Does Water Help Heartburn? How to Find Relief.

What is Heartburn?

Heartburn is a common digestive condition that affects millions of people around the world. It is a burning sensation in the chest that is caused by acid reflux, which occurs when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus. Heartburn can be uncomfortable, and if it occurs frequently, it can lead to some serious complications. Whether you indulged in some overly spicy chili, or overdid it on those late-night leftovers, these quick heartburn remedies may help soothe your fiery stomach and help you find relief.

Symptoms of Heartburn

The main symptom of heartburn is a burning sensation in the chest, which can sometimes be accompanied by a sour or bitter taste in the mouth. Other symptoms may include bloating, burping, and a feeling of fullness in the stomach.

First Step: Get Comfortable

The first thing you'll want to do when you're awakened by heartburn pain is to stand up. This helps keep the acid at bay while you go and get a full glass of cool water. You should also avoid laying down for at least two hours after eating, which means you want to be finished eating at least two hours before going to sleep. Those late-night snacks can keep your stomach busy all night and prevent you from easing into a deep, restful sleep. You may also find that sleeping on your left side or sleeping at a somewhat upright angle can keep acid down where it belongs. Wearing loose comfortable clothing will also help your symptoms stay less aggravated.

Does Water Help Heartburn?

Drinking water can help to alleviate heartburn symptoms in a few different ways. First, water can help to dilute stomach acid and make it less irritating to the esophagus. This can reduce the burning sensation in the chest that is characteristic of heartburn.

In addition, drinking water can help to flush stomach acid back down into the stomach, where it belongs. When stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, it can cause inflammation and irritation, which can lead to heartburn symptoms. Drinking water can help to wash the acid back down into the stomach, where it can be neutralized by the body's natural digestive processes.

Finally, staying hydrated with water can help to promote healthy digestion overall. When the body is dehydrated, it can lead to a buildup of acid in the stomach, which can increase the risk of heartburn. By drinking plenty of water throughout the day, you can help to keep your digestive system functioning properly and reduce your risk of heartburn and other digestive problems.

For added relief, you could try drinking a whole glass of filtered water, and following it with a mixture of 1 tablespoon of baking soda, then an additional half glass of water. Be careful though, if you have high blood pressure or are pregnant, this can cause water retention or increase your blood pressure.

So, does water help heartburn? Absolutely! However, not all beverages are created equal when it comes to heartburn relief.

Does My Water Need to Be Filtered?

It's important to note that not all water will be very helpful when it comes to heartburn relief. Tap water may contain impurities that can aggravate heartburn symptoms.

Therefore, it's recommended to drink filtered or purified water. Filtered water can help to remove impurities and minerals that can contribute to heartburn symptoms.

What Can I Drink To Relieve Heartburn?

Water is the best beverage to drink for heartburn, but if gets too boring, here’s a few other beverages that are safe and may even help out a bit:

• Coconut water
• Aloe vera juice
• Low-fat milk

Which Drinks to Avoid

Certain beverages can make heartburn symptoms worse. These include:

• Soda and other carbonated beverages
• Coffee, Tea, and other caffeinated beverages
• Alcohol
• Citrus juices

Foods that Help Heartburn

• Adding ginger root to boiling water can relieve nausea.
• Eating a banana each day works as an antacid to soothe heartburn.
• If you're already stricken with indigestion, eating pineapple or papaya (or drinking the juice) can help settle your stomach naturally.
• Some people also claim that eating a teaspoon of mustard (yuck!) can work immediately.
• Lastly, and this is going to sound strange, but downing a teaspoon of vinegar can help soothe heartburn immediately! Why give your stomach MORE acid when it already seems to have enough, you ask? Sometimes, heartburn is caused as a result of too little acid, and vinegar helps quell indigestion by giving your stomach a little extra "juice" (no pun intended!) to do its job!

Avoid Foods That Trigger Heartburn

Stay away from foods that trigger heartburn symptoms including:

• Garlic, onion, and shallots
• Chocolate (sorry!)
• Citrus fruits
• Tomatoes, and tomato-based products
• Spicy or fatty foods

You should also be sure to avoid eating large, rich meals in one sitting. Eating smaller, more frequent meals can help ease the burden on your digestive system and lessen heartburn symptoms.

How NOT To Soothe Heartburn

Tempting as it may be, you should also avoid using mints or milk to cool and soothe your symptoms. Milk might feel nice and cool going down, but it actually contains fats and proteins that cause your stomach to secrete more acid and make your heartburn worse. Mints though cool and refreshing will relax the small valve between your esophagus and stomach, which keeps acid at bay. When this valve is relaxed, more acid can seep up and aggravate heartburn symptoms.

Seek Professional Medical Help

When in doubt, it’s always best to contact your doctor for an official diagnosis and treatment plan, especially if symptoms have become aggressive or extreme.

In the meantime, we at APEC will support you with expert water purification systems, to provide you clean drinking water for heartburn, and to keep you and your home at optimal health and function.