Heartburn Home Remedies

He carried a briefcase in high school Air Max 95 while his classmates were slinging backpacks.

Aloe Vera juice includes an abundance of enzymes that can aid in digestion and can help to detoxify the system.

Heartburn are sometimes caused by indigestion.

I grew up with four brothers, and if you didn’t eat fast, you might not eat at all. I always gulped my food down and then paid the price later with a stomachache and a lot of gas.

Stomach acids can be forced up into the esophagus when there's too much food in your belly. Fill your belly more, and you'll force up more acid.

Greasy, fried, and fatty foods tend to sit in the stomach for a long time and foster surplus acid production.

Chile peppers and their spicy cousins may seem like the most likely heartburn culprits, but they're not. Many people with heartburn can eat spicy foods without added pain, says Dr. Klein.

Acidic foods like oranges and lemons may seem like trouble, but the acid they contain is kid stuff compared to what your stomach produces, says Francis S. Kleckner, M.D.

"An over-the-counter antacid such as Maalox or Mylanta will generally bring fast relief from occasional heartburn," says Dr. Klein.

Fats, proteins, and calcium in milk can stimulate the stomach to secrete acid. "Some people recommend milk for heartburn—but there's a problem with it," says Dr. Klein.

Mints are one of several foods that tend to relax your lower esophageal sphincter, the little valve that keeps acid in your stomach—and the little lid that can often protect you even when you do overindulge.

Caffeinated drinks such as coffee, tea, and cola may irritate an already inflamed esophagus. Caffeine also relaxes the sphincter.

The number one food to avoid when you're experiencing heartburn is chocolate. The sweet confection deals those with heartburn a double whammy.

All those little bubbles can expand your stomach, producing the same effect on the sphincter as overeating, says Dr. Good.

"It doesn't matter whether it's yours or someone else's tobacco smoke—avoid it," says Dr. Kleckner. It will relax your sphincter and increase acid production.

The stomach may be compared to a tube of toothpaste, says Dr. Kleckner. If you squeeze the tube in the middle, he says, something's going to come out of the top.

Think again of the toothpaste analogy, says Dr. Kleckner. "Many people can get relief from heartburn simply by wearing suspenders instead of a belt."

If you bend at the stomach, you'll be compressing it, forcing acid upward. "Bend at the knees," says Dr. Kleckner. "It's not only a way to control acid, it's also better for your back."

You may find the source of your grief lurking inside. A number of prescription drugs, including some antidepressants and sedatives, may aggravate heartburn.

"Never eat within 2 1/2 hours before bedtime," says Dr. Kleckner. A bulging stomach and gravity working together are a sure way to force stomach acid upward into the esophagus.

If you lie flat, you'll have gravity working against you. Stay upright and the acid in your stomach is more likely to stay in your stomach.

When you finally do lie down, elevate the head of your bed 4 to 6 inches.

"Stress," says Dr. Klein, "may cause an increase in acid production in the stomach.

Over-the-counter digestive aids are generally effective and safe.

Walk into your health food store, and chances are you'll find a number of herbs reputed to fight heartburn. Herb researcher Daniel B. Mowrey, Ph.D., studied the evidence thoroughly and concluded that some herbal remedies do relieve and prevent heartburn.