Natural Ways of Managing Acid Reflux

As we grow older, the muscular valve of the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LEC) weakens. This means that the LES is usually less efficient in preventing stomach content leakages into the esophageal in older people. When such is the case, natural acid reflux occurs. The chronic condition also occurs if a person has a protrusion of the upper stomach to the thoracic area (hiatus hernia). Most of us know natural acid reflux simply as heart burn. Medically referred to as reflux esophagitis, acid reflux affects 10 percent of the entire population in the United States on a daily basis.

Simply perceived as a problem that occurs due to increased acidity in the stomach, most people are quick to self-medicate with over the counter pills which offer relief for the same. The drugs are mainly proton–pump inhibitors or H2 blockers manufactured and marketed by drug companies. However, Much as this seems fast and convenient way of dealing with natural acid reflux, medics state that the drugs work by reducing hydrochloric acid in one’s stomach hence compromising the body’s ability to efficiently digest food. This increases a person’s chances of suffering persistent degenerative diseases especially as they grow older. Worse still, the reduction of stomach acid by the over the counter drugs reduces the body’s defense against food-borne disease thus increasing the likelihood of suffering more bouts of food poisoning.
Medics usually recommend ways that can effectively balance the stomach acid without severe effects. Such includes drinking sufficient water in order to normalize the pH in the stomach by diluting the acid. Other options include eating foods that contain enzymes that hasten the digestion process. Such includes papaya and apple cider vinegar. These foods work in preventing natural acid reflux by increasing the digestion rate; food is able to pass to other parts of the stomach before leaking back to the esophagus.

Minding one’s diet could also be part of the solution to natural acid reflux problems. Salts, oils, spices, nuts, fats and over processed foods should be eaten in moderation. Such increases the chances of developing indigestion, which often manifest itself as heartburn, constant belching, satiety or regurgitation.  Exercising also aids in digestion, which means that people who exercise often will be at a reduced risk of developing natural acid reflux since the physical activity helps jumpstart the digestion. Other natural acid reflux remedies include quitting smoking, reducing weight in obese people, and avoiding tight clothes around the stomach area especially in people who suffer abdominal obesity.

Often, a physician will recommend a person to try out the natural acid reflux remedies first before prescribing medicine. In cases where the acid reflux has caused injuries such as reflux esophagitis, esophageal stricture, Barrett’s esophagus or esophageal adeno-carcinoma, surgery might be recommended.

GERD Symptoms and long-term relief

GERD stands for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, and it's a common disease that effects millions of Americans every year.  Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease can be found from children to the elderly to fit, healthy people in the prime of their lives who suffer from no other obvious diseases.

GERD symptoms include heartburn, dyspepsia, regurgitation, chest pain, dysphagia and many others.  Most people who suffer from Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease usually suffer from it at night time.  Medicinenet.com has a list of tips to provide nightime relief from GERD symptoms:

Prevent heartburn by limiting acidic foods, such as grapefruit, oranges, tomatoes, or vinegar

Spicy foods giving you heartburn? Cut back on pepper or chilies.

Don't lie down for two to three hours after you eat. When you are sitting up, gravity helps drain food and stomach acid into your stomach.

Enjoy lean meats and nonfatty foods. Greasy foods (like French fries and cheeseburgers) can trigger heartburn.

Want to avoid GERD symptom triggers? You may want to cut back on chocolate, mint, citrus, tomatoes, pepper, vinegar, catsup, and mustard.

Avoid drinks that can trigger reflux, such as alcohol, drinks with caffeine, and carbonated drinks.

Personally I've suffered from GERD symptoms for most of my adult life.  They were triggered by a seemingly innocuous lunch I had about ten years ago at a steakhouse.  I ate a hamburger wtih bacon, and ever since my stomach has just not been the same.  I've speculated, as has my doctor, that the fact the beef was aged may have had some long-term impact on my digestive system.  Either way, I've not been the same since.

In the interim, I've had to stop eating all dairy since I've developed some sort of lactose intolerance.  I also have to avoid cooked tomatoes and milk chocolate.  Thankfully I've been provided some relief by medicines like Pepcid, Alka-Seltzer and Rolaids.  One thing I'll warn against, though, is relying too heavily on Alka-Selzer since it includes aspirin, which itself can trigger acid reflux and other GERD symptoms.

That said,  it's a useful medicine as long as you're responsible about when you take it.  Doing so just before bedtime - or any time when you're laying down - is not a good idea.  Right in the morning is more reasonable and beneficial long-term.

Right before bed time a more useful medication would be pepcid, which settles your stomach for hours at a time and controls acid production rather than just the symptoms.

Acid Reflux Treatment within Your Reach

There are many acid reflux treatment options that have been proposed ranging from basic home remedies to surgery for severe cases. It can also include lifestyle modifications, diet modifications and prescription drugs. Perhaps the most effective acid reflux treatment among all of these is lifestyle modification. This form of treatment aims, not at alleviating the discomforts that come with acid reflux, but at preventing it. When you think about it, is also the easiest way to treat this problem. A hectic lifestyle and work-related stress increases heartburn and has been shown to lead to various other health problems. But how does stress got to do with acid reflux? When people are under stress, they do not follow the normal meal routines and exercise and as a result, they are likely to develop complications with acid reflux.

Regular exercise works by releasing chemicals known as endorphins that help in digestion. Sleeping also helps to relieve stress and a good night sleep of seven to eight hours will usually do the trick. Eating a balanced is a requirement, not only to healthy individuals but more so to those with acid reflux. How you eat and the amount can also help alleviate the problem. Eating large meals expands the stomach and this in turn increases the upward pressure against the esophageal sphincter. Overeating and eating too fast has also been shown to cause the problem. Thus, watch, not just what you eat, but also when and how you eat.

Acid reflux treatment is also right at home in what are called home remedy solutions. Some of these remedies have been shown to be quite effective and may be worth a try. One of these is Aloe Vera. The cool property of Aloe Vera lessens the acid level intensity and thus alleviates its discomforts. Ginger has also been shown to keep the system light and when consumed in small quantities it can also improve the digestive system. Acid reflux treatment can take many approaches and most of these include making few lifestyle changes. A balanced diet, avoiding smoking and drinking and having enough sleep are all changes that can alleviate the symptoms. Avoiding spicy oily foods can also help as well as cold soda drinks. Eating apples, garlic and fresh black pepper is also helpful. Indeed, how true that an apple a day, not only keeps the doctor away but also, keeps the acid down.