Content

• Steps

Increased acid secretion, also known as acid reflux or heartburn, is the irritation of the esophageal lining that occurs when acid secretes from the stomach into the esophagus. This is caused by a dysfunction of a muscle valve called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which normally keeps acid in the stomach. The LES may open too many times or close tightly, allowing the acid to leak through.Acid reflux is not a serious medical problem unless it is persistent and becomes chronic, this is called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and requires treatment. If you follow some simple steps, you can diagnose acid reflux and learn the natural cure.

See the section "When should you try this?" to learn more about when the natural acid reflux treatments work best.

Steps

Method 1 of 7: Adjusting your lifestyle to cure acid reflux

1. 

   
   
   Change the way you eat. You can change the type and amount of food you eat to improve acid reflux. Cut back on the amount of food each time you eat to reduce the pressure on your stomach. Don't eat for 2-3 hours before bed to reduce the risk of food pressed against the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) when you try to sleep.
   • Try to eat slowly, this will make it easier and faster to digest, thereby reducing the amount of stomach food that can put pressure on LES.

2. 

   
   
   Avoid irritating foods and drinks. You need to find the exact foods that trigger acid reflux. Keep track of your foods and beverages and watch out for whatever is causing the problem. Start by using a list of common triggers and adding foods or drinks that you know you are sensitive to. If a certain food is bothersome for about an hour after you eat it, remove it from your menu.
   • For example, your dinner is a meatball spaghetti with ketchup, and you have acid reflux within an hour of eating, then next time you should remove the ketchup. This time, if you don't have hyperacidity, you know that ketchup is the stimulant. If this persists, then the culprit is probably pasta or meatballs. The next day, you try the remaining noodles without meatballs and tomato sauce. If you still have hyperacidity then the thing that needs to be eliminated from your menu is the pasta.

3. 

   
   
   Change your habits. You can also change some daily habits to improve acid reflux. Wear comfortable clothing that doesn't tighten your stomach or abdomen to avoid putting undue pressure on your stomach and possibly acid reflux. You should also stop smoking because smoking increases the acid in your stomach.
   • Try to lose weight, especially if you are severely overweight or obese. Losing weight will help reduce the pressure on LES and reduce acid reflux.

4. 

   Review your sleeping patterns. Some people experience severe acid reflux at night. If you have this problem, raise the entire head of the bed so that gravity keeps the acid in your stomach. This way, the acid won't get into your esophagus at night and cause problems.
   • Adding pillows doesn't really help much because in this position the neck is often bent and the increased pressure aggravates the hyperacidemia.
   advertisement

Method 2 of 7: Use herbal remedies to treat acid reflux

1. 

   Talk to your doctor first. There are many herbal treatments for hyperacidity, but you need to be careful. You should check with your doctor before trying these treatments. In general, natural remedies are very safe, but it's best to make sure they are safe for you. Combining herbal remedies with lifestyle modifications can dramatically improve how you feel every day.
   • If you are pregnant, talk to your doctor about herbs to make sure they don't harm your baby.

2. 

   Drink aloe vera juice. Aloe vera is not only good for the outside body, but also has many healing uses. Buy organic aloe vera juice. Pour ½ cup (120 ml) into a glass and drink. Sips can be sipped several times a day, but aloe vera is laxative, so limit it to 1-2 drinks per day.
   • Aloe vera juice helps reduce irritation and acts as a neutralizer of stomach acids.

3. 

   Try apple cider vinegar. Although this may sound paradoxical, you can use apple cider vinegar to help with acid reflux. Mix 1 tablespoon of organic apple cider vinegar in 180 ml of water. Stir well and drink. You don't have to use organic vinegar, but it must be apple cider vinegar.
   • Other types of vinegar are ineffective and can make the condition worse.

4. 

   Make a lemonade. You can use citrus fruits to make a drink similar to carbonated citrus juices to help with acid reflux. Squeeze a few teaspoons of fresh lemon juice into the water. Add some honey or stevia if you prefer a sweet taste. Drink it before, during and after meals.
   • If you prefer, you can mix both juices together for a more enjoyable drink.
   • The excess acid in the juice tells the body that it needs to stop acid production by a process called feedback inhibition.

5. 

   Eat more apples. As the old saying goes, you should eat at least one apple a day. Apples are great for you and help soothe acid reflux. The pectin in the apple peel acts as an antacid.
   • If you don't like to eat apples simply, try adding apples to salads or smoothies.

6. 

   Drink ginger tea. Ginger has anti-inflammatory effects and is a calming agent. It also helps with nausea and vomiting. You can make your own ginger tea by chopping up about 1 teaspoon of fresh ginger and adding it to boiling water. Let stand for 5 minutes to soak. Pour into a glass and drink.
   • Ginger tea can be consumed at any time, but preferably 20-30 minutes before meals.
   • You can buy ginger tea bags if you don't have fresh ginger.

7. 

   Try other teas. You can make a variety of teas to help with acid reflux. Fennel helps to soothe the stomach and reduce acidity. Make fennel tea by crushing about 1 teaspoon of fennel seeds and adding it to a cup of boiling water. Add a little honey or stevia to make it easy to drink and use 2-3 cups a day 20 minutes before meals.
   • You can also use mustard seeds or powder to make the tea. Mustard has anti-inflammatory and acid-neutralizing effects. Dissolve the mustard in water into a tea. If you can, drink a teaspoon of mustard.
   • You can also try drinking chamomile tea for its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. Chamomile tea is available as a filter bag or as a loose leaf.

8. 

   Use other herbal remedies. There are a number of other herbs that can be used to improve acid reflux. Licorice Root Extract (DGL) is very effective for stomach healing and acid secretion control. This herb is available as a chewable tablet, but it will take some time to get used to its taste. The usual dosage is 2-3 tablets of DGL every 4-6 hours.
   • Try slippery elm. You can take 90-120 ml of slippery water or take it as a pill. It envelops and soothes irritated tissues. Slippery elm is considered safe for pregnant women.
   • Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions.
   advertisement

Method 3 of 7: Try other home remedies

1. 

   Mix in baking soda. Baking soda is alkaline, thus helping to neutralize acids. The same is true for acid in the stomach. Make this water by dissolving one teaspoon of baking soda in about 180 milliliters of water. Stir well and drink. This solution is very effective in neutralizing acids.
   • Remember that it should be baking soda, not baking soda. Baking powder has almost no effect.

2. 

   Chewing gum. After you eat, you will have a piece of gum that does not contain sugar. This therapy works because chewing stimulates the salivary glands to secrete bicarbonate. Bicarbonate helps to neutralize acid in the stomach.
   • Do not chew sugar-sweetened gum as it can increase the acidity of your stomach.
   • You can also chew mastic gum. Mastic gum made from mastic sap, also known as frankincense (Pistacia lentiscus), has antibacterial properties and is often used to treat H. pylori infections, often associated with stomach ulcers and hypercritical acid.

3. 

   Try doing tiptoes and lower heels. The chiropractic correction method commonly used to treat diaphragmatic hernias is also effective in treating acid reflux. Drink a glass of 180-240 ml of warm water in the morning when you get out of bed. Stand with your arms outstretched and folded at the elbows. Then clasp your hands in front of your chest. Stand on tiptoe on your toes, then lower your heels. Repeat 10 times.
   • After 10 tiptoeing and lowering of your heels, raise hands up high, breathe quickly, short and shallow for 15 seconds. Do this every morning until it helps.
   • This process is to re-adjust the stomach and diaphragm so that the hernia doesn't interfere with the esophagus.

4. 

   Use coconut oil. Coconut oil has antibacterial properties that help prevent acid reflux. It is probably because of this that chronic H. pylori gastritis responds quite well to this home remedy. H. pylori bacteria are often associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease.
   • Take 1/2 tablespoon of coconut oil mixed with warm orange juice, or drink directly if possible, three times a day. You can also take 1-2 tablespoons of coconut oil three times a day.
   • Stop drinking after three days, when symptoms have subsided.

5. 

   Eat probiotics. Probiotics are mixtures of bacteria commonly found in the gut, which may include the yeast saccharomyces boulardii, lactobacillus bacteria, and the beneficial bacteria bifidobacterium. These beneficial bacteria generally improve overall health, keep a healthy stomach and are usually naturally present in the gut.
   • You can easily get probiotics by eating yogurt with probiotic cultures. You can also take a supplement, but follow the manufacturer's warnings.
   advertisement

Method 4 of 7: Managing stress to treat acid reflux

1. 

   Take some quiet time. Stress, especially chronic stress, has been linked to acid reflux. To improve this, you need to relieve stress every day. To relax, go to a quiet room or a quiet place outdoors and breathe deeply for a few minutes. Slowly inhale through your nose and out through your mouth. Expiration time is twice as long as inhalation. If it is difficult to find time to breathe, you can count. Inhale as you count 6 to 8, and count 12 to 16 while you exhale. Repeat as many times as you want.

2. 

   Try progressive muscle relaxation. Stress is a very common problem, so the American Psychological Association (APA) has researched and devised many methods to help people relax. They recommend muscle relaxation techniques. This exercise is done while standing upright. Contract the muscles in your feet and lower legs, stretch as much as you can for about 30 seconds, then slowly relax. Continue doing that on your thighs.
   • Continue exercises for the hands and forearms, arms and shoulders, finally on the abdomen and diaphragm. Repeat every day.

3. 

   Enjoy the vacation in mind. The APA also advises that, no matter where you are, even if you can't have a real vacation, you can still enjoy a mental vacation. Take a few deep breaths, relax, and close your eyes. Imagine the best place you've ever been or a dream getaway.
   • Try to enjoy the whole holiday as much as you can, enjoy a scent, feel a breeze, listen to the sounds. Repeat every day.

4. 

   Try emergency stress relief. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends an emergency stress relief approach. They advise that, if you feel too stressed, count to 10 before you speak, take 3-5 deep breaths, leave the stressful situation and say that you will handle it later. You could also try taking a walk around to clear your mind.
   • To reduce stress, don't be afraid to say "I'm sorry" if you make a mistake.
   • Avoid stressful situations by taking your watch 5-10 minutes earlier so you don't get stressed by being late; Drive in slow lanes and avoid busy roads to stay calm while driving.
   • Break down big problems into smaller chunks. For example, answer mail or phone calls every day instead of handling everything all at once.

5. 

   Practice "hygiene" sleep. Sleep hygiene is a daily routine of sleep activities and sleep patterns. The National Foundation for Sleep Research (NSF) advises against napping during the day, as naps often disturb the normal cycle of sleep and wake. You should also avoid stimulants, including caffeine, nicotine and alcohol, too close to bedtime. Alcohol can help you fall asleep, but then disturbs your sleep when your body starts converting alcohol.
   • Only do vigorous exercises in the morning or late afternoon. Try more relaxing exercises like stretching or yoga at night to help you get a full night's sleep.
   • Avoid heavy meals, chocolates, and spicy foods at bedtime.
   • Ensure exposure to natural sunlight. Light exposure helps maintain a healthy sleep-wake cycle.

6. 

   Establish a routine for bedtime relaxation. Try to avoid emotional, physical, and mental turmoil before you go to sleep. Try not to brood in bed. If you find yourself reflecting on day events or problems in your mind, try getting up in about 10-15 minutes.
   • During this time, do something relaxing that you enjoy like reading a book, doing deep breathing exercises or meditating. Then try going back to bed.
   • Associate your bed with sleep. Don't watch television, listen to the radio or read books in bed. If you connect your bed to other activities, your body won't want to sleep while you're lying on it.

7. 

   Seek medical attention if needed. If you have consistently made lifestyle changes and tried natural remedies and still do not get better after 2-3 weeks, contact your doctor. You may need direct medical assistance.
   • If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should seek advice from your doctor about how to deal with hyperacidity. Do not try any of the above treatments without first talking to your doctor.
   • If you are on medication and believe that this is the cause of your hyperacidity, call your doctor and ask if you can change the medication or adjust the dosage.
   advertisement

Method 5 of 7: Take over-the-counter medications to improve acid reflux

1. 

   Take an antacid. There are many over-the-counter medications that can help with acid reflux. There are different brands, but often the same effect. Antacids help to neutralize stomach acids. Usually these drugs are used to treat for 2 weeks.
   • If after that time you still need to take antacids, you should consult your doctor because long-term use of antacids can affect mineral balance, affect the kidneys and cause diarrhea.
   • The foam barrier is a combination of antacid and foaming agent. When the tablet dissolves in the stomach, a foam forms and helps block the acid's passage into the esophagus. The only foam diaphragm on the market today is Gaviscon.
   • Follow the manufacturer's instructions and do not overuse the drug. Antacid overdose can cause some problems.

2. 

   Try an H2 blocker. H2 blockers are also a treatment for many different brands. This drug reduces the secretion of stomach acids, but not just as neutral as antacids. H2 blockers include cimetidine (Tagamet), famotidine (Pepcid), and ranitidine (Zantac). There are many over-the-counter types available at low doses, but your doctor can prescribe a higher dose.
   • Pay attention to side effects, including constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, headache, rash, nausea, vomiting, and problems with urination. Other serious side effects include difficulty breathing or swelling of your face, lips, throat, or tongue.
   • If using H2 blockers, follow the manufacturer's instructions.

3. 

   Look for proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). PPIs stop the stomach from producing acid in the same way as H2 blockers. You can try several, including esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid), omeprazole (Prilosec), pantoprazole (Protonix), rabeprazole (Aciphex), dexlansoprazole (Dexilant), and omeprazole sodium bicarbonate (Zegerid).
   • Side effects of PPIs are headache, constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, rash, and nausea. Long-term use of PPIs leads to a higher risk of osteoporosis-related fractures of the hip, wrist or spine.
   • Follow the manufacturer's instructions if you are taking PPIs.
   • If the medication does not work within 2-3 weeks, you need to see your doctor. Maybe you need stronger medicine, or maybe you have not only acid reflux, but other problems as well.
   advertisement

Method 6 of 7: Understanding acid reflux

1. 

   Recognize the symptoms. Acid reflux is quite common. Typical symptoms of acid reflux include heartburn, or a burning sensation in the chest. This can happen after eating or while sleeping. You may also experience a sour taste in your mouth, gas, dark or dark stools, burping or hiccups, nausea, a dry cough, or increased pain when you bend over or lie down.
   • You may also experience dysphagia due to a shrinking esophagus that makes you feel like your food is stuck in your throat.

2. 

   Learn about stimulants. Several factors can trigger acid reflux, including smoking, overeating, stress and lack of sleep. You may also be sensitive to certain foods and beverages such as citrus fruits, caffeinated drinks, chocolate, tomatoes, garlic, alcohol, greasy and spicy foods.
   • Certain medications such as aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), muscle relaxants, and blood pressure medications can make acid reflux worse. In addition, antibiotics, tetracycline, bisphosphonates, and some iron and potassium supplements can also worsen acid reflux.

3. 

   Understand the cause. The real cause of acid reflux is quite complex and often involves many different factors. Unlike the name suggests, the cause of acid reflux is not overproduction. Factors that contribute to acid reflux are pressure on the stomach or esophagus. This can be caused by pregnancy, constipation, being overweight or obese, or a diaphragmatic hernia when the upper part of the stomach moves up over the diaphragm.
   • The cause can also be due to an abnormality of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), abnormal contraction of the esophagus, slow digestion of the stomach.

4. 

   Diagnosis of acid reflux disease. The diagnosis of acid reflux disease - or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) if symptoms are more severe or persist longer - depends on the symptoms you tell your doctor. You may have an endoscopy through a small tube with a camera inserted into your esophagus. You may also need pictures such as x-rays and tests to measure the acidity levels in your esophagus. You may also have esophageal motion testing to measure and determine movement and pressure in your esophagus.
   • If you experience symptoms twice a week, if symptoms persist after trying over-the-counter medications such as TUMS chewable and other antacids, or having difficulty swallowing, nausea or vomiting. If you cannot eat, you need to call your doctor to make an appointment right away.
   advertisement

Method 7 of 7: When should you try this therapy?

1. Use herbal remedies for adults with acid reflux. Most herbal remedies for acid reflux are safe for most adults. However, it should be noted that some types may not be safe for children or teenagers. It's best to make lifestyle adjustments before treating puberty for acid reflux. If these don't work, consult your doctor or do some research before giving herbal remedies to your teen.
   • For example, you should not give aloe vera juice to a child under 12 years old as it can cause stomach upset, diarrhea and cramps.
2. Try natural remedies in moderation. Most herbal remedies and other natural remedies are safe in moderate amounts, but if you use too much the good properties turn into a bad thing quickly. When taking an herbal supplement, you need to read the label for dosage. If no dosage instructions are available, find out how much you can safely take.
   • Aloe vera juice, for example, can cause stomach upset and other types of digestive disorders, especially when the juice contains aloe resin. Long-term use in large amounts can cause kidney problems, muscle weakness and heart problems. Make sure every drink contains no more than 2,000 mg aloe or 50 mg of aloe resin to avoid complications.
   • Apple cider vinegar is generally considered safe to take in the short term, but taking 250 mg per day for several weeks or months can lead to a lack of potassium.
   • Prolonged high doses of licorice root can cause headaches, fatigue, high blood pressure, heart attack, and fluid retention. Do not drink licorice for more than 4 to 6 weeks.
3. Consider natural remedies if you're not pregnant or breastfeeding. Most natural remedies are safe if you are not pregnant or do not suspect that you are pregnant. However, acid reflux is often associated with pregnancy, so always talk to your doctor before treating your symptoms to make sure you don't harm your baby. It is important to do this before trying any of these natural remedies, or before making any dietary changes or lifestyle changes.
   • Likewise, if you are breastfeeding, you may need to avoid certain oral medications as they will enter breast milk and are not good for your baby. However, most of the changes in lifestyle are safe.
   • Therapies that may not be good for pregnant and lactating women include aloe juice, apple cider vinegar, ginger, dill, licorice, and slippery elm (but are not limited to those).
4. Exercise caution if you have other medical conditions. In addition to pregnancy, certain medical conditions can also make herbal remedies or natural treatments unsafe. If you have any other health problems other than acid reflux, you need to talk to your doctor or find out carefully before trying any of these home remedies.
   • Avoid aloe vera juice if you have diabetes, intestinal problems, hemorrhoids, or kidney problems.
   • Avoid apple cider vinegar if you have diabetes.
   • Ginger can cause problems if you have a blood clotting disorder, heart disease or diabetes.
   • If you are allergic to celery, carrots, or wormwood, you may also have an allergic reaction to dill. You should also avoid fennel if you have a blood clotting disorder or have hormone-related diseases, such as estrogen-related cancers.
   • Licorice root can cause problems if you have heart disease, heart failure, hormone-related cancers, fluid edema, high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease or potassium deficiency.
   • If you have an immune system disorder, you may need to avoid taking probiotic supplements.
   • In addition, you should also consult your doctor to avoid herbal remedies while taking certain medications, including medications for congestive heart failure, insulin, diabetes medications, stimulant laxatives, and medications. blood pressure, diuretics, anticoagulants, antiplatelet agents, birth control pills, antibiotics, or estrogen pills.
5. Treat acid reflux after consulting your doctor. While most adults can safely be treated with natural remedies at home, it's never redundant if you ask your doctor to confirm your diagnosis and talk to your doctor about options ahead of time. when making any major changes. This is even more important if you have tried home remedies but to no avail.
   • If your condition gets worse after taking natural remedies or your symptoms don't improve after two to three weeks, you may need an appointment with your doctor to see your doctor.
   • If you have acid reflux symptoms more than twice a week, or if you cannot swallow or eat because of them, contact your doctor before trying home remedies.
   • In addition to giving you advice on treating and prescribing stronger medications to treat your acid reflux, your doctor can confirm it as acid reflux to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms.
   advertisement