10 Best Home Remedy For Acid Reflux

Heartburn and acid reflux are similar to each other, but despite what the name implies, the condition has no relationship with the heart. Instead of that, acid reflux is a burning sensation in the chest. The condition occurs when the acid in the stomach comes up to the esophagus (the tube that connects your mouth to your stomach). When acid reflux occurs, the condition can last for just a few minutes or take several hours. Either way, acid reflux gives people an uncomfortable feeling. But do not despair, you can make acid reflux treatment at home, or if you are a pregnant woman, you can try the home remedy for acid reflux during pregnancy.
You will learn the following from this post:

What is Acid Reflux?

Occasionally, anyone can experience acid reflux. However, if you suffer from acid reflux more than two times a week, you may be suffering from a more severe condition called GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). In this case, acid reflux is just one of the many symptoms of GERD, including chest pain and coughing.
You can treat GERD with over-the-counter medications like antacids, including dietary and lifestyle changes. However, if you are suffering from a more severe case, you may need prescription medications to prevent esophagus damage from frequent cases of acid reflux.
While conventional medicine is the most common form of treatment for acid reflux or GERD, there are also some natural remedies for acid reflux you can try to reduce the condition.

Risks Associated with Acid Reflux

The following factors can increase the chance of a person having acid reflux or developing GERD:

• having a hiatal hernia
• smoking or being exposed to secondhand smoke
• being obese or overweight
• being pregnant
• taking certain medications like:

• calcium channel blockers, a certain type of blood pressure drugs
• benzodiazepines, a class of sedatives

Complications Associated with Acid Reflux

Complications Associated with Acid Reflux

Without treatment, acid reflux can result in serious complications. These complications can include the following:

• Esophagitis: This condition results from the inflammation of the esophagus, which can lead to bleeding and ulcer.

• Barrett’s Esophagus: This condition involves the replacement of the tissues lining the walls of the esophagus with the tissue that resembles the intestinal lining. In a small number of people, it causes esophageal cancer.

• Esophageal Stricture: This condition results from the narrowing of the esophagus.

Besides the issues in the esophagus, acid reflux or GERD can result in complications in other parts of the body. The following are some of those complications:

• Tooth decay
• Hoarseness
• Inflammation of the voice box
• Asthma
• A chronic cough

Medical Treatment for Acid Reflux

Acid reflux medical treatment consists of surgery and medication.
Surgery
Surgery is usually done when medication and lifestyle changes do not reduce the symptoms of acid reflux. Doctors, therefore, may advise one of the following procedures:

• Endoscopy: This is a procedure only appropriate for a small number of cases. A doctor will insert a tube with a camera attached; the tube will go down the patient’s esophagus, and then the doctor can thereafter deliver a treatment.

• Bariatric Surgery: This procedure is also known as weight-loss surgery. A doctor may recommend this type of surgery for people suffering from obesity.

• Fundoplication: generally, fundoplication causes long-term improvement, so it is a common type of surgery for acid reflux and GERD. Fundoplication involves sewing the top of the stomach to the end of the esophagus, which will elevate the pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter and reduce the symptoms of acid reflux.

Medications
The following are medication options for acid reflux:

• Antacids: Your doctor may recommend antacids (over-the-counter medication) for the relief of mild acid reflux and GERD symptoms. You should not take antacids for severe symptoms or for daily use without first confirming from your doctor.

• Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs): Your doctor may recommend proton pump inhibitors for long-term acid reflux treatment. PPIs lower the production of acid in the stomach, even more than H2 blockers.

• H2 Blockers: Like the PPIs, H2 blockers lower the production of acid in the stomach. You can get them either by prescription or over-the-counter.

Home Remedies to Treat Acid Reflux

Home Remedies to Treat Acid Reflux

The following are acid reflux natural cures that can give your relief from your symptoms:

1. Avoid Some Common Food Triggers

Certain beverages and foods may trigger the symptoms of acid reflux. Common food triggers of acid reflux include the following:

• mint
• fatty or fried food
• spicy foods
• coffee and other caffeine sources
• acidic foods, such as

• citrus fruits
• tomatoes

• alcoholic drinks
• chocolate

2. Eating Habits during Meals

Besides the foods that people eat, the way they eat these foods can also make a significant contribution to acid reflux. The following eating habits are recommended during meals:
Eat Smaller Meals
Large meals digest slowly, putting more pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter, eventually worsening symptoms. So, to prevent the onset of symptoms, you should eat smaller meals more frequently instead of bigger meals less often.
Eat Bigger Meals Earlier
Even such activities as having small snacks before bed can make acid reflux flare up overnight. This is partly due to posture change while the body is still trying to digest. You can have the main meal at lunchtime and make your dinnertime meal lighter to avoid this condition. You can also try having dinner early instead of right before bedtime – this will allow the body to have more time to digest the food.
Eat in a Relaxed Environment
To aid digestion, you should ensure that you have your meals in an environment as relaxed as possible. Any extra stress could make the muscles tense up, which in turn could worsen the symptoms of acid reflux.
Focus only on Eating during Meals
Try to avoid giving yourself unnecessary stress during meals, such as tending to children or going to the kitchen frequently while you are having your meal.

3. Eating Habits after Meals

The posture of a person and the activities they engage in after a meal may affect the digestion of the food. The following suggestions will reduce the symptoms of acid reflux:
Sit Up Straight
Gravity helps control acid reflux, so keeping an upright position for some hours after a meal can help prevent heartburn or acid reflux. This tip means that you should avoid taking a nap immediately after meals.
Elevate the Head when Sleeping
If symptoms occur when a person is asleep, they should try to change their sleeping position so that their esophagus is higher above their stomach. For instance, you can insert a wedge under the head of your bed to elevate it. This will make the esophagus higher than your legs.
Avoid Certain Activities after Eating
You should not do any physical activity after eating because that could cause the abdominal muscles to contract, making food go up into the esophagus and resulting in heartburn. Also, you should avoid bending over after a meal, such as lifting objects or cleaning the floor.

4. Stop Smoking

There are connections between smoking and the symptoms of acid reflux. In a certain study, researchers observed the effect that stopping smoking had on people with acid reflux and GERD that were already smokers. They discovered a significant reduction in symptoms. Their discovery made them conclude that doctors should recommend quitting smoking on those that smoke and have acid reflux or GERD.

5. Manage Your Weight

The issue of acid reflux is becoming more prevalent in the United States. The primary factor behind this prevalence is the rise in obesity rate. While studies have not concluded that weight loss through dietary changes can help heartburn and GERD, data has revealed that weight loss through gastric bypass surgery can reduce the symptoms of acid reflux.

6. Take Supplements

Supplements can help in the reduction of acid reflux symptoms.
Ginger
Ginger supplements can help reduce GERD symptoms and acid reflux in children. In a research, children tolerated the supplements well and only exhibited side effects when the doses were above 5 grams per day. However, ginger is not ideal for people with a bleeding disorder because it is a potent blood thinner. Also, if you will have a surgical procedure, you should discontinue the intake of ginger supplements.
Licorice
For a long time, Liquorice has been used to reduce the symptoms of gastric inflammation. Licorice has shown improvements in small studies whose participants suffer from acid reflux. However, licorice contains some properties that can result in side effects, such as high blood pressure. Therefore, you should consider deglycyrrhizinated licorice that will not cause these effects.

7. Avoid Putting Pressure on the Belly

Putting pressure on the belly may aggravate the symptoms of acid reflux.
Avoid Wearing Tight Clothing
Not wearing tight clothing is a way you can reduce putting pressure on your belly. Therefore, avoid putting on tight everyday clothes and clothing items that outline the body shape.
Avoid Certain Exercises
Avoid practising some exercises that may put pressure on the belly, such as:

• leg lifts
• situps
• stomach crunches

8. Practice Breathing Exercises

Breathing exercises can significantly reduce symptoms in people suffering from acid reflux. Breathing exercises can also reduce the need for taking acid-suppressing medications and ultimately improve the quality of life.
People with acid reflux that take drug therapy may get more relief if they mix the therapy with professional breathing exercises. An instance of a breathing exercise that can help relieve acid reflux is belly breathing. You can practice belly breathing while sitting, standing, or lying down. Follow the following steps:

• Place one hand below the ribs and the other hand on the chest.
• Breathe in deeply through the nose. The belly will rise and push up the hand. Keep the chest still.
• Through pursed lips, breathe out as slowly as you can. This can resemble a soundless whistle. Allow the hand on the belly to sink down as the breath leave your body.
• Repeat slowly three to ten times.

9. Employ Potential Herbal Remedies

The following herbs have been effective for treating the symptoms of GERD and acid reflux:

• Slippery elm
• Marshmallow
• Licorice
• Chamomile

These herbs are available in supplement and tincture forms. You can also get them as teas. The disadvantage is that there is insufficient proof to show that they actually work to relieve GERD symptoms. Also, they might interfere with medications you may already be taking. So, consult with your doctor before using them. Unfortunately, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) does not vouch for herbs and supplements.
All in all, people who use them agree that herbs are the best home remedy for acid reflux. However, make sure that you purchase your herbs from reputable sources.

10. Know Which Foods and Drinks to Avoid

No matter how much you weigh, certain known trigger foods and drinks can put you at a higher risk of acid reflux. With GERD, you should be watchful of items that can cause symptoms. Try keeping yourself away from the following foods and beverages:

• Alcohol
• Mint
• Onions
• Garlic
• Chocolate
• Caffeine
• Soda
• Citrus fruit juices
• Fried foods
• High-fat foods, such as greasy foods and fast food products
• Tomato sauce and other tomato-based products

By avoiding and limiting these triggers altogether, you may experience fewer symptoms of GERD or acid reflux. It will also be a good idea to keep a food journal that will help you identify foods you shouldn’t take. Shopping for a food journal is relatively easy.

Final Thoughts

Natural remedies for acid reflux can help reduce the occasional episodes of acid reflux, including some cases of GERD and heartburn. However, when prolonged, uncontrolled acid reflux occurs, that will put you at a higher risk of esophageal damage.
However, you should understand that home remedies alone may not work for acid reflux. Consult a gastroenterologist about how some of these natural remedies can complement a medical treatment plan.