What are some home remedies for heartburn?

Home Remedies for Heartburn

Lifestyle modifications and antacids should be the first-line approach for managing heartburn at home, with dietary changes and elevation of the head of the bed being particularly effective remedies. 1

Effective Home Remedies for Heartburn

Dietary Modifications

• Limit daily fat intake to less than 45g to reduce heartburn symptoms 1
• Avoid common trigger foods and beverages:
  • Coffee and tea
  • Chocolate and mints
  • Citrus fruits and tomatoes
  • Spicy foods
  • Alcoholic beverages 1
• Avoid eating 2-3 hours before lying down 1

Positional Changes

• Elevate the head of the bed by 6-8 inches (using blocks or a wedge pillow, not just extra pillows) 1
• Sleep in the left lateral decubitus position (on your left side) 1
• Remain upright after meals for at least 2 hours 2

Weight Management

• Weight loss is recommended for overweight or obese individuals experiencing heartburn 1

Over-the-Counter Medications

• Antacids (e.g., calcium carbonate, aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide) provide rapid but short-term relief by neutralizing stomach acid 2
• H2-receptor antagonists (H2RAs) like famotidine (20mg) or ranitidine (75mg) can provide relief lasting up to 12 hours 3, 4, 5
  • These can be taken 30-60 minutes before meals or activities that might trigger heartburn 6

Step-Up Approach for Managing Heartburn at Home

1. Start with lifestyle modifications and antacids

   • Implement dietary changes and positional adjustments
   • Use antacids for immediate relief of occasional symptoms 2

2. If symptoms persist, add H2-receptor antagonists

   • Famotidine 10-20mg or ranitidine 75mg as needed up to twice daily 3, 6, 5
   • These provide longer relief than antacids alone 6

3. For frequent heartburn (occurring ≥2 days/week)

   • Consider over-the-counter proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) like omeprazole or lansoprazole 7, 8
   • Take PPIs 30-60 minutes before the first meal of the day 7

Important Considerations and Pitfalls

• Antacids provide only temporary relief and don't prevent subsequent heartburn episodes 8
• H2RAs may develop tolerance with repeated daily use, becoming less effective over time 8
• Avoid lying down immediately after meals, as this increases the risk of acid reflux 1
• Seek medical attention if:
  • Heartburn occurs more than twice weekly despite home remedies
  • Symptoms include difficulty swallowing, persistent nausea, or weight loss
  • Heartburn is accompanied by chest pain, especially with shortness of breath or arm/jaw pain
  • You have a family history of Barrett's esophagus or esophageal cancer 9

While lifestyle modifications can be difficult to maintain long-term, they remain an important foundation of heartburn management 2. For many individuals, heartburn significantly impacts quality of life, with symptoms occurring on average 5.5 days per week and affecting daily activities in 65% of patients 2, 10. Therefore, a structured approach using both lifestyle changes and appropriate over-the-counter medications offers the best chance for effective symptom control.