Contents:
- Medical Video: Heartburn, Acid Reflux, GERD-Mayo Clinic
- Why can stomach acid go up?
- How do you use baking soda as a stomach acid medicine?
- Side effects of using baking soda as a stomach acid medicine
- High salt content
- High gas content
- So, is baking soda safe as a stomach acid drug?
Medical Video: Heartburn, Acid Reflux, GERD-Mayo Clinic
Are you one of the people with gastric acid reflux, or what is known as acid reflux disease, aka GERD? If so, how do you deal with this increase in stomach acid? Baking soda has long been believed to be one of the stomach acid drugs that can be used to deal with the increase in stomach acid. But is baking soda treatment safe to do? Are there side effects that can be experienced as a result of using baking soda as a stomach acid drug?
Why can stomach acid go up?
The entrance of your stomach is a valve in the form of a muscle with a ring shape known as lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Normally, this LES will be closed immediately after the food passes. But in some conditions, LES does not close or even open too often, so the acid produced by your stomach rises to the esophagus.
This condition can cause heartburn or heartburn, and if it occurs more than twice a week, this condition can trigger gastric acid (GERD).
How do you use baking soda as a stomach acid medicine?
Supported from a number of studies that have been done, baking soda is believed to have the same function as antacids, which is to neutralize stomach acid. Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is a white powder that is odorless and is a combination of sodium and hydrogen carbonate. This sodium bicarbonate is even found contained in antacids sold in pharmacies. This white powder has a bitter taste and tends to be alkaline.
How to use baking soda as a stomach acid medicine is mixed with water until it dissolves. A study in 2015 revealed that the combination of baking soda and omeprazole, an acid-blocking drug, succeeded in reducing symptoms due to increased stomach acid, in 30 minutes compared to just using omeprazole alone.
Side effects of using baking soda as a stomach acid medicine
High salt content
As mentioned above, baking soda contains high levels of salt. So drinking baking soda may not be recommended if you have high blood pressure or are on a low-salt diet.
High gas content
Baking soda also contains high levels of gas, which may cause you to waste more gas after using baking soda. These side effects are in accordance with the Take Care of Yourself book that writes that, the treatment of baking soda works by releasing gas that is trapped in your stomach to neutralize rising stomach acid.
So, is baking soda safe as a stomach acid drug?
Because of the potential side effects of baking soda treatment, you should discuss it with your doctor before actually using it as a stomach acid medicine. If you even experience stomach acid rising with frequency quite often, it would be better if you immediately see a doctor first before taking the initiative to do baking soda treatment yourself.
