BAKING SODA FOR ACID REFLUX aka Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

BAKING SODA FOR ACID REFLUX aka Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
*Do not use Baking Soda during pregnancy as it causes you and your baby to retain water. Water retention can cause harm to your heart and kidneys.

How It Works Application Risks Outlook Read This Next

What Is Acid Reflux?
Acid reflux is a common ailment that can be treated with many approaches. Sometimes referred to as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), it is classified as a type of chronic, or ongoing, digestive condition. According to the Mayo Clinic, GERD is diagnosed when you have acid reflux symptoms more than twice a week.

Aside from treating the discomfort that comes with acid reflux, it’s important to prevent damage to the esophagus. Baking soda is just one of the many possible treatments your doctor may recommend for acid reflux due to its neutralizing capabilities.

Part 2 of 5: How It Works
How Baking Soda Works
Baking soda is known for numerous household and cooking benefits. The key to its treatment for acid reflux lies in the ingredient sodium bicarbonate. This ingredient acts as an antacid to help neutralize stomach acid and control symptoms of GERD after eating. In fact, your pancreas naturally produces sodium bicarbonate to help neutralize stomach acid. Smoking and other unhealthy lifestyle choices can restrict this capability, thereby increasing your risk for acid reflux. Baking soda is thought to mimic the same effects as natural sodium bicarbonate production in the body.

When baking soda is used as an antacid, it helps prevent stomach acid from backing up in the esophagus. Baking soda can also help reduce the risk of long-term esophageal damage.

Regular baking soda from the grocery store is an option for neutralizing stomach acid. Other forms include:

capsules
tablets
granules
solutions

Alka-Seltzer is the most common brand name over-the-counter version of baking soda. Sodium bicarbonate is also available in some medications with omeprazole, a type of proton pump inhibitor. In the United States, prescription baking soda is sold under the brand names Brioschi and Neut.

Part 3 of 5: Application
How to Use It
The way you take baking soda depends on the type of product you use. Over-the-counter versions come mostly in powder form, which is dissolved in water and taken as a drink. The dosage varies, so you need to carefully follow your doctor’s instructions before use. According to the Mayo Clinic, the proper dose of sodium bicarbonate powder for adults is one-half teaspoon every two hours. The powder should be mixed into a glass of water. If you want to treat a child with acid reflux, talk to your doctor to determine the right dose.

Over-the-counter and prescription tablets may be preferable for patients who don’t care for the taste of baking soda. It’s still important to take the pills with a glass of water for easier digestion. Adults using sodium bicarbonate effervescent powder should take one to two and a half teaspoons in a glass of cold water after meals, according to the Mayo Clinic. Children ages 6 to 12 can take a quarter to a half a teaspoon in cold water after meals.

Success with baking soda means that stomach acid is effectively neutralized. Over time, you may experience fewer cases of heartburn.

Part 4 of 5: Risks
Potential Risks
Despite the neutralizing benefits of baking soda, this method isn’t appropriate for everyone with acid reflux. Since this product contains a form of sodium, you should not use it if you’re following a low-sodium diet. Baking soda can interact with other medications and supplements. It’s important to discuss this risk with your doctor.

Side effects include:

gas
nausea
increased thirst
headache
abdominal cramps

Serious side effects are also possible. Report the following symptoms to your doctor right away:

frequent urination
loss of appetite and/or unexplained weight loss
breathing difficulties
swelling in limbs and feet
bloody or tar-like stools
urine with blood
vomit that looks like coffee grounds

Baking soda is also not recommended for pregnant women. Antacids are not recommended for children under the age of 6.

Part 5 of 5: Outlook
Outlook
Medications and lifestyle changes can help reduce the occurrence of GERD and any subsequent damage to the esophagus. Antacids like baking soda are among a variety of options. Some of the most severe cases of chronic acid reflux require surgery. You shouldn’t self-treat your symptoms with baking soda without talking to a doctor first. Not only could you increase your risk for side effects, but this may not be the best option for your particular case.

According to the Mayo Clinic, your doctor will likely switch treatment methods if you fail to see results within three weeks. Other types of medications include:

stomach acid blockers
acid reducers
proton pump inhibitors
H-2-receptor blockers