Showing posts with label GERD. Show all posts
Showing posts with label GERD. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Natural Remedies For Acid Reflux - An Amazing Solution

Acid reflux disease is also known as heartburn or GERD (gastro esophageal reflux disease) and it is caused by stomach acid refluxed back to esophagus from the stomach. The common symptoms of this disease include discomfort, burning sensation through esophagus after meal; difficulty is swallowing, throat pain and breathing problems. Natural remedies for acid reflux diseases are the promising solution for long painful discomfort caused by the disease. Actually there are some amazing natural remedies including herbs that are the best solution for eliminating acid reflux disease for rest of the life.

There are many medicines available over the counter as well as many medical professionals prescribe antacids as well as anti histamines for acid reflux, however antacids are basic in nature and reduce the affect of acids and antihistamines reduce acid formation in stomach. Both the medicines can cause severe damage to stomach if taken for a long period and therefore should be avoided for long periods.

There are numerous natural remedies that have been practices since thousands of years and are still being treated as the best proven solutions for eliminating the acid reflux permanently. One of the best habits to keep this disease at bay is to take the proper food. Fatty and spicy foods should be avoided as these can aggravate the problems. Certain citrus fruits are also responsible for enhancing stomach acid production and therefore these should also be removed from your daily diet. Some fruits including papaya, banana and apple can help in reducing the stomach acid formation and therefore should be included in the diet.

Apple cider vinegar is amongst the best natural remedies for its treatment and if diluted apple cider vinegar is taken half an hour before meal, it amazingly help in eliminating the acid reflux or GERD.

Acid Reflux – lifestyle Changes Can Help Cure GERD

It is natural to get heartburn occasionally. It can be somehow unpleasant, but usually it's nothing to worry about. However, if you get it regularly, it might be caused by acid reflux disease.

Acid reflux is known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, or GERD. It is a state of chronic abnormal reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus. It is caused by the dysfunction of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). This sphincter is located at the opening of the stomach and it is a small ring of muscle. When it is not closed as tight as it should be, acid from the stomach will leak into the esophagus, causing this burning sensation. With time, it can corrode the lining of the esophagus causing ulcer and increasing the likelihood of esophageal cancer.

Watch out for the following symptoms because it means that you might have GERD:

-Persistent and frequent heartburn - This is the most obvious symptom, as well as the most common. Usually acid reflux sufferers experience heartburn several times a month. Oddly enough, some do not have heartburn at all.

-Acid Regurgitation - It is often reported that there is regurgitation of acid into the back of the throat, and sometimes all the way into the mouth for people with GERD. It might be accompanied by food from the stomach but not all the time.

-Persistent cough - Some sufferers develop a dry cough. When certain nerves in the lower esophagus are stimulated by the stomach acid it usually causes dry cough. But it can also be caused by acid irritating the throat.

-Choking sensation - It feels like a piece of food is stuck in the throat while in fact there is none.

-Croakiness or wheezing - When damage is done to the throat or esophagus, it will cause this sensation. It occurs usually in the morning. Besides, GERD can aggravate existing asthma.

Acid Reflux Treatment

You should definitely talk to your doctor if you have some of the symptoms above. If you are diagnosed with GERD, your doctor can prescribe some medications known as proton inhibitors. You can also try herbal remedies that can help in many cases. Surely enough, some lifestyle changes can provide relief without resorting to any medication. These include:

-Stop alcohol and tobacco consumption - They can make the symptoms of acid reflux worse. More acid is actually produced by the stomach when alcohol is consumed and the LES gets relaxed so more acid leaks. Smoking has the same effects; in addition, it causes saliva reduction, which provides a natural defense against refluxed acid.

-Weight loss is a must - Excess weight can make GERD worse because it increases pressure on the abdomen.

-Know what food to avoid - Stay away from fried and fatty foods, citrus fruits, tomatoes, chocolate, and spicy foods. Get into the habit of eating smaller meals to reduce abdominal pressure.

-Raise the head of your bed - When you're laying flat, acid escapes the stomach. That's why you might feel heartburn at night more than any other time. Sleeping slightly inclined can help. Also don't eat and sleep immediately.

It can be painful to have acid reflux but it can be cured with minor lifestyle changes and some medications.