Does baking soda help heartburn?
Sodium bicarbonate, also known as baking soda, can relieve heartburn due to acid reflux into the esophagus.
Dose baking soda help heartburn?
Why Baking Soda Can Help Relieve Heartburn?
Hear the answers to these questions from our doctors below:
What are the symptoms of gastric acid reflux to the esophagus or heartburn?
The return of gastric juice to the esophagus is called gastric reflux into the esophagus or GERD.
Gastric juice refers to the contents and all gastric secretions, including gastric acid.
Reflux causes soreness and damage to the end of the esophagus and in the long run may lead to cancerous changes in this tissue.
What are the symptoms of gastric reflux?
- Heartburn
- Chest burning sensation
- Pain in the upper abdomen or chest pain
- nausea
- Vomit
- Sputum behind the throat
- Difficulty swallowing
- Breathing problems
- Bad taste in the mouth
When one or more of the above symptoms persist for a week or more, you are more likely to have GERD, which, if left unchecked, the symptoms will become more severe and end-esophageal injuries will increase.
You should see a doctor before any procedure.
Taking some OTC medications may alleviate your symptoms, but the principle of treatment will be determined by prescribing certain drugs by the doctor and continuing their use in a certain period of time.
Baking soda is a popular ingredient among the public to control and alleviate GERD symptoms that can relieve digestive problems such as heartburn, indigestion and vomiting following gastroesophageal reflux disease.
How does baking soda work to relieve heartburn?
Sodium bicarbonate in baking soda is a major factor in this effectiveness.
Sodium bicarbonate is also naturally secreted by the pancreas in the body.
Sodium bicarbonate is a soluble antacid that can rapidly neutralize the acidic environment and stomach acid.
The important point is that too much reduction of stomach acid can cause a compensatory rebound reaction in overproduction of gastric acid.
Baking soda can greatly mimic the same action of sodium bicarbonate secreted by the pancreas.
It is interesting to know that a type of OTC product is available in pharmacies called Alia Seltzer and it contains sodium bicarbonate and it is supplied to control heartburn.
How to use baking soda to control heartburn?
How to use products containing baking soda should be determined by your doctor according to your age and background.
Children, meaning people up to the age of thirteen:
They should use sodium bicarbonate as directed by their doctor.
And teens and adults can do the following:
Pour half a teaspoon of baking soda into a glass containing four ounces of water and drink. You can repeat the same amount two hours later.
Never consume more than three and a half teaspoons of baking soda daily.
People over the age of 60 should never use more than one and a half teaspoons of BS daily.
If for your discomfort and heartburn, the diagnosis is GERD, you are allowed to use bs.
Bs should not be used on an empty stomach.
You may develop diarrhea if you swallow the bs solution in water quickly.
What do bs products look like?
- powder
- Capsules
- Tablet
- Medicinal granules
- Oral solutions
BS pharmaceutical forms are on the market.
Sometimes special flavors are used in these products to make them taste good.
The most common OTC drug containing bs is Alia Seltzer.
Sodium bicarbonate is sometimes present with some types of omeprazole, which the brand name of this compound is Zegerid.
And it can quickly relieve the symptoms of heartburn.
What are the side effects of using BS?
- Accumulation of gas in the abdomen
- Diarrhea
Chronic and prolonged use of bs can lead to what problems?
Chronic and prolonged use can be associated with the following problems:
- Decreased blood potassium or hypokalemia
- Decreased blood chlorine or hypochloremia
- Hypernatremia or increased blood sodium levels
- Kidney problems
- Worsening of heart failure
- Muscle weakness
- Muscle cramps
- Increased production and rebound of gastric acid
Consumption of large amounts of baking soda or chronic consumption, increases the risk of serious complications.
When should we see a doctor?
See your doctor if you are experiencing the following symptoms after long-term use of bs:
- Frequent urination
- Difficulty breathing
- Bloody stools or black tarry stools
- Blood in the urine
- Vomiting (containing coffee grounds)
- Swelling of the hands and feet
- Decreased appetite
- weight loss
Baking soda is prohibited in pregnant women and children under six years of age.