Acid reflux is a disease that happens when the acidic gastric juices reach the esophageal lining and irritate it. There are many acid reflux cures available, ranging from home remedies to medications and surgeries. Let's discuss them one by one.
I. Home Remedies
A. Diet for acid reflux
Dietary changes are important if you'd like to prevent acid reflux attacks from interfering in your life. This means you should stay away from fatty and acidic food because they make the digestive system work too hard, which leads it to produce more acids and make your situation worse.
The food you should avoid are those high in fat, oil, butter, spices, citrus, tomato-based products, caffeine, chocolate, and even junk food and desserts high in fat.
On the other hand, here are some safe foods for acid reflux:
- Food rich in complex carbohydrates like bread, cereal, graham crackers, pretzels
- Apples, either the pulp or the juice
- Banana
- Baked potato
- Green leafy vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, carrots
- Legumes and lentils like green beans and peas
- Meat low in fat like extra-lean ground beef and skinless chicken breast
- Egg whites
- Fish without added fat
- Low-fat dairy products
- Low-fat salad dressings and desserts
B. Practical habits
Likewise, practice good habits every day to keep you away from acid reflux. Here are some of them:
1. Don't eat in large amounts to prevent your digestive system from working too hard. Also, chew your food well.
2. Wait for two hours after eating before you go to sleep or lie down, to make sure the stomach contents stay where they should be.
3. Raise the head of your bed by six to eight inches to ease nighttime heartburn.
4. Don't wear tight clothes nor anything tight around the waist to avoid the pressure around it.
5. Stop smoking. Nicotine can make the lower esophageal lining relax too much.
II. Medications
There are certain drugs that work by stopping the production of too much acids in the body. Caution must be exercised when taking these medicines because they might pose some unwanted side effects when you take them without a doctor's advice.
1. Antacids. They are the first to be recommended by health professionals as an acid reflux medication. They work by neutralizing the acids in the digestive system and by promoting the production of mucous and bicarbonate. Taken in for the relief of mild symptoms, antacids can be bought over the counter without the doctor's prescription.
2. Histamine blockers. Aptly named so, they work by stopping the action of histamines. Histamine is a chemical that incites the production of acids in the body. Histamine blockers are for people with frequent and severe cases of acid reflux. But they will only last for six to twenty-four hours.
III. Surgical Procedures
1. Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication is the most well-known form of surgery to treat acid reflux. This procedure is done by tightening the walls of the esophagus near the stomach and adding pressure to the lower esophageal muscles. When increased pressure is created between the stomach and the esophagus, stomach contents are prevented from going upwards.
2. Intraluminal endoscopic surgery is performed by using a small optical, tubular instrument that is inserted inside the body to let the doctors view the inner parts which need surgical attention. This is preferred by many patients as it is quick and poses minimal risks, therefore, promises a faster recovery rate.
IV. Apple Cider Vinegar
This has been used by many to treat other conditions, like allergies, acne, sinus infections, flu, high cholesterol, candida, chronic fatigue, contact dermatitis, sore throats, gout and arthritis. This can be used to treat acid reflux as well. Just add two or more tablespoons to eight ounces of water and drink it three times a day.
V. Herbs For Acid Reflux
There are certain herbs you can try to lessen or avoid acid reflux episodes. These include ginger, peppermint, chamomile, ginger, licorice root and catnip. Just take them in tea or capsule form after meals to help your digestive system work smoothly and to soothe stomach tissues.
These are just some of the best acid reflux cures you can try. See which works. And for another natural treatment for acid reflux, read my review on a book that had helped thousands of former acid reflux patients cure their condition permanently and naturally. Just head over to my blog for more info.
By: Juana Cruz
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Would you like to know the best natural acid reflux treatment? It's the ebook "Heartburn No More" by Jeff Martin, who has found a totally holistic way of curing acid reflux. This has helped thousands of other people get rid of their acid reflux forever, and you might, too. Read my review on it on my Acid Reflux Natural Cure blog.
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