People with acid reflux are familiar with a certain fiery, internal hell known as heartburn.
Different foods, drinks, and even high stress levels can bring on the dreaded acid-induced pain and lead to discomfort in the throat, chest, or upper stomach that's far from pleasant.
Those who suffer from acid reflux are often left looking for one thing: relief. And while it's not always easy to come by, there are definitely things out there that can help make living with acid reflux significantly less hellish.
From trusty antacids and products made to help you sleep better, to heartburn-friendly apparel and more, here are 13 gifts that anyone with acid reflux will appreciate.
1. Tums
Antacids are a household staple for those who have acid reflux or suffer from heartburn and indigestion. There are plenty of options, including but not limited to Pepcid AC and Alka-Seltzer, but my preferred favorite is Tums. The classic chalk-like discs come in a variety of types and flavors, but my go-to is the Tropical Fruit, not to be confused with Assorted Fruit because that would be a BIG mistake. Huge! (If you're a loyal customer, subscribing to Tums on Amazon is also a great way to save money.)
Price: $3.97+ on Amazon
2. A wedge pillow
Anyone who's suffered with heartburn before bed knows how agonizing it can feel to lay horizontally and rest your head on a flat pillow. To alleviate symptoms, people with acid reflux are encouraged to stop eating three hours before bed, but sometimes you simply can't wait that long to snooze. Other times not even a span of three hours discourages stomach acid from rising up.
One simple solution is to elevate your head at night, which is where wedge pillows come in handy. There are a lot of wedges to choose from, but this one from AllSett Health serves multiple purposes and has a washable cover.
Price: $59.99 on Amazon
3. A Tums travel container
Tired: Plastic baggie full of emergency Tums. Wired: Reusable Tums travel container.
It's 2019 and the world is cutting down on plastic usage, which means it's time to abandon your trusty plastic baggie full of Tums. Travel-sized Tums are already a thing, and the bottles and rolls are very cute, but the Tums themselves are sometimes a bit too small, get stuck in the container, or run out quickly. Buying a properly-sized travel container will let people pack the Tums of their choosing.
Price: $5.83 at Walmart
4. A relatable mug
I don't know about you, but I love to guzzle coffee and tea, both of which are unfortunately known triggers for people with acid reflux. I'm sure that like myself, many people out there drink the two beverages even though they cause upset, and while you sometimes regret the decision, this mug will accurately articulate your feeling of invincibility in the moment.
Price: $15.00 on Etsy
5. A mason jar for bedside Tums
As we've established, acid reflux can really act up around bedtime, but sometimes you're already comfortably buried under the covers before you realize you need a few Tums. Rather than keep an unsightly bottle of the antacid tablets by your bed, why not invest in a mason jar to fill with Tums and keep it on a nightstand? Cute and convenient!
Price: $1.49 at The Container Store
6. Gum
Did you know that chewing gum can aid in the relief of heartburn? Chewing gum helps stimulate the production and flow of saliva, which neutralizes acid in the mouth and esophagus and relives the effects of acid reflux. There's a wonderfully wide world of gum brands to choose from, but even a slightly lackluster and extremely affordable pack of Orbit will do the trick. Just keep in mind that mint could also be a heartburn trigger for some, so consider the flavor before you splurge.
Price: $0.99 on Amazon
7. A reusable water bottle
Everyone's heartburn triggers are different, but for some people, coffee, tea, alcohol, citrus juices, and carbonated beverages can aggravate acid reflux. What's a safe beverage bet? Water. So a reusable water bottle is a perfect present.
Price: $29.35 on Amazon
8. Some bed risers
Like a wedge pillow, bed risers are yet another way to elevate your body to prevent acid reflux from ruining your slumber. If you're not ready to abandon your regular pillow, simply consider popping two of these babies on and tilting the whole damn bed.
Price: $15.99 on Amazon
9. Sweat pants
Tight clothing that presses on and constricts the stomach can also worsen symptoms of heartburn, so a nice loose pair of sweatpants are a wise investment for anyone with acid reflux.
Price: $20.00 on Amazon
10. Apple cider vinegar
It's not proven that apple cider vinegar relives acid reflux symptoms, but some people swear by it as a home remedy. If you suffer from acid reflux it's worth giving the vinegar a try. Bonus: If it doesn't help with heartburn there are a slew of other uses for the vinegar.
Price: $4.21+ on Amazon
11. A pun shirt
Most of the time having acid reflux is not fun, but when someone's wearing this punny shirt they're actively making the effort laugh in the face of heartburn. Inspiring.
Price: $16.99 on Amazon
12. Heartburn
Nora Ephron's autobiographical novel, Heartburn, isn't about acid reflux, but it's still a good gift. The book is based on Ephron's marriage to second husband Carl Bernstein, and their eventual divorce. The title is relatable, and reading it will give you the chance to experience a different type of heartburn. How refreshing!
Price: $10.99 on Amazon
13. A vintage Tums tin
For the person in your life who's really into Tums, I present a Tums collectible: A vintage antacid tablet storage tin from the 1930s. You can snag this crucial piece of history, this acid reflux relic, for less than $5.00. It's such a good deal it almost seems like a crime? While antique is clearly a special gift from the heart(burn), should you buy it for someone, encourage them to put it on display rather than actually store Tums in it. Because, well, rust.
Price: $4.95 on Etsy
Heartburn, prepare to get owned.
Topics Health
