Depending On Baking Soda For Heartburn Relief Can Have Dire Health Consequences

Knowledge can get us into trouble

Knowledge can get us into trouble. Many of us use baking soda to relieve our heartburn, knowing that the sodium bicarbonate neutralizes stomach acid. But depending on baking soda for heartburn relief can have dire health consequences if used too much.

Heartburn can best described as a condition where food and stomach acid enters the esophagus. When acid goes back up, this is called acid reflux and this reflux causes discomfort in the chest which can reach up to the throat. This happens when the valve between the stomach and esophagus gets loose, affected by a number of foods we eat, or it gets damaged by frequent flushing with the stomach acid.

Changing eating habits and avoiding certain foods are the best ways to end frequent heartburn attacks. The esophageal valve won't feel their affects and therefore won't cause stomach acid to enter the esophagus. But for quick relief, we will neutralize acid by taking antacids or mixing water with a teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate. The sodium bicarbonate and stomach acid mix to make carbon dioxide and water which doesn't bother the esophagus anymore.

But using baking soda will also cause the esophageal valve to loosen which will cause carbon dioxide to escape the stomach by burping it out. This burping may splash acid into the esophagus and trigger heartburn.

Using baking soda for heartburn relief becomes an issue when people begin to overuse baking soda instead of just trying to eat better.

Frequent use causes increased concentration of sodium bicarbonate in our body, alkalizing our entire system. Fluid retention,high blood pressure, and possibly kidney stones can come about if there is too much sodium bicarbonate in the system. The same can happen with the frequent use of calcium carbonate, the main ingredient of antacids.

If you choose to use baking soda to treat your heartburn it's very important to consult a doctor before doing it so he can give you the frequency and quantity that best to fight your heartburn. They can keep an eye on you so they can identify if any problem may occur.

It is vital that we separate a temporary relief from long-term improvement. Being more conscientious about what we eat is a sure fire way to stop acid reflux. Heartburn can be eliminated completely by learning what other issues may be causing it (stress, smoking,etc) and eating the proper foods. When the damage to the valve and esophagus is serious, then professional help is needed.Don't self-medicate and keep regular appointments with a doctor.

by: Alex Henderson

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