Acid reflux (heartburn) relief

Acid reflux can be treated with medications that work in different ways and provide either immediate or long-term relief. They can also be combined to maximize their effectiveness.

Antacids, such as Rolaids, neutralize excess acidity and provide immediate and short-term relief for a few hours. They also come in flavors such as peppermint that take away any unpleasant taste and any associated bad breath. Antacids based on alginate, such as Gaviscon, can have a similar effect, but they also form a protective coating in the stomach, which can relieve symptoms for several hours.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) work by shutting down the acid pump of the stomach. They are more effective than antacids in terms of duration of action. There are versions which are now available to buy without a prescription such as esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid), and omeprazole (Prilosec). Higher dose versions may still need to be prescribed for some people. Common side effects of PPIs are generally mild and tolerable for most people, including headache, stomach ache, diarrhea, constipation, gas and nausea.

H2 receptor blockers, a type of gut antihistamine, work differently from PPIs by reducing the effects of histamine on the acid production of the stomach. Cimetidine or famotidine are the most common active ingredients. As of August 2022, ranitidine (Zantac) has been removed from the market due to safety concerns about levels of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), a nitrosamine impurity.

Acute acid reflux (symptoms lasting less than 2 weeks):

We recommend an antacid such as Rolaids or an alginate such as Gaviscon suspension, to give immediate relief to neutralize acid reflux and heartburn from flare-ups or after a fatty or spicy meal.

For prevention or protection throughout the day:

We would suggest a PPI such as esomeprazole (Nexium), taken once every morning, to give all-day protection for the lining of the stomach. You should take it with water, but you don’t need to take it with food.

Acid reflux during pregnancy and breastfeeding:

Antacids such as Rolaids or Gaviscon are safe to take for short-term relief. The manufacturers of PPIs such as Nexium do not recommend use, but it may be worth a discussion with your doctor about risks versus benefits of any particular medication.

Acid reflux in babies:

Antacids formulated for infants can be purchased at the pharmacy. It's a good idea to consult with a doctor before use, to confirm the diagnosis, as normal spitting of baby milk is often mistaken for reflux, and there may be other causes for symptoms that a doctor needs to consider.

Meal adjustments can make all the difference. Eat smaller meals, even if this means eating four times a day, rather than the usual three. Make sure you stick to regular mealtimes and don’t skip. Take your evening meal earlier, so you have at least three to four hours after eating before you go to bed (lying down on the sofa is also a bad idea).

Adapting your diet can help – start by cutting out any potential triggers in your usual intake. Once symptoms are under control, you can keep a diary and gradually re-introduce them one by one, but keep them in moderation and cut them out again if reflux returns.

Elevating the head of your bed by 6 to 8 inches may help, as it keeps your chest higher than your stomach, to allow gravity to work by keeping stomach contents where they should be.

Losing weight if you are overweight or obese (a Body Mass Index or BMI over 25), will help acid reflux, and may even resolve it. This is best done with sensible low calorie food options and a sustainable exercise program. If you also have a hiatus hernia, weight loss may ease pressure pushing this up into the chest.

Stopping smoking can help in the long term for the esophagus to recover and regenerate newer, healthier cells. This is alongside all of the other health benefits a smoke-free existence provides.

Alcohol consumption similarly should be addressed by avoiding binge drinking and sticking to the recommended limit of 14 units per week. It’s a good idea to have at least two alcohol-free days in the week, to rest your system.

Stress and anxiety may impact your life, and it’s worth addressing these with whatever measures you feel appropriate – for severe cases, this may require a discussion with your doctor or professional guidance from a psychologist. For everyone, introduce relaxation techniques, either formal, such as mindfulness or body scanning, or whatever helps you unwind – yoga, music, a long walk, a good book - whatever can be easily incorporated into your daily routine.

Drinking peppermint tea is thought to aid digestion, and chamomile tea is thought to have soothing properties on the digestive tract, as well as helping to soothe an anxious mind. But you should avoid chamomile if you have a ragweed allergy. Ginger tea has long been touted as an aid to digestion and to alleviating stomach pain.

Licorice supplements are said to increase the production of mucus to coat the esophageal lining, thereby making it more resistant to the abrasion of stomach acid. Make sure any supplements contain deglycyrrhizinated licorice, as too much glycyrrhizin is thought to be harmful.

Chewing gum for about half an hour after eating has been shown in studies to reduce the stomach acid surge associated with mealtimes, as it increases saliva production, which helps to dilute the acid and coat the esophagus in a protective shield. Pick sugar-free gum to keep your teeth healthy.

The doctors at Healthwords think that nurturing the gut microbiome makes sense in building up a healthy balance of bacteria and protecting from harmful bacteria like H. pylori. This may reduce the risk of acid build-up and reflux. More scientific data is needed but it is not known to be harmful. Try four weeks of daily prebiotic or probiotic drinks or supplements, or fermented milk drinks or kefir and see if it helps symptoms.

If you’ve adjusted certain lifestyle measures and you’ve tried over-the-counter medication for more than 1 to 2 weeks without sufficient improvement, or if your symptoms are having a serious impact on your daily life, it’s worth seeing your doctor.

If you think one of your prescribed medications could be contributing to acid reflux, before reducing or stopping this, discuss it with your doctor to agree on a plan together.

If you have any serious symptoms like unintentional weight loss, reduced appetite, difficulty swallowing or regurgitation of food and drink, you should book an urgent appointment with your doctor.