Posted: 10/21/2005 8:15:35 PM EDT
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I've got really bad heartburn again. Wolfed down some BBQ too fast, it's been kicking my ass all night. 4 tums 1 pepcid AC 4 large glasses of water Got any good home remedies? |
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Milk. If you have any magensium tablets, it will help. Great advice from Merrell. However I disagree with the left side thing. The stomach empties into the intestines on the right side of the body. Lie on the right side, and the gravity will actually help a bit to pull the food down into the intestine faster. So the acid [and food] will be forced into the intestines. Can't feel it so much there. If you lay on the left side of the body, it actually takes longer to reach the intestines and can make heartburn worse. No place for it to go and makes the stomach work harder to force it into the intestines at an uphill climb. For gas: Think of a soda bottle. Where does the air at the top go when it is turned on its side? If you lie on the right side of the body and then sit up SLOWLY without turning on your back,[after about ten minutes,]...you will burp. This will help release the pressure. Learned both from the OB during my pregnancies. Worked every time. |
The esophagus enters the stomach on your right side. Sleeping on your left prevents any remaining food in your stomach from pressing on the opening to the esophagus, which could cause reflux. Right-sided Sleep Exacerbates Heartburn
OB should know that sleeping on the right (while not as bad as on the back) can increase pressure on the vena cava. Sleeping on the left side is preferred (for pregnancy & for heartburn) |
Hmmm, apparently, whatever he knows, works fantastic. Every time I sleep on the left side, it gets worse. Pregnancy or not. I can see where it would keep it out of the esophagus, but it also keeps it in the stomach longer. Thanks but I will stick to what is working and has worked for me for 18 years. 
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If it works for you that's good. For most (and that is backed by the findings as noted in the link above) and my own personal experiences, the converse is indicated. In either case, slight elevation of the upper body gets gravity working in the patients' favor. Whatever works best for the patient. |