{"id":607,"date":"2017-06-08T02:44:01","date_gmt":"2017-06-08T02:44:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=607"},"modified":"2021-03-10T20:32:37","modified_gmt":"2021-03-10T20:32:37","slug":"15-home-remedies-acid-reflux","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/15-home-remedies-acid-reflux\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Home Remedies for Acid Reflux"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Acid reflux is an unpleasant condition that can be painful, unsettling and actually quite embarrassing. This causes us to regurgitate amounts of food after eating, which often can be quite painful as this includes stomach acids which can burn the esophagus and the mouth.<\/p>\n

If you struggle with acid reflux, then you\u2019ll know that this can make it hard to enjoy your food, it can feel rude when you\u2019re a guest (no one likes to see their guests regurgitating what they dished up!) and it can hurt.<\/p>\n

Making matters worse is the fact that acid reflux can strike at any moment and often you don\u2019t have any option but to swallow the food again.<\/p>\n

So it\u2019s not nice. Fortunately, there are a number of relatively effective treatments you can use in order to solve the problem or at least alleviate some of the pain. Read on to discover some of the best solutions for acid reflux. Fifteen to be precise!<\/p>\n

1. \u00a0Baking Soda<\/h3>\n

Acid reflux is caused usually when the esophageal sphincter is loosened, thereby causing food and acid to make its way back up the food pipe and into the mouth. This causes burning as the acid attacks the esophagus and it causes the embarrassing situation of having a mouth full of what you ate an hour earlier.<\/p>\n

The acid is the problem here then and it\u2019s also what makes this condition dangerous \u2013 as over time this can cause serious damage to the food pipe leading to potential esophageal cancer<\/a>.
\nBaking soda fights this problem by acting as a powerful antacid and thus neutralizing the effects of the acid. Take a spoonful of sodium bicarbonate and mix it with a little water. The high pH will help to provide instant relief in many cases.<\/p>\n

\"\"2. \u00a0Water<\/h3>\n

Water can help you to alleviate acid reflux in a number of ways. Firstly, it can wash food and acid back down the esophagus and into the stomach, thereby instantly addressing the problem.<\/p>\n

At the same time, drinking water will help you to cool and soothe the area that is in pain, just like putting an ice pack against an injury.<\/p>\n

Finally, water is also needed to produce saliva and digestive enzymes inside the stomach. One of the most common causes of acid reflux infact is dehydration<\/a>. Bottom line? Drink more water!<\/p>\n

\"\"3. \u00a0Gum<\/h3>\n

Chewing gum might also be an effective way to reduce the likelihood of acid reflux.<\/p>\n

This is because it will help to encourage the production of saliva<\/a> which as we\u2019ve already discussed, helps to break down food in the mouth and in the stomach. It also encourages the stomach to produce more digestive enzymes.<\/p>\n

The big benefit of chewing gum comes when you chew it for around 30 minutes following a meal. Be warned: chewing gum when you\u2019re not eating can actually make more issues as this causes the production of stomach acid in an empty stomach \u2013 leading to burning and damage of the stomach lining.<\/p>\n

\"\"4. \u00a0Aloe Juice<\/h3>\n

Aloe vera<\/a> is a plant that is commonly used to treat all kinds of different types of pain and discomfort. It can be placed on a rush for instance, or on sunburn.<\/p>\n

The beneficial effects of aloe juice are that it can help to combat inflammation and at the same time, soothe pain. Both these things are beneficial when you are struggling with acid reflux.<\/p>\n

The best way to use this is to mix three teaspoons with up to eight ounces of water then sip.<\/p>\n

\"\"5. \u00a0Eating More Slowly<\/h3>\n

One of the biggest causes of acid reflux<\/a> is simply eating too quickly. When we eat quickly, this causes us to swallow food in larger pieces, which in turn can then get stuck and force open the LES (lower esophageal sphincter). Not only that, but eating quickly causes us to take in large gulps of air as we\u2019re swallowing which in turn can also sit uncomfortably in the stomach and even cause hiccups and gas that further increase the likelihood of acid reflux.<\/p>\n

Eat more slowly by making an effort to chew your food a set certain number of times each time you eat any item or any meal.<\/p>\n

This will also help you to produce more saliva, thereby further breaking down food. As an added bonus, chewing food more and eating more slowly have both been shown to aid with weight loss!<\/p>\n

\"\"6. \u00a0Sitting Up Straighter<\/h3>\n

If you tend to sit in a hunched position when you\u2019re eating, then this will cause the stomach to become bunched up as well. This forces the LES<\/a> a little closer to the food and thereby makes it easier for food and acid to travel the wrong way once again.<\/p>\n

A simple way to reduce your chances of getting the problem then is just to sit up straight while you\u2019re eating.<\/p>\n

Likewise, think about what you do immediately after eating. Exercise at this point is of course a bad idea but so too is lying back on the sofa. Make a habit of chatting at the table for ten minutes before you retire to the bedroom or the living room.<\/p>\n

\"\"7. \u00a0Antacid<\/h3>\n

Sometimes the best remedy is simply to buy a product designed to treat the issue you\u2019re facing. Don\u2019t make the mistake of thinking that \u2018natural is better\u2019 \u2013 you can end up struggling with uncomfortable effects for no reason.<\/p>\n

An OTC antacid such as Gaviscon<\/a> will work well in a lot of case and provide instant relief while also reducing the likelihood of it continuing further. Keep some in the cupboard if you know you\u2019re prone and try a few to find the best product for your particular case.<\/p>\n

\"\"8. \u00a0Reduce Stress<\/h3>\n

If you are dealing with stress, then you will experience a higher than average chance of developing acid reflux. Stress makes us eat faster, breathe faster and it makes us produce hormones<\/a> that interrupt with our digestion (because who needs digestion when you\u2019re running from a lion?).<\/p>\n

Even low level chronic stress can affect our digestion negatively and in the long term, poor nutrient absorption can even lead to malnutrition.<\/p>\n

If you struggle with acid reflux a lot then, look into the possibility that stress might be the cause and see how you can combat this. Learning meditation is one tool but so is looking at the cause of the stress and changing career\/lifestyle.<\/p>\n

\"\"9. \u00a0Apple Cider Vinegar<\/h3>\n

Whenever we feel heartburn<\/a> or acid reflux coming on, our natural inclination might be to reach for the alkaline antacids. After all, we all know that these problems are caused by acid and you can feel that as well. So of course what you\u2019re going to want is a treatment that combats that acid. Right?<\/p>\n

Well actually, sometimes the fact that the acid is making its way up the esophagus can be caused by not having enough stomach acids.<\/p>\n

This is why consuming diluted apple cider vinegar can actually be helpful at combating the problem. Try it and if it doesn\u2019t work, then you know for next time to stick to the antacids!<\/p>\n

\"\"10. \u00a0Yogurt<\/h3>\n

Yogurt is a great choice for anyone struggling with indigestion for the same reason it\u2019s useful for a sore throat: it\u2019s soft, cooling and comforting.<\/p>\n

But the benefits of yogurt go beyond that. That\u2019s because yogurt contains live cultures of healthy bacteria. Their job is not only to help you prevent bad bacteria in your stomach (preventing an infection) but also to help you digest your food and produce more digestive enzymes.<\/p>\n

If you have recently finished a course of antibiotics, then this may have killed off your healthy bacteria. This could be at the route of your acid reflux, so solve the issue with yogurt<\/a>!<\/p>\n

\"\"11. \u00a0Banana<\/h3>\n

Bananas are once again soft, smooth and soothing for those with acid esophagi. But at the same time, they also act as another natural antacid, helping to alleviate symptoms of acid reflux. Not enough reason for you?<\/p>\n

Then how about the fact that banana can also absorb fluids like acid in the stomach. And how about the fact that they contain potassium<\/a>, which may help to reduce spasms in the stomach muscles?<\/p>\n

\"\"12. \u00a0Ginger Tea<\/h3>\n

Ginger tea is another great solution for combating stomach acid.<\/p>\n

This is something that mums around the world have been giving to their children, thanks to its ability to sooth the stomach and combat inflammation.<\/p>\n

Slice a few bits of ginger root<\/a> and steep in tea for three minutes then remove. You\u2019ll be left with warm water that has been infused with the nutritious properties of ginger. This also works for a range of other stomach upsets.<\/p>\n

\"\"13. \u00a0Loose Clothes<\/h3>\n

Another common cause of acid reflux and indigestion<\/a> is wearing clothes that are too tight. If you have a tight belt for instance, then this can cause pressure on the stomach, essentially reducing the amount of space available for your food.<\/p>\n

That in turn causes it to get pushed upward toward the LES \u2013 like squeezing the bottom of a tube of toothpaste.<\/p>\n

To avoid this problem, wear looser clothes and try unbuckling a notch on your belt.<\/p>\n

\"\"14. \u00a0Timing<\/h3>\n

Timing is important too, as is generally considering what you choose to do after you\u2019ve eaten. We all know the importance of not eating right before bed \u2013 lying prone increases your likelihood of indigestion and acid reflux several fold.<\/p>\n

Likewise though, avoid exercise<\/a> (definitely swimming!) or eating right before you need to go on a long walk.<\/p>\n

\"\"15. \u00a0Look for Your Triggers<\/h3>\n

Finally, if you keep experiencing acid reflux, it could be that you are struggling with an intolerance to a certain food, or just that you struggle to digest a certain food. Particularly common are various fats<\/a>, meats and dense, fibrous foods like purple sprouting broccoli.<\/p>\n

Keep a diary and look for the things you eat and when your reflux occurs. What you may find is that there are certain foods that often leave you clutching your stomach afterward and simply by removing these from your diet, you might be able to prevent it from happening.<\/p>\n

At the very least, you can cook those foods a little more to soften them up further, or you can just be more careful to chew thoroughly when you have them!<\/p>\n\r\n

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