Acid reflux is a scientific way to describe heartburn. This affects many people when food has excessive acid content or when pancreatic juices travel back into the esophagus, causing frequent trouble. This acid solution splashing into the esophagus results in irritation, scarring and inflammation. Thus it slowly narrows the circumference of the esophagus.
The symptoms of acid reflux include burning, nausea, food getting stuck, hoarseness, wheezing, coughing, erosion of tooth enamel and asthma like symptoms. It also increases the chances for esophageal cancer.
The most important thing is to get to the root of the problem. Overweight people or older people are prone to be affected more as their abdominal fat interferes with the functions of the esophagus; this prevents backsplash which weakens with age.
Nothing ruins a great meal more than heartburn’s painful bout. There are over the counter medications available that are effective, but home remedies help without making the trip to the pharmacy. Regardless of whether you eat a spicy dish or fatty foods, there are natural remedies to put your belly in comfort and to soothe heartburn.
Occasional heartburn happens to most people. But if it happens regularly, you experience acid reflux that is also referred to as GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). Heartburn is one of the symptoms that is in association with chest pain and coughing. It is usually treated with dietary changes and antacids. Medications prescribed may prevent damaging the esophagus, while there are typical home remedies that are natural remedies for acid reflux to reduce acid reflux instances.
Natural Remedies for Acid Reflux
Healthy Weight: Heartburn happens to anyone and is prevalent in overweight adults. This is an excess weight found in the abdominal area. This results in stomach acids causing heartburn and working back into the esophagus. It is a must to lose weigh per week steadily such as 1 or 2 pounds. However, if you are a person with a healthy weight, follow a regular exercise and a healthy diet.
Foods to Avoid: The weight is an important factor, but there are foods triggering acid reflux risk and so you must know the foods to avoid so that it does not lead to further symptoms. The foods to avoid are:
Fried foods, high fat foods such as greasy and fast food products, tomato based products, alcohol, onions, garlic, caffeine, soda, citrus fruit juices, chocolate.
By restricting these triggers, you may experience very few symptoms. You may keep a food diary to help identify problem foods. This helps in avoiding the exact foods causing acid reflux.
Eat little, sit a little longer: Eating smaller meals results in less pressure to your stomach and this also prevents backflow of acids in your stomach. Eating smaller amounts reduces heartburn and thus make it a point to eat overall fewer calories. Also avoid lying down immediately after eating as it may trigger heartburn. It is best to give a gap of 2 to 3 hours after each eating. While sleeping keep the pillows elevated to avoid heartburn at nighttime.
Helpful Foods: Curing acid reflux cannot be done overnight as there is nothing called a magic food. The helpful foods are high protein meals with low fat. Reducing dietary fat decreases your symptoms and enough fiber and protein keeps you from overeating as it gives a full feeling. You may chew non-mint gum after each meal to increase saliva in the mouth and thus the esophagus will be free from acid.
Quit Smoking: Smoking causes heartburn. This is because it damages the esophageal lower sphincter that is responsible for preventing stomach acids. The LES muscles become weak on smoking and frequent heartburn is felt. So quitting smoking is helpful.
The following are some of the best natural home remedies for acid reflux which you can try:
1. Embark on a diet that is anti-acid reflux.
2. Eat raw almonds such that the food balances your pH as almonds are a good source of calcium.
3. Drink aloe vera juice two ounces daily
4. Start with a cup of fresh lemon juice in warm water in the morning. Drink it on an empty stomach and you will see a natural balance of acid levels.
5. Try baking soda, a tablespoon in half a cup of water; it is certainly effective, but not tasty.
6. Take apple cider vinegar daily 1-2 spoons. You can mix it with honey in tea or take lemon in tea.
7. Eat a red apple after meals.
8. Drink mint, chamomile or fenugreek tea so that it reduces the symptoms of acid reflux.
9. Sleep on your left side as it causes less pressure on your stomach and helps you gain relief.
Wearing Tight Clothing: Tight clothes have all chances to increase acid reflux. This is more when the bottoms are tight with belts causing extra pressure on abdomen.
Heartburn or acid reflux causes stress. The esophageal muscles keep the stomach acids down and so you must try relaxation techniques such that you relax your mind and body. Try practicing yoga that promotes mind and body awareness. Try quiet meditation as well as deep breathing so that you really tame the stress levels.
A spoonful of sodium bicarbonate or baking soda can put an end to the heartburn caused by acid reflux. Baking soda has a pH higher than 7.0, and so has the ability to neutralize stomach acid. You can repeat this drink, but not more than ½ teaspoon doses for seven times in a day.
The most important point is to watch what you eat. Remember to eat slowly and to take smaller bites. Allow your stomach to digest and do not keep pushing excess acidic foods. Keep a vigilant eye on what you eat. Keep away from foods triggering heartburn, especially high acid foods such as citrus or tomatoes or spicy foods. Also watch that you eat such as to maintain a time gap of 3-4 hours each time.
The above guide lines are good…as one who suffers rom GERD and as one who tried various meds like lansoprozal, as also some Ayurvedic Meds I find that the most important thing to remember is to note how the body is reacting to the foods you take–Next never eat to your fill take as Charak said— fill only one third of your belly. drink water up to another 1/3 and leave 1/3 empty.
Take one meal a day.
Cow Ghee is good. Half Teaspoon is good in the morning.
Honey is good. Take one T.S in the morning separately.
Night avoid food – take very light if needed. Fasting helps. REMEMBER NO MEDICINE IS A PERMANENT CURE CHANGE FOOD HABITS.
Extremely helpful tips for avoiding acid reflex. My sincere thanks.
The articles published in your website are very useful for our daily life. Can you please publish a collection of them periodically as books each year, grouped under different headings. If these are available at a decent price, people and organizations will benefit a lot.
B.Raman
I am having headache in the morning After tests It is found the oxygen level to brain is less during sleep Hence I have to increase the oxygen flow to brain. I need a natural theraphy / medicine to increase the oxygen flow to brain
very important instructions/information for life
eating habits and problems
sivasubramanian said his brain need more oxygen. Head ache in the morning is due to leathargic digestion. Solution is in taking more fibre in your meals.