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Heartburn

I personally stay away from the stomach acid pump inhibiters due to how they work and some of the side effects I've been hearing about. (Never took them anyway).
I prefer the natural approach. A teaspoon of potassium bicarbonate in lukewarm water works wonders. Find it at DIY beer brewing places. It's used to adjust PH levels in the brew while not affecting the taste, so, you know it's edible.
 

TexLaw

Fussy Evil Genius
Today's malady? Unsure of causal factors. But it has been on and off for hours and hours.

No telling. Here's hoping it faded soon after you posted. If so, rock 'n' roll. If not, you probably aren't talking about your frendly, neighborhood heartburn.

Which leads back to seeing a physician. I hate to be another harping on it, but this really is the deal, even if it doesn't apply to OP's situation. Chronic "heartburn" could be a symptom of any number of things, and some of them are big problems if not treated or otherwise addressed.
 

DoctorShavegood

"A Boy Named Sue"
The reason you have heartburn is because your stomich acids are not strong enough to break down the foods in your stomach. Add some acid like apple cider vinegar. I know it seems like the opposite but give it a try and youll be amazed. It works for me every time.
 
I was bothered with it years ago until I was diagnosed with sleep apnea. Got my CPAP going and it's not been an issue since. There are times I'll bet a bit after a meal, but it goes away on its own within an hour.

Same here. Can't live without the CPAP machine now, that very uncomfortable but I'm getting used to it. Someone suggested me to get a pillow like this and sleep on the side. This should help both with apnea, stomach and gall bladder issues. As for the heartburn, it may be caused by black coffee or fried food, just as webmd says.
 
Same here. Can't live without the CPAP machine now, that very uncomfortable but I'm getting used to it. Someone suggested me to get a pillow like this and sleep on the side. This should help both with apnea, stomach and gall bladder issues. As for the heartburn, it may be caused by black coffee or fried food, just as webmd says.
I have a contour memory foam pillow and primarily side sleeper.
 
Oy!

So far I have tried Tums, baking soda & water, and peppermint Life Savers.

What's your go to over the counter or homemade fix?

Mac

Chamomile and anise tea. Avoid triggers.

Chronic heartburn is not something you should cover up with antacids, it could be a symptom of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth or some other serious problem.

I personally stay away from the stomach acid pump inhibiters due to how they work and some of the side effects I've been hearing about. (Never took them anyway).
I prefer the natural approach. A teaspoon of potassium bicarbonate in lukewarm water works wonders. Find it at DIY beer brewing places. It's used to adjust PH levels in the brew while not affecting the taste, so, you know it's edible.

Good idea. Omeprazole, combined with a course of antibiotics, gave me small intestinal bacterial overgrowth seven years ago and I've not been the same since. Now I have chronic slow transit in my intestines, and sometimes reflux at night. I also developed exercise asthma, probably due to the reflux.

Omeprazole can also cause pneumonia.


A low FODMAPS, no sugar, high fat diet, combined with herbal antibiotics helps some. So does fasting and taking herbs to decrease transit times, such as Iberogast, a German herbal medicine. Probiotics like Align are also beneficial.
 
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I have grown up with stomach issues. Heart burn, irritable, pains, cramps. When I was about 24 I woke up in major pain and looked pregnant. A trip to a emergency clinic and they sent me to a specialist that day.

I tested positive for H-pylory. I went on the Prev pac and it worked for about 8 months. I moved again and self medicated with Omeprazole. Did that for 4 years or so. Went to a surgeon finally, multiple GI Scopes and even a second specialist at a different hospital. All total I too 4 Omeprazole a day for about 12 or so years.

One day my wife looked at me and said I had to get off it. I took three chewy probiotics that morning and felt great. I have been doing that for 2 years. I no longer get that heavy blah feeling in my gut. I can't miss a day in the probiotics. Minor minor minor flare ups.

I use the Shiff brand probiotics that can be had at Costco or WalMart. I would suggest ya try them as it won't hurt ya to take. Probiotic.

KM
 
The reason you have heartburn is because your stomich acids are not strong enough to break down the foods in your stomach. Add some acid like apple cider vinegar. I know it seems like the opposite but give it a try and youll be amazed. It works for me every time.

Bitters can be useful too. You can buy Underburg at many liquor stores, or even order it off Amazon, since it isn't considered an alcoholic product, I guess (you really can't get drunk off it, it's more an herbal medicine that just happens to have alcohol). There's also many other non-alcohol bitters out there, as well.
 
I used to have heartburn all the time. What finally helped me get it under control was to learn what foods triggered it (e.g., tomatoes and other high-acid foods) and avoid those, and to start taking probiotics on a daily basis. I seldom have any digestion problems now.
 

FarmerTan

"Self appointed king of Arkoland"
I used to have heartburn all the time. What finally helped me get it under control was to learn what foods triggered it (e.g., tomatoes and other high-acid foods) and avoid those, and to start taking probiotics on a daily basis. I seldom have any digestion problems now.
Probiotics really help you? They should, not enough of us remember to take care of our gut health.

My biggest challenge as I've aged is the physiological changes like hiatal hernia symptoms, which are basically caused by my gluttony when I really like a meal.

Learning to limit portion size is difficult, so is slowing down my eating by counting my "chews", but it's helped me feel much better.
 

FarmerTan

"Self appointed king of Arkoland"
The best one for me was Prilosec, one a day lasts 24 hrs.
Have no need for them now after losing weight and changing my diet.

Sent from my SM-T387V using Tapatalk
I too have noticed a huge difference since I lost just a little bit of weight. Just over 10 lbs has made a world of difference. On a related note, I sure miss @Macfrommichigan
 

FarmerTan

"Self appointed king of Arkoland"
What happened to macfrommichigan? I hope he's alright.

Sent from my SM-T387V using Tapatalk
Me too. I've reached out several times via the email here for well over a year I think. No replies. He fell off the map. He was real good at conversating.
 
Oy!

So far I have tried Tums, baking soda & water, and peppermint Life Savers.

What's your go to over the counter or homemade fix?

Mac
I cut out sugar almost completely, and high fructose corn syrup absolutely. No more store cookies or ice cream. My heartburn went right away. I still take a couple of antacid tablets, not the expensive Rx kind, a couple of times a day -- but my heartburn used to bother me even with that.

The old nostrum was baking soda and water, and that does work. But it has a lot of salt in it.

Taking apple cider vinegar and water seemed to help my digestion generally, not so much the heartburn.
 
Years ago I had a problem with citrusy stuff. It turned out I had a Hiatal hernia.
I now dont have a problem with citrus anymore but...
I now have other things that cause heartburn but that was what caused problems with citrus.. I just wanted to mention that for anyone else that may have problems with citrus stuff.
 
I used to suffer miserably from heartburn. It turns out my body doesn't like wheat (gluten). What a different life I lead now. If you can't seem to shake your heartburn, I highly suggest going wheat free for three or four days to see how it treats you.
 
This is the alternative corner. A lot of stomach problems are caused by a low acid level. Which gives problems digesting. Google apple cider vinegar and follow the directions from there. Never ever take it pure.

Be aware that peppermint will relax the stomach sphincter meaning even more coming in the oesophagus and making you stink. Try ginger treats instead.

And spicy alcohol (red wine) and fat do not help.

Regular Proton pump inhibitors do help in a lot of cases so your md can set you up. Talking with an md with problems like these is smart anyhow.

Allmost forgot how do you know you have low stomach acid.....

Dissolve a tea spoon of baking soda and drink
Very fast buuiuuiuuurp you have plenty
Almost nothing or late you have low acid.
Red beets also discolor your stool more when you have low acid
 
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