Home Remedies For Acid Reflux (GERD) – 8 Best And Useful Ways
What Is Acid Reflux/GERD?
Home Remedies For Acid Reflux – Periodic heartburn (acid reflux) can happen to anyone.
If you have acid reflux more than twice a week, you may have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In this case, heartburn is just one of many symptoms, along with cough and chest pain.
GERD is usually treated with over-the-counter (OTC) medications, such as antacids, and changes in lifestyle or diet. In severe cases, prescription medications may be needed to prevent damage to the esophagus.
While medications are the most common form of GERD treatment, there are some home remedies you can try to reduce instances of acid reflux. Talk to a gastroenterologist about the following Home Remedies For Acid Reflux.
Best And Amazing Home Remedies For Acid Reflux
1- Control Your Weight
While heartburn can happen to anyone, GERD appears to be more common in overweight or obese adults.
Excess body weight, especially in the abdomen, puts more pressure on the stomach. As a result, you face a higher risk of stomach acid backing up into the esophagus and causing heartburn.
Control your weight with a balanced diet and regular exercise. Talk to your doctor if losing weight can help relieve GERD symptoms.
2- Know What Foods And Drinks To Avoid
There are certain foods and drinks that are known to increase the risk of acid reflux. With GERD, you have to be careful about things that can trigger symptoms. Try to avoid the following foods and drinks:
- Ketchup and other tomato-based products
- High-fat foods, such as fast food and fatty foods
- Fried food
- Citrus juices
- Soda
- Caffeine
- Chocolate
- Garlic
- Onion
- Mint
- Alcohol
By limiting or avoiding these triggers, you may experience fewer symptoms. You can also keep a food diary to identify problem foods.
3- Eat Some, Sit Some More
Eating smaller meals reduces pressure on your stomach, which can prevent stomach acid from refluxing. By eating smaller meals more often, you can reduce heartburn and consume fewer calories overall.
It is also important not to lie down after eating. This can cause heartburn.
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) recommends propping your head up with a pillow to help prevent heartburn at night.
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4- Eat Healthy Foods That Help
There is no magic food that can cure acid reflux. However, in addition to avoiding trigger foods, some other dietary changes can help.
First, the American Academy of Family Physicians recommends a low-fat, high-protein diet. Reducing your dietary fat intake can reduce symptoms, while getting enough protein and fiber will help you feel full and prevent overeating.
Try to include some foods in your diet that can help control acid reflux. After each meal, you can consider chewing gum without mint. This can help increase saliva and prevent acid from entering the esophagus.
5- Quit Smoking
If you smoke and have heartburn or GERD, quitting smoking can improve your condition.
Smoking damages the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which is responsible for preventing the backflow of stomach acid. When your LES is weakened by smoking, you may experience more frequent heartburn attacks.
Passive smoking can also be a problem if you have acid reflux or GERD.
6- Explore The Potential Herbal Remedies
Home Remedies For Acid Reflux – The following herbs are used for GERD:
- Chamomile
- Licorice
- Marshmallow
- Slippery Elm
They are available as dietary supplements and tinctures, as well as teas.
The downside of this herb is that there is not enough research to show that it can treat GERD. In addition, they may interfere with the medication you are taking; consult your doctor before using it.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate herbs and supplements.
However, personal testimonials report that herbs can be a natural and effective way to reduce GERD symptoms. Make sure you buy herbs from a trusted source.
7- Avoid Tight Clothing
You are free to wear whatever you want, although tight clothing can worsen GERD symptoms.
Wearing clothes that are too tight can increase the number of acid reflux episodes. This is especially true for tight pants and belts, both of which put unnecessary pressure on the stomach, contributing to the risk of heartburn. If you notice symptoms of heartburn, try adding looser clothing to your wardrobe.
8- Try Relaxation Techniques
GERD itself can be very stressful. Since the muscles of the esophagus play an important role in keeping the stomach acidic, it can help to learn techniques to relax the body and mind.
Yoga has tremendous benefits in promoting awareness of mind and body. If you’re not a yogi, you can try silent meditation and deep breathing for a few minutes a few times a day to reduce your stress levels.
The Bottom Line
Home Remedies For Acid Reflux can help relieve occasional episodes of heartburn as well as some cases of GERD. When long-term untreated acid reflux occurs, you are at greater risk of damaging your esophagus. These can include ulcers, narrowed esophagus, and even esophageal cancer.
These medications alone may not be effective for acid reflux and GERD. Talk to your gastroenterologist about how some of these medications may complement your treatment plan.