How To Get Rid of Acid Reflux Naturally

What is Acid Reflux or Heartburn

Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER) commonly known as Acid Reflux or acid regurgitation is a condition where the gastric acid flows back into the esophagus, a tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach, causing a burning sensation and discomfort behind the breastbone.

Several millions of people are being struck by Acid Reflux – adults, children, and even infants cannot escape from its affliction. When acid reflux occurs, food or fluid can be tasted in the back of the mouth. When refluxed stomach acid touches the lining of the esophagus it may cause a burning sensation in the chest or throat called heartburn or acid indigestion.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is a more serious form of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and persistent reflux that occurs more than twice a week is considered GERD. Acid reflux is very common and may occur due to inappropriate diet, stress and unhealthy lifestyle. Acid reflux can lead to serious complications like inflammation and scarring of the esophagus, throat problems and breathing problems. This disease can affect both adults and children or infants, but gives high vulnerability to pregnant women, smokers and people who doze off right after eating without prior rest.

In fact, in many cases of recurrent acid reflux, lifestyle changes are all that is necessary in preventing heartburn from becoming a chronic disease. Remember to consult a physician before embarking on any treatment strategy. Continue to read to learn how to get rid of acid reflux naturally without medicine.

What Are The Symptoms of GERD?

The main symptom of GERD in adults is frequent heartburn, also called acid indigestion—burning-type pain in the lower part of the mid-chest, behind the breast bone, and in the mid-abdomen. Most children under 12 years with GERD, and some adults, have GERD without heartburn. Instead, they may experience a dry cough, asthma symptoms, or trouble swallowing.

Other typical symptoms are as follows:

1. Gastric regurgitation, which means an unrestricted reversed flow of gastric or esophageal contents into the throat. This gastric fluid can cause respiratory complications under certain conditions.

2. Odynophagia, which means pain when swallowing.

3. Dysphagia, which means difficulty swallowing, or the feeling of food stuck in the throat.

In addition to the above, about 50% of all gastroesophageal reflux disease sufferers report the co-occurrence of sinonasal symptoms (i. e. symptoms pertaining to the nose and sinuses). Abnormal GERD symptoms include chronic wheezing and coughing (sometimes referred to as acid reflux related asthma, and are caused by the aspiration of gastric contents into the lungs area), spasmodic noncardiac chest pain and damage to the lungs, often followed by respiratory diseases such as pneumonia and asthma.

Acid Reflux Causes

Acid reflux causes are still unclear, however acid reflux disease occurs due to the coexistence of several medical and lifestyle conditions. Research shows that at the bottom of the esophagus, where it attaches to the stomach, there’s a small circular band of muscle called the esophageal sphincter (LES) that separates the two. It could be compared to a rubber band that relaxes to let food pass into the stomach but tightens afterward to keep the acids and digesting food from moving back up into the esophagus. LES malfunction is the first factor that causes and contributes to gastro-esophageal reflux disease. In a healthy individual, the LES relaxes only when food passes from the esophagus into the stomach. After the food passes into the stomach, the valve shuts off, keeping the stomach content and acid inside. However, when the LES is weak and doesn’t close properly, acid can splash up into your throat causing painful burning sensation, called heartburn.

The most common causes of Acid Reflux and Heartburn include:

stress
some antidepressants and sedatives
elevated hormone levels during pregnancy
eating before going to bed
eating large meals
slower emptying of the stomach
frequently eating greasy, fried, and fatty foods
smoking
alcohol
drinking lots of carbonated beverages such as soda
diseases that weaken the esophageal muscle such as scleroderma, mixed connective tissue disease, or hiatal hernias.

Foods Good For Acid Reflux

What acid reflux food should I avoid or What is the best food for acid reflux? This is a question most gastroesophageal reflux disease sufferers struggle upon. Promoting healthy nutrition that is based on avoiding certain foods while increasing the intake of others has the potential to confer significant long-term health benefits among acid reflux sufferers. Lifestyle and dietary alterations are considered to be an integral and inseparable part of any long-term holistic GERD treatment and to treating acid reflux without medications. The foods we consume play an important role when it comes to keeping our body’s delicate natural inner balance. Since certain foods and dietary habits have been found to directly and indirectly promote the aggravation of acid reflux, avoiding those foods and adopting specific dietary habits for optimal digestion while suffering from acid reflux could have a tremendously positive effect on your existing medical condition. Common foods that can worsen reflux symptoms include:

citrus fruits
chocolate
drinks with caffeine or alcohol
fatty and fried foods
garlic and onions
mint flavorings
spicy foods
tomato-based foods, like spaghetti sauce, salsa, chili, and pizza

However some food to eat with acid reflux includes milk which can be a good reliever of acid reflux. Cold milk helps reduce the acidic effect and gives temporary relief. Go for fat-free skim milk, as fat in the milk can lead to greater production of acid in the stomach. Coconut water, buttermilk with coriander juice are good foods for acid reflux. Increase fiber intake with lots of vegetables like leafy vegetables, bitter gourd, cucumber and pumpkin. Fruits like banana, watermelon and papaya help reduce acidity Increase whole grains and protein in your diet

So what acid reflux food should you avoid or food to eat with acid reflux? With these dietary changes and a healthy motivation to alter your lifestyle, you can be on your way to overcoming gastroesophageal reflux disease and improving the quality of your life and well-being. Whatever your medical condition is, when you finally decide to improve your quality of life, you can literally choose to cure GERD and prevent its recurrence, by adopting the holistic approach and using holistic remedies for acid reflux as it was the best way to treating GERD naturally.

Acid Reflux During Pregnancy

Many women experience acid reflux for the first time during pregnancy. This is caused by increasing levels of hormones combined with pressure from the growing fetus. Worst during the third trimester, the symptoms almost always go away after delivery. Thankfully, there are simple home remedies to alleviate the symptoms of acid reflux.

1) Hydration: Drinking 8-10 glasses of water and also hydration between each meal can go a long way in combating heartburn.

2) Small meals: Eating 5-6 smaller meals as opposed to 2-3 large ones can also prevent the occurrence by a large extent

3) Early dinner: Eat your dinner a minimum of 3 hours prior to your bedtime to give enough time for the food to be digested.

4) Sleeping position: After dinner, remain in an upright position for at least two hours to prevent discomfort. Also, try to sleep in a slanted position by keeping your upper body tilted.

5) Stress: Eliminate all causes of stress, which is also a primary contributor of heartburn.

During pregnancy, acid reflux cannot be prevented. However, you can check the intensity of its symptoms by following a GERD diet. To curb acid reflux, strictly avoid spicy food, fried food, fatty food, and food items which are heavily seasoned. You also have to stay away from chocolates, tomato-based products like ketchup, citrus fruits, mustard, mints, etc. The remedies during pregnancy discussed here are quite safe at any stage of pregnancy. The effect of these remedies can vary from one person to another. However, if the discomfort continues for a long time, then do not hesitate to contact your doctor.

Heartburn in Children and Infants

Infants and children can experience that burning sensation in the chest. According to some estimates, about 2% of children ages 3 to 9, and 5% of children ages 10 to 17, have heartburn. Acid reflux can be remedied by feeding your infant smaller, more frequent meals. This is because smaller feedings may be easier for your baby’s digestive system to handle.

Burp the baby often. Many parents underestimate the importance of proper burping, but when the baby is unable to release the trapped air from the stomach, it can cause pain or discomfort and make reflux worse. Bottle-fed babies with reflux may need to be burped every ounce, while breastfeeding babies with reflux should be burped once every five minutes. To burp effectively, simple pat the baby’s back repeatedly until she releases a burp. If this does not happen within a minute or two, change the position of the baby and try again.

Acid reflux symptoms in infants can be reduced if you keep your baby in an upright position for at least a half hour after eating. This will give the formula or breast milk time to settle in the stomach. Some babies may have difficulty digesting certain formulas, so ask a pediatrician if switching to another type of formula might help. A mother who is breastfeeding may also change her diet to ease reflux. Caffeine, chocolate and garlic are known to promote reflux, so breastfeeding mothers should avoid these foods in particular.

Self Test To Check GERD

How significant is your heartburn? What are the chances that it is something more serious? If you need a yardstick, here’s a simple self-test developed by a panel of experts from the American College of Gastroenterology.

Remember, if you have heartburn two or more times a week, or still have symptoms on your over-the-counter or prescription medicines, see your doctor.

Take this “Richter Scale/Acid Test” to see if you’re a GERD sufferer and are taking the right steps to treat it.

Do you frequently have one or more of the following:

an uncomfortable feeling behind the breastbone that seems to be moving upward from the stomach?
a burning sensation in the back of your throat?
a bitter acid taste in your mouth?
Do you often experience these problems after meals?
Do you experience heartburn or acid indigestion two or more times per week?
Do you find that antacids only provide temporary relief from your symptoms?
Are you taking prescription medication to treat heartburn, but still having symptoms?

If you said yes to two or more of the above, you may have GERD. To know for sure, see your doctor or a gastrointestinal specialist. They can help you live pain free.

Points to Remember About GERD

Frequent heartburn, also called acid indigestion, is the most common symptom of GERD in adults. Anyone experiencing heartburn twice a week or more may have GERD.
You can have GERD without having heartburn. Your symptoms could include a dry cough, asthma symptoms, or trouble swallowing.
If you have been using antacids for more than 2 weeks, it is time to see your health care provider. Most doctors can treat GERD. Your health care provider may refer you to a gastroenterologist, a doctor who treats diseases of the stomach and intestines.
Health care providers usually recommend lifestyle and dietary changes to relieve symptoms of GERD. Many people with GERD also need medication. Surgery may be considered as a treatment option.
Most infants with GER are healthy even though they may frequently spit up or vomit. Most infants outgrow GER by their first birthday. Reflux that continues past 1 year of age may be GERD.
The persistence of GER along with other symptoms—arching and irritability in infants, or abdominal and chest pain in older children—is GERD. GERD is the outcome of frequent and persistent GER in infants and children and may cause repeated vomiting, coughing, and respiratory problems.
With effective treatment, using the range of prescription medications and other treatments available today, you can become symptom free, avoid potential complications and restore the quality of life you deserve.

Natural Home Remedies For Acid Reflux and GERD

Heartburn and acidity are common complaints that give you the feeling of burning ache or sensation in the abdomen. There are several home remedies that can treat acid reflux. Here we will discuss some of the commonly used home remedies for acid reflux disease to relieve heartburn naturally. The main benefit of home remedies for acid reflux and lifestyle changes in treating acid reflux is that they are currently the safest way to stop it from reoccurring. Over the counter acid reflux medicine and even most prescription medications mask the symptoms and ease the discomfort of acid reflux, but they will not provide any permanent relief. Surgery provides permanent relief, but that comes with additional risks.

Home remedies for GERD are also a more economical way to relieve the discomfort of acid reflux heartburn. Natural cures for acid reflux don’t just cover up the symptoms, like medications do, they actually treat the root causes of symptoms. So start your natural treatment and watch your GERD and heartburn vanish and your health improve. There are many natural acid reflux remedies and the following are some of them.

Lifestyle Changes

Lifestyle changes can be best home remedy for GERD and an important step in eliminating acid reflux. According to the Mayo Clinic, important lifestyle changes include avoiding alcohol and cigarettes, controlling weight, eating slowly and eating small, frequent meals. A food diary can also be helpful in controlling acid reflux. Make a list of every food consumed throughout the day and whether or not acid reflux occurred afterward. In most cases, trends will emerge and those foods should be eliminated from the diet. Time your meals and wait at least two hours after a meal before exercising.

Manage Stress

In some cases, anxiety and daily stress can trigger or exacerbate acid reflux. For individuals whose reflux is linked to tense emotions, the Mayo Clinic recommends engaging in relaxation techniques to better cope with stress. Potential methods include aromatherapy, listening to soothing music, hypnosis, massage, guided imagery and gentle exercise, such as walking or bicycle riding. Sufferers who learn healthy ways to alleviate anxiety may experience a reduction of acid reflux symptoms as a result.

Raise The Head Of Your Bed

If your heartburn is worse when lying down, then raising the head of your bed may be helpful in treating acid reflux naturally. Adjust your bed so that your head and chest are higher than your feet. You can do this by placing 15-cm (6-in) blocks under the bedposts at the head of the bed. Don’t use piles of pillows to achieve the same goal. You will only put your head at an angle that can increase pressure on your stomach and make your heartburn worse.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is considered one of the most effective acid reflux remedies and is found to be helpful in many people suffering from this condition. Apple cider vinegar for acid reflux is believed to neutralize the digestive fluids and also act against its production. The most effective method of consuming apple cider vinegar is by making a solution of one tablespoon apple cider vinegar per glass of water and drinking it during the meals. In some people, it may aggravate the symptoms initially, because of its acidic content.

Fruits and Vegetables

Some fruits and vegetables are also helpful in curing acid reflux disease. Fruits like apples, bananas and grapefruit peels, pineapple and papaya are capable of enhancing the process of digestion and are also rich in vitamins and minerals. It is believed that the consumption of carrots and cabbage can control the excess production of acids in the stomach. Dried figs are also found to be effective against this disease. Always try to consume fresh vegetables and fruits as these are natural ways to treat acid reflux.

Probiotics

Probiotics are bacteria which are beneficial for humans and are found in the digestive tract. Such bacteria are also present in some foods, like yogurt, buttermilk and kefir. They are effective in curing many diseases, like, yeast infections, thrush and antibiotic induced diarrhea and are also said to be helpful in the treatment of acid reflux disease. Probiotics can be consumed with water and the bacteria maintain the health of the digestive tract, thereby preventing many diseases including acting as acid reflux home treatment.

Water

Water is considered as one of the best home remedies for acid reflux. It dilutes the concentration of stomach acids and reduce the intensity of the heartburn sensation. Then the diluted acid is flushed out of the digestive system quite easily. One should take, at least two glasses of water after every meal.

Baking Soda

Baking soda can be found in almost every household and is popularly used for treatment of different problems. Prepare a solution with one tablespoon of baking soda in a glass of water, and drink it. As baking soda has basic chemical properties, it is good for neutralization of the stomach acids. Thus, it provides temporary relief from the stomach pain. However, pregnant women who have pre-eclampsia should avoid baking soda because it has high sodium content.

Almonds

Eat a few almonds after you get up in the morning. It brings down the abdominal discomfort caused by acid reflux. Make sure you chew the almonds properly or else, it can lead to some other digestive problem. Eating a clove has an amazing effect on the bloated feeling after meals. Milk, carrot juice, milk of raw coconuts, etc. are other natural ways to cure acid reflux.

Herbal Remedies for Acid Reflux

Several herbs have cured this digestive problem successfully. Here is a list of herbs that can be safely used in treating heartburn naturally. However, some herbal remedies may have serious side effects, and they may interfere with medications. So it would be better to consult your doctor about a safe dosage before beginning any herbal remedy. Some herbal remedies on how to relieve acid reflux symptoms are as follows:

Ginger improves your digestive health naturally and can act as a natural remedy for acid reflux. You can use powdered ginger, pickled ginger or even simple fresh ginger root for this purpose. Whenever the symptoms set in, chew a piece of ginger. This will relax the muscles in the esophagus wall and the pain and discomfort will subside.
The components of herbal tea, like peppermint and aniseed, have a soothing effect on the burning chest sensation. You can add some honey into the tea and have it on empty stomach in the morning.
The skin of grapefruit is another excellent herbal cure for heartburn. Remove the outer skin of organic grapes and allow it to dry by placing on a plate. Chew the dried grape skin when you feel the sense of fullness.
In some of the European countries, Aloe Vera juice is considered to be the best remedy for acid reflux during pregnancy. It is believed that aloe vera juice helps curing heartburn and to relax the inflamed esophagus. The Aloe Vera juice for acid reflux should be taken before meals for better results.
Chicory root is a powerful herb that can lessen the adverse effects of stomach acids in the esophagus to a great extent. Boil one teaspoon of chicory root in water for around ten minutes. Allow it to cool down before you take it. Though it is slightly bitter in taste, this concoction can reduce the severity of stomach irritation significantly.
Licorice root is also useful to control the production of stomach acids due to presence of a substance named mucin in it. This is available in the form of tablets which need to be chewed before the meals on a daily basis.
Herbal is also useful to cure acid reflux. Prepare a herbal tea using peppermint, aniseed and lavender herbs.·
Take equal quantities of all three herbs and soak them in two cups of water for around ten minutes. Strain out the herbs and add some honey into the tea. Now, your herbal tea is ready. You have to drink this tea two times daily, in the morning and after having dinner.

These were a few natural and effective remedies, which are safe for individuals of any age group. Apart from the above mentioned remedial measures, following a healthy lifestyle, eating a balanced meal and a proper exercise regimen, will help keep this disorder at bay. In case you don’t find relief in spite of taking these remedies, then it is better to consult a doctor who may diagnose the exact condition and provide appropriate treatment. The doctor may also suggest a diet which will help reduce the intensity of the symptoms and cure this disorder. Wish you good health!

The Best Over The Counter Acid Reflux Medicine

A step-by-step approach is usually recommended for GERD. This means that relatively uncomplicated treatments, such as changing your diet, will be tried first. If this fails to help control symptoms then a person can be ‘stepped up’ to more complex treatments such as antacids, which help neutralize the effects of stomach acid. In cases where medication fails to control symptoms, surgery may be required.

Best acid reflux medicine and over the counter treatments that may help control heartburn include:

Antacids that neutralize stomach acid. Antacids, such as Maalox, Mylanta, Gelusil, Rolaids and Tums, may provide quick relief. But antacids alone won’t heal an inflamed esophagus damaged by stomach acid. Overuse of some antacids can cause side effects, such as diarrhea or constipation.
Medications to reduce acid production called H-2-receptor blockers. H-2-receptor blockers don’t act as quickly as antacids, but they provide longer relief. Stronger versions of these medications are available in prescription form.
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) block acid production and allow time for damaged esophageal tissue to heal.

If these medications don’t relieve your symptoms, or if your heartburn symptoms get worse or persist for longer then a couple of weeks, you should see your doctor.

How to Get Rid of Acid Reflux Naturally Without Drugs

Do you want to know how to get rid of acid reflux naturally without drugs or how to stop acid reflux naturally without drugs? Studies show that the vast majority of global population suffers from heartburn at least twice in fifteen days, usually after the meal and end up feeling unpleasant with sourness in neck and chest area and even acidic taste in the mouth. Though most of over the counter drugs and medications are easily available these days, acid reflux sufferers still prefer resorting to organic home remedies for heartburn which are much effective and natural way to get rid of acid reflux, causing no side effects at all.

Though several medications and drugs, prevalent in the market for treatment of heartburn are effective, but after some point, even these medications start reflecting negative side effects if consumed for long time. When talking about how to get rid of acid reflux without medicine, natural home remedies for heartburn are totally organic and can easily be found in your own home.

A recent study by some of the most well known health practitioners globally indicate that natural remedies for acid reflux are 40% more effective than over the counter drugs and medications and this is the main reason why majority of people globally, prefer organic home remedies for heartburn and acid indigestion over several other drugs and medications available in the market to eliminate this condition. In reality, antacids and medications only work temporarily. The warning label even tells you to stop taking them after 2 weeks because antacids and medications only neutralize the stomach acid. This can actually make your acid reflux worse in the long run. So by using natural remedies to preventing acid reflux naturally, GERD can be treated safely and quickly.