How to Alleviate Excess Stomach Acid

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Soothe an upset stomach caused by reflux or other complications

Co-authored by Lisa Bryant, ND and Sophie Burkholder, BA

Last Updated: December 14, 2024 Fact Checked

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• Talking to a Doctor
|
• Home Remedies
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• Making Lifestyle Changes
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• Video
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• Tips
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• Warnings

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Your stomach is full of naturally produced acid that helps break down food and protects the GI tract from infection. But, excess stomach acid can cause uncomfortable symptoms, pain, and even severe health problems. The most common symptom is heartburn (a.k.a. gastroesophageal reflux), which occurs when stomach acid leaks into the esophagus. Frequent heartburn suggests gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which can damage the esophagus and throat. Reducing excess stomach acid is the best way to manage these problems.

Things You Should Know

• Talk to a doctor about prescription or over-the counter medications, like Tums or Omeprazole, or other treatments.
• Try natural remedies like licorice tea and mastic to improve your symptoms and temporarily reduce discomfort, although these supplements won’t actually cure excess stomach acid.
• Increase your salivation to neutralize stomach acid by chewing sugar-free, non-peppermint gum.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Seeking Medical Attention for GERD

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1. 1
   See a doctor if necessary. If your acid reflux isn’t going away on its own, visit a medical professional. Long-term GERD can cause esophageal injury and is associated with other severe health problems. Prolonged inflammation and repeated injury can also increase the risk of developing esophageal cancer. Don't hesitate to seek medical treatment if lifestyle changes don't fix your stomach acid issues.
2. 2
   Ask your doctor for medication recommendations. Medical treatment for GERD is broken down according to severity of symptoms. Many medications are available over-the-counter (OTC). You should still consult your doctor to ensure a proper treatment regimen. If he or she can write you a prescription for an OTC medication, you might even be able to get it covered by insurance. Follow the dosage and timing instructions carefully for each different drug to prevent potentially severe side effects.

   • For mild to moderate GERD: Take antacids as needed (Tums, Maalox) to neutralize acid if your symptoms occur once weekly or less. They provide relief within minutes, but only last for a few hours. Take surface agents (sucralfate/Carafate) to protect esophageal and stomach lining and promote healing. Take histamine 2 receptor antagonists (Zantac, Pepcid) to decrease acid secretion.
   • For severe or frequent (2 or more episodes per week) GERD: take proton pump inhibitors (omeprazole, lansoprazole, esomeprazole, pantoprazole, dexlansoprazole, rabeprazole) to prevent acid secretion in the stomach. Some of these are available OTC, and the standard dose is one pill daily for 8 weeks. Side effects include: bacterial infections and diarrhea, anemia and osteoporosis, and interactions with other medications.
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3. 3
   Discuss the option of an endoscopy. In a screening upper endoscopy, doctors use a camera on a flexible tube to look at the throat, esophagus, and stomach. During the procedure, they might take biopsies to assess inflammation, check for H. pylori (a type of bacteria), and rule out cancer. Discuss whether your symptoms call for an endoscopy with your doctor.
4. 4
   Be open to surgery if your doctor recommends it. Rarely, GERD symptoms don't respond to any medications, in which case you may need surgery. One surgical approach (fundoplication) wraps the upper part of the stomach around the esophagus, then sews it in place to reinforce the esophageal opening. A second approach wraps a string of magnetized beads around the point where the esophagus meets the stomach. This closes the lower esophagus, but lets it expand when swallowing so food can get through.

   • Young people who will suffer from life-long GERD symptoms can also consider surgery.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using Natural and Alternative Therapies

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1. 1
   Try natural remedies to soothe your stomach. There hasn't been much research done on natural remedies for acid reflux. Though these remedies aren't fully accepted by the medical or scientific communities, they may help relieve symptoms:

   • Licorice and caraway are both herbs that many suggest may help stomach-related symptoms like nausea.
   • DGL (Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice Root Extract) chewable tablets—a supplement available at most health food stores—have been shown in some studies to treat stomach ulcers and reflux, although this treatment is not proven to be effective.
   • Mastic (Arabic gum)—a supplement available at most health food stores—is thought to have anti-inflammatory properties, although more research is needed.
2. 2
   Avoid debunked natural therapies. You may have heard that peppermint can help with acid reflux, but studies show that peppermint oil actually makes it worse. Another common belief is that milk can relieve symptoms. While it's true that milk will neutralize stomach acid for a little while, the fat in milk may stimulate more acid production in the long run.

   • Cough drops and lozenges are also not recommended, as they may irritate the throat and induce more stomach acid.
3. 3
   Increase your salivation. Studies suggest that increased salivation can neutralize stomach acid.You can increase your salivation by chewing gum—just avoid peppermint flavor and make sure it’s sugar-free to prevent high calorie intake.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Making Lifestyle Changes

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1. 1
   Eat a balanced, healthy diet. In general, a balanced diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat/fat free dairy. It also includes lean (low-fat) proteins, such as poultry, fish, and beans. Your diet should also be low in saturated and trans fats, cholesterol, sodium (salt), and added sugars. The USDA has many resources available to learn more about how to create a balanced diet.
2. 2
   Achieve and maintain a healthy body mass index (BMI). In medical terms, a healthy weight is defined by something called a body mass index (BMI). The BMI estimates your appropriate weight range according to height and sex. A normal BMI is 18.5-24.9. BMIs below 18.5 are underweight, from 25.0-29.9 are overweight, and above 30.0 are obese.

   • Use a BMI calculator to find out your BMI.
   • Adjust your diet and exercise to bring your BMI into the "normal" range.
   • However, modern research has shown that BMI isn’t an entirely accurate measure of health. Consult with your doctor before making any dramatic adjustments to your eating habits or lifestyle.
3. 3
   Count calories to lose or maintain weight. Checking nutrition labels for calories is a simple and efficient way to manage your weight. Make sure you stay within the recommended calorie range for your dietary needs every single day. The amount (and kind) of calories you need varies depending on your gender, age, and daily activity level. For an accurate number, talk to your primary care physician or a qualified nutritionist.

   • The healthiest rate to lose weight is at about one pound per week. A pound of fat is about 3500 calories, so decrease your daily intake by 500 calories. (500 calories x 7 days/week = 3500 calories/7 days = 1 lb/week). However, keep in mind that eating less than 1,200 calories per day may prevent you from getting necessary nutrients and staying healthy.
   • Use a calorie tracking website or phone app like My Fitness Pal to help keep track of what you're eating.
4. 4
   Avoid eating large portions. Eat meals slowly, and take small, thoroughly chewed bites for efficient digestion. Large, poorly chewed bites will add to how much time it takes for your stomach to break down food. You'll over-eat as a result. Eating quickly can also make you swallow too much air, which can lead to bloating.

   • It can take up to 20 minutes for your stomach to signal your brain that you are full. Because of this, people who eat quickly tend to over-eat.
5. 5
   Avoid foods that make GERD symptoms worse. Unfortunately, there are no specific foods that have been scientifically proven to cure GERD. You can, however, avoid foods that have been shown to make it worse:

   • Caffeinated drinks (coffee, tea, soda)
   • Caffeine-like chemicals (chocolate, peppermint)
   • Alcohol
   • Spicy foods (hot peppers, curry, hot mustards)
   • Acidic foods (citrus fruits, tomatoes, sauces and dressings that have vinegar)
   • Large amounts of foods that cause bloating and gas (cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, legumes, dairy, and high-fat foods)
   • Sugar or sugary foods
6. 6
   Maintain a regular exercise schedule. The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes per week of moderate activity. Or, you can do 75 minutes per week of vigorous aerobic activity, or a combination of both, spread over the week.

   • If that sounds like more than you can manage, something is always better than nothing! Do your best to get as much exercise as you can. Even going for a short walk is better than sitting on the couch!
   • The more calories you burn through exercise, the more calories you can eat! Many calorie-tracking programs help you keep track of how exercise affects how much you can eat on a day-to-day basis.
7. 7
   Avoid straining or exercising vigorously, especially shortly after eating. Depending on the size and type of meal, your stomach takes 3-5 hours to digest and empty its contents. To avoid reflux, let most of that time pass or eat smaller meals before participating in such activities.
8. 8
   Don't lay down after eating. Laying down after a meal can exacerbate the symptoms of GERD. Wait three hours after a meal before lying down or going to sleep. Elevating the head of your bed may also help reduce GERD symptoms at night.
9. 9
   Avoid bad habits that make symptoms worse. If you smoke or use any other tobacco products, you should quit as soon as possible. Alcohol can also make acid reflux worse, so either cut it out of your diet or cut back significantly. Finally, avoid lying down soon after eating. If you can't do that, try sleeping with your torso elevated by a bed wedge.
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Foods and Supplements to Reduce Stomach Acid

Foods to Avoid with Excess Stomach Acid

Foods to Eat with Excess Stomach Acid

Herbs and Supplements for Excess Stomach Acid

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Tips

• If you are having a heartburn attack, it has been recommended to avoid laying on your back, as this gives the acid a better chance at splashing up. Stay upright, if possible.
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• Keep a journal with lists of the foods you eat, the time it takes you to complete a meal, and any acid-related symptoms that you experience within an hour after your last meal. A journal will help you uncover causes of acid buildup.
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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

• If you're experiencing heart burn, try to avoid laying on your back. This can make heartburn feel worse.
• Try seltzer water tablets. Put it in water, let it fizz, then you can drink it.

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Warnings

• While some excess stomach acid is caused by foods that are eaten, changes in mood or stress levels, or excess alcohol consumption, some individuals have consistent stomach acid problems. Consistently high stomach acid levels can lead to serious problems such as the deterioration of the esophagus or the development of ulcers. If you experience persistent stomach acid symptoms, consult a physician.
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• A stomach acid level that is too low can be just as detrimental to your health as a stomach acid level that is too high. If you overdose on antacid tablets or other acid reducing medications or treatments, your digestion may be affected and your nutrition may suffer. Following the precise guidelines listed on over the counter or prescription treatments for excess acid is extremely important.
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• The use of prescription antacids that reduce the stomach acid can lead to vitamin B12 deficiency which can in turn cause pernicious anemia. This is a serious illness which can eventually cause death if left untreated. Our stomachs are designed to work with adequate acid and proper digestion of food and absorption of vital nutrients cannot occur when the acid is "shut-off" with prescription antacids.
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