How to take baking soda for heartburn

The heartburn is a very common digestive discomfort: a 30% of Spaniards suffer from it at least once a week, according to the Spanish Digestive System Foundation (FEAD).

It’s a feeling of burning up the esophagus (the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach) until it reaches the throat. It occurs when part of the gastric acids that act in digestion flow upwards and pass to the esophagus, leading to irritation of this area.

Some people wonder cHow to take baking soda for heartburn. In this article we will tell you about it, taking into account that this remedy should only be used when it comes to occasional heartburn. When it is something specific, it is usually due to having eaten too much or too fastto some food (chocolate, citrus, or foods that are too fatty or spicy) or drinks (caffeinated or carbonated), at stress or to unhealthy habits such as the consumption of alcohol or tobacco.

Before resorting to home tricks, remember that when heartburn occurs more than two days a week is considered a symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)a chronic disease suffered by 16% of the Spanish and that it increases the risk of Barrett’s esophagus, which is a precursor to esophageal cancer. If you have any doubts, consult your doctor.

Also, before taking sodium bicarbonate against heartburn, you should know that it is not a harmless substance that you can take lightly. Its use must be punctual because taking an excess of bicarbonate can alter the acid-base balance of the stomach and even cause metabolic alkalosis (too much bicarbonate in the blood), which constitutes a medical emergency. Symptoms of a sodium bicarbonate overdose include: constipation, seizures and diarrhea.

In this video we leave you a trick to check the acidity of your stomach at home:

What is bicarbonate and how does it work on heartburn?

In pharmacies you can find many heartburn medicationsbut there is one popular remedy that you may already have at home: the baking soda (also called baking soda or sodium carbonate).

Is a alkaline substance that manages to control the pH and reduce acidity. That is why it can quickly soothe an upset stomach. In fact, it has been used traditionally to treat digestive problems such as heartburn or acid indigestion and is the main component of some antacid medications.

How to take baking soda for heartburn

Baking soda can be a good treatment for immediate relief of occasional heartburn. In adults, it is usually recommended half a teaspoon dissolved in a glass of water (about 120 ml), about two or three times a day.

On the other hand, it is important avoid baking soda when you have eaten a large meal and the belly is too full, as it has been seen that in some cases it can cause acute gastric dilatation and gastric rupture or perforation, a medical emergency that if not treated immediately can be fatal. In addition, It is not recommended to take it within 2 hours after to have taken some medicinebecause by reducing stomach acid it could decrease the rate at which the body absorbs the medicine and alter its function.

Baking soda precautions and contraindications

bicarbonate can have some side effects (especially if taken too quickly), such as gas, nausea, diarrhea, or stomach pain.

It should not be taken for too long (it is advisable not to exceed two weeks in any case) not in much quantity, as it may increase the risk of hypokalemia (lack of potassium in the blood), hypochloremia (lack of chloride in the blood), hypernatremia (excess sodium), worsening of kidney disease or heart failure, muscle weakness, cramps or increased production of stomach acid. These risks are higher in people who drink a lot of alcohol.

Baking soda is only for immediate relief of occasional heartburn or indigestion, but you should not take it for the treatment of GERD. If you have heartburn more than twice a week or it lasts a long time, you should see your doctor. You should also not take it if you are following a low sodium dietas it could increase your sodium levels.