The best remedies for heartburn

You don’t need to be a doctor to know how to relieve the temporary discomfort of heartburn.

Occasional heartburn is manageable and preventable, but persistent attacks offer a clue that something else is going on.

There are a number of heartburn triggers including being overweight, overeating, high acid food, stress and alcohol. Heartburn can even be triggered by some prescription medications.

• Whether looking into medicine or a lifestyle change, there are many ways to get relief.

Here are some simple solutions and natural remedies you can introduce into your daily routine.

• Drink 1 cup of water or alkaline vegetable juice (carrot, cucumber, beetroot and radish).
• Chew gum to increase saliva flow and neutralize acid.
• Drink plenty of tea. Among some of the most effective herbs and plants are ginger, mint, anise, cinnamon, cardamom and marshmallow root.
• Eat a banana to either relieve or prevent symptoms.
• Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda, and a few drops of lemon juice in a glass of water; drink it immediately before it fizzes out.
• Dilute 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in ¼ cup of water; drink it 30 minutes after your meal to prevent an attack.
• Mix 1 oz of aloe gel with 2 oz of water.
• Eat oats (oatmeal) for breakfast.
• Have a (fat-free) yogurt a day.

• Avoid fatty or acidic foods.
• Reduce or stop your use of tobacco and alcohol.
• Eat lighter meals but more frequently throughout the day.
• Lose weight.
• Avoid eating at least three hours before bedtime.
• Stack your pillows, or place a book under the head of your mattress to create an inclination while you sleep.
• Lie on your left side to provide stomach support and help eliminate acid.
• Replace your table salt (acid) with sea salt (alkaline).
• Eat foods rich in glutamine: eggs, milk, fish and spinach.

If natural remedies are not doing the trick, pharmaceuticals can offer temporary but effective relief.

• There’s a wide selection of antacids and acid blockers available on the market, so don’t hesitate to ask your pharmacist for recommendations.

You should be evaluated by a physician if you experience persistent discomfort, especially lasting more than a week.

• Symptoms such as abdominal pain, vocal inflammation (raspy voice), changes in appetite, difficulty swallowing and weight loss may overlap with chronic heartburn.
• If you’ve modified your habits, used known remedies but still suffer from stomach irritation, it’s time to make an appointment and get treatment.