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Acid Reflux Treatments
Kindly advice some home treatments for acid reflux.
(29 Jan 2009)
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Acid reflux, commonly referred to as heartburn, is a burning and often painful sensation in the esophagus. This condition is usually related to the regurgitation of gastric acid or gastric reflux, mainly, the backflow of the acids from the stomach to the esophagus. It occurs, when the lower esophageal sphincter relaxes and the harsh juices or acids in the stomach, come back up, into the throat, often leading to tissue damage.
The most common symptom of acid reflux is a sharp pain that rises in the chest, which may radiate to the throat and the neck. Other common symptoms of this condition are nausea after eating anything, bloating or fullness in the stomach and discomfort or pain in the upper abdominal area. .
Although acid reflux is not a serious condition, it can cause a lot of pain and discomfort and therefore should be treated immediately. There are certain prescription drugs, over the counter medicines and dietary changes that could help alleviate the pain. However, most people prefer going in for natural remedies for acid reflux, as they are more easily available and are believed to have fewer side effects, as compared to medication. Given below are some home treatment acid reflux options:
- Almonds: Eat a few almonds every morning, or after your meals. Make sure that you chew them thoroughly, to maximize their effectiveness.
- Apple cider vinegar: This is regarded as the most effective natural remedy for acid reflux, as it is one of the “good acids”. Add a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to half a glass of water and sip the mixture while you eat.
- Skim milk: Cold milk is known to provide instant relief from heartburns and the symptoms of reflux. Drink a glass of cold skim milk to reduce the burning sensation and the acidity.
- Ginger root: Ginger is a great natural remedy for acid reflux. You could either chew on a piece of candied ginger, or you could add some pieces of ginger, while brewing tea.
- Apples: Chewing organic apples after your meals would help prevent bouts of acid reflux
- Fennel seeds or tea: Fennels seeds are an excellent natural remedy for acid reflux and other digestive related problems. They contain a compound, which suppresses stomach spasms as well as the spasms in the gastrointestinal tract. Chew on half a teaspoon of fennel seeds or drink a cup of warm fennel tea after meals
At times, acid reflux could be the symptom of underlying conditions, such as ischemic heart diseases and therefore, it should always be checked. Make an appointment with your doctor, in case you suffer from heartburn or acid reflux on a frequent basis.
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answered by M W on 25 Aug 2010, 5:19:28
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Reflux is when any bodily fluids flow backwards, that is, in the reverse direction to that in which they are normally supposed to flow. The term acid reflux is usually used to describe a condition known as gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD, in which stomach acids rise up into the esophagus, due to some problem in the barrier between the esophagus and the stomach. This is usually very uncomfortable, and can even be quite painful. Heartburn is a common symptom of acid reflux, but some patients also experience nausea and difficulty swallowing. In very severe cases that last for a long time, the constant irritation from the stomach acids may cause permanent damage to the esophagus. In this case, other symptoms such as cough and hoarseness may be present. Sometimes the acid reflux can also reach the throat, in which case chronic reflux will even end up damaging tooth enamel.
You have not provided any details about your condition, such as how long you have had it, how severe the symptoms are, or even what the symptoms are. If you experience the rarer symptoms such as cough, hoarseness, and nausea, you should ideally get a medical diagnosis as soon as possible. Sometimes medication may be necessary to control acid reflux, and in very rare cases, surgery may be needed.
Mild cases of acid reflux can usually be managed quite well without medical treatment. The main aim is to prevent the stomach from secreting an excess of digestive juices. For this, the intake of fatty foods, alcohol, coffee, and chocolate should be limited, as these substances tend to stimulate production of stomach acid. Avoid consuming these substances too often, and when you do consume them, you should do so in small quantities. In general, meals should be small - you should eat several small meals a day instead of eating two or three large meals. This allows the stomach to properly digest a small amount of food at a time, without stomach acid backing up into the esophagus. You should also avoid lying down soon after a meal, as this makes acid reflux more likely to occur. Dinner should be had at least an hour, and preferably two hours, before going to bed. Finally, when sleeping, you should adopt a position in which your upper body is elevated. High pillows will not do, as they will only raise your head - you need to use bed risers, so that the whole head of your bed is slightly elevated.
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answered by G M on 29 Jan 2009, 3:37:57
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