of taking antihistamines, asthma medication, calcium channel blockers for high blood pressure, anxiety medication, nitrates, or prescription pain killers. In the meantime you can still keep taking a little baking soda to help things along.