Stomach acid reduction: simple ways to calm heartburn and reflux

Too much stomach acid can ruin a meal, a night, or your focus. If you notice burning in your chest, frequent burping, sour taste, or waking with acid at the back of your throat, you want clear steps that work. This guide gives practical fixes you can try today, explains common medicines, and tells you when to see a doctor.

Quick practical fixes

Start with what and when you eat. Avoid large meals and don’t lie down less than two to three hours after eating. Cut back on spicy foods, fatty or fried dishes, big tomato sauces, citrus fruits, chocolate, coffee, and alcohol — these commonly trigger reflux. Eat smaller portions spread through the day and slow down when you chew. Raising the head of your bed by six to eight inches or using a wedge pillow reduces night symptoms by keeping stomach contents lower. Chewing sugar-free gum after meals increases saliva that helps neutralize acid. Stopping smoking and losing even five percent of body weight often cuts reflux symptoms noticeably.

Medicines and safety

For occasional heartburn, fast antacids like calcium carbonate (Tums) or alginate-containing brands (Gaviscon) give quick relief by neutralizing acid. H2 blockers such as famotidine (Pepcid) reduce acid production for hours and help frequent but mild symptoms. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) like omeprazole and pantoprazole are stronger and work well for frequent or severe reflux when used correctly. Talk to your clinician before starting long-term PPI therapy. Some large studies have linked prolonged PPI use with lower vitamin B12 levels, magnesium problems, and a small increased risk of bone fracture and kidney issues. That does not mean stop PPIs suddenly, but it means weigh benefits and risks and check with your provider.

Special notes

Misoprostol (Cytotec) helps protect the stomach lining from NSAID damage and can lower acid in specific clinical situations, but it is not a routine reflux treatment. Activated charcoal does not reduce stomach acid and is not effective for reflux control.

When to see a doctor

Get medical help if you have trouble swallowing, unexplained weight loss, recurrent vomiting, black or bloody stools, or chest pain that could be heart related. If heartburn occurs more than twice a week despite OTC steps, ask for medical advice. Your provider may recommend tests, a prescription medicine, or referral to a gastroenterologist.

Simple daily checklist

Eat small meals, avoid trigger foods, finish eating two to three hours before bed, raise your head at night, chew gum after meals, quit smoking, and try an antacid or H2 blocker for flare-ups. If these actions fail, talk to your doctor about a short trial of a PPI and a follow-up plan.

Small habits plus the right medicine at the right time often bring lasting relief. Use sensible changes first, then add medication under guidance if needed.

Track your symptoms for a week, note triggers, and share the list with your clinician to get a tailored plan that works faster and safer.