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Treating Acid Reflux
What cure is there for acid reflux and what causes it also the signs
( 1 Oct 2009)
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Acid reflux can be treated quite effectively at home, but you need to understand what the condition is, and the causes that are relevant to you. The condition refers to the anomaly in which stomach acids flow back into the esophagus instead of remaining in the stomach. This can cause signs such as heartburn and chest pain or hoarseness.
Acid reflux if neglected can cause damage and ulceration to the esophagus making the consumption or swallowing of foods and fluids difficult.
Acid reflux can be caused by a variety of factors, but the most common causes would be dietary choices and lifestyle or eating habits. Dietary choices would imply the consumption of certain foods that can trigger or aggravate the condition like alcohol, coffee, spicy foods, fried foods, citrus juices and carbonated drinks. High fat foods can also contribute to the problem. Eating habits could also be a part of lifestyle and include habits such as irregular meal times or consuming large meals, overeating or eating meals soon before going to bed. Smoking is also a major cause for acid reflux and the condition may even be caused or triggered by the intake of certain medications. In some cases acid reflux may simply be a symptom of another condition that requires treatment such as hiatal hernia.
The most common signs of acid reflux would include a sensation of burning pain in the chest usually soon after eating, particularly at night. The pain is generally more accentuated after lying down or bending over. Acid reflux may even cause a burning sensation and hoarseness of the throat and discomfort. The condition can however be effectively treated at home as the causes in themselves are easily controllable. Simple changes in lifestyle and diet can help reverse the problem without resorting to pharmaceutical medications. Here are some important considerations –
- Avoid eating foods that are known to aggravate and trigger the condition such as spicy foods, alcohol, citrus foods, caffeinated drinks, and fried foods among others.
- Avoid overeating and try to switch to more frequent small meals instead of the normal two large meals.
- Never go to bed soon after eating. Your last meal should leave an interval of at least two hours before bedtime.
- If you are not sure about the causes keep a journal to identify the possible causes. It would also be wise to consult a doctor, particularly if you are on any medications that could be causing the condition. Your doctor will find some alternatives. Do not discontinue medications without his or her advice.
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answered by S D on 1 Oct 2009, 1:03:25
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