Can I Drink Baking Soda for Heartburn?

Acid reflux disease is characterized by Heartburn, a condition that gives you a painful sensation around your chest and a foul taste in your mouth. People with this issue may use a variety of hacks and techniques or even prescription drugs to treat it. Heartburn has typically been treated with some OTC(over-the-counter) and other prescribed medications that have an ingredient of sodium bicarbonate. Meanwhile, some people also use baking soda for heartburn relief. Yes, just the one you're likely to find right now in your kitchen cupboard. But will the home remedies work? We will look at the possible effects of baking soda on Heartburn and the risks.

What is Heartburn?

Heartburn is most frequently a sign of acid reflux, which happens when stomach acid rises into the esophagus and irritates the lining of the food pipe. There are other reasons for Heartburn, as was previously mentioned. Heartburn that occurs frequently is typically an indication of gastroesophageal reflux illness (GERD). Most frequently, lifestyle choices like lying down after a large meal or consuming junk food cause this.

What are the symptoms of Heartburn?

Heartburn or acid reflux can be triggered or made worse by various factors, leading to various symptoms. Meals like coffee and spicy foods and lifestyle choices like smoking and inactivity can act as triggers. Heartburn is a symptom of acid reflux in and of itself, although it is frequently accompanied by other symptoms, such as:

1. A chest pain that is scorching A painful burning sensation occurs in the chest, generally behind the breast bone, and is caused by irritation of the esophageal tissues.
2.  Difficulty swallowing, Sometimes referred to as dysphagia can happen if the food does not move naturally from the mouth via the esophagus to the stomach. This might occasionally seem like a choking or burning sensation in the chest.
3. Mouthfeel with a sour or bitter taste You may occasionally get a bad taste in your mouth due to the leakage of gastric contents.
4. Persistent coughing Among the most typical symptoms accompanying Heartburn is a chronic cough.
5. Painful throat Regurgitation and adenoid irritation brought on by acid reflux can lead to sore throats.

What is the connection between Heartburn and Baking Soda?

Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is an acidic chemical substance. It is available as a tablet, capsule, solution, or powder. Baking soda can be utilized to treat Heartburn due to its alkaline qualities. It functions by neutralizing excess stomach acid. It is an antacid, which is a type of medicine.

Why do we need to use baking soda for Heartburn?

Baking soda is a typical home treatment for acid reflux (a.k.a. sodium bicarbonate). By neutralizing stomach acid, baking soda might temporarily relieve some indigestion and heartburn symptoms. Alka-Seltzer and other well-known OTC are effective and safe to use baking soda as their active ingredient.

How to Treat Heartburn with Baking Soda?

Baking soda has an alkaline pH that helps to neutralize gastric acidity. To use baking soda for Heartburn, you can try the following:

1. Mix 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water.
2. Drink the mixture to neutralize the acid in your stomach.

You can try this procedure every 4 hours or as instructed by a healthcare expert, but if it doesn't work after 3 or 4 attempts, you should try another treatment strategy.  If you utilize this strategy consistently for two weeks and still experience symptoms, it may indicate a larger issue that needs to be addressed. If you don't like the flavor of baking soda or find it difficult to calculate the amount of baking soda, try an over-the-counter (OTC) prescription that contains sodium bicarbonate and flavorings that make the drink more appealing.

What is Baking soda's effectiveness for Heartburn?

If you take it as directed, using baking soda for Heartburn, you might get instant relief. Taking a certain dosage at a certain time every day is beneficial. To prevent complications and medical issues, do not take sodium bicarbonate more frequently or for a longer period than recommended. According to studies, antacids like sodium bicarbonate, which can temporarily neutralize esophageal acid, have no discernible effect on gastric pH or the frequency of heartburn episodes. Antacids are not advised for treating persistent Heartburn because of this. Antacids are inferior to proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) at controlling stomach acid and treating persistent Heartburn because they do not provide a prolonged suppression of gastric acid production.

What are the risks of using baking soda to treat Heartburn?

Baking soda side effects may include:

• Gas.
• Nausea.
• Diarrhea.
• Stomach discomfort.

Using baking soda excessively is the major cause of baking soda intoxication. Long-term and excessive baking soda use does increase your chance of:

1. Hypokalemia is a potassium shortage in the blood.
2. Hypochloremia is a lack of chloride in the blood.
3. Hypernatremia is defined as an increase in sodium levels.
4. The kidney condition is deteriorating.
5. Cardiac arrest is getting worse.
6. Muscular weakness and cramping.
7. Stomach acid production has increased.
8. People who consume excessive amounts of alcohol are at higher risk of significant complications. Sodium that contains in baking will lead to dehydration and also intensify other symptoms.  

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Take away - 

Baking soda is a key ingredient in many regularly prescribed and over-the-counter antacids that are popular due to its quick onset of relief for moderate to mild bouts of Heartburn and convenience of use. So, yes, you can take baking soda for Heartburn to neutralize the excess stomach acid. Baking soda not only serves as an excellent cleaning and leavening agent but also an effective heartburn remedy. Baking soda and water provide immediate relief by neutralizing gastric acid. It is not, however, suggested as a long-term treatment, particularly for persons on a low-sodium diet. If you have chronic Heartburn that affects your everyday life, consult your doctor, who will assist you in determining the best possible treatment for you. Get top quality medical care in a warm and caring environment at Narayana Hospital Ahmedabad, the leading hub for innovative healthcare solutions. Find out why it's transforming healthcare today!