Heartburn can be treated with medications like proton pump inhibitors, H2 blockers, and antacids. Home remedies like buttermilk, almonds, and sleeping with an elevated head can also help. Chronic heartburn may require a doctor’s visit for diagnosis and stronger medication. Chest pain can be mistaken for heartburn and should be checked by a doctor if accompanied by other symptoms.
You can usually stop heartburn by taking medications designed to treat it. Proton pump inhibitors and H2 blockers are made to prevent heartburn, and antacids can treat it once it starts. Proton pump inhibitors prevent the stomach from releasing acid, and H2 blockers prevent the body from producing histamine2, which sends acid-producing signals to the stomach. Antacids stop heartburn by increasing the pH level in the stomach, thus making it less acidic. If you suffer from chronic heartburn, a combination medication containing both an antacid and an H2 blocker might be a helpful option.
Some people use home remedies to stop heartburn and acid reflux instead of or in addition to medications. Drinking buttermilk and eating almonds, crackers and apples can help reduce and prevent excess stomach acid. Sleeping with your head elevated, drinking lots of water between meals, and making an effort not to lie down right after each meal could also prevent extreme heartburn from occurring. If you’re looking for instant relief to stop heartburn and don’t have any antacids on hand, mixing a half cup of water with 1/2 teaspoon (2.4 mL) of baking soda might provide temporary relief.
If over-the-counter medications and home remedies seem to have little or no effect on your heartburn, you may need to see a doctor. People with chronic drug-resistant heartburn are often diagnosed with GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease. Diagnosing GERD usually involves several tests, including an endoscopic examination to see the degree of acid damage the stomach has sustained. Doctors may prescribe stronger acid blocking medications for GERD patients and suggest lifestyle changes. Things like losing weight, avoiding spicy and fatty foods, and quitting smoking could have a substantial effect on your GERD symptoms.
Heartburn and chest pain are often linked because the symptoms of each are felt in the chest. Extreme heartburn can occasionally be mistaken for a heart attack. If your heartburn is accompanied by heart attack symptoms such as nausea, fatigue, pain in your arms, sweating, shortness of breath, dizziness, or a shooting pain in the center of your chest, you should see a doctor right away. Gallbladder attacks and muscle spasms in the abdominal area also typically cause chest pain that could be mistaken for heartburn. Problems like these could get worse quickly if left untreated; seeing a doctor after the first occurrence of unexplained chest pain could save your life.
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