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Natural remedies for acid reflux
Acid reflux is when digestive juices from the stomach get pushed up into the esophagus. Unlike the stomach, the esophagus is not meant to handle these juices and therefore has no protective lining, as a result of which you get what is known as heartburn, a burning and sometimes painful sensation in the chest, behind the breastbone. If you suffer from chronic heartburn, it is possible that you are suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD.
If this is the case, you should visit your doctor and find out whether there is a physical abnormality or any other condition that is causing the acid reflux, and whether drugs or surgery (in severe, unresponsive cases) is necessary.
If you suffer from acid reflux only occasionally, or even if your GERD is mild, some basic precautions and dietary changes should be enough to prevent attacks. Firstly, you should avoid eating large meals, particularly at night. Leave at least an hour's gap between your meal and bed time, and try to sleep with your head slightly elevated. You should also avoid tobacco, coffee, alcohol, chocolate, and aerated drinks. Avoid acidic foods and substances that cause acid secretion — fruits and vegetables like tomatoes and oranges, vitamin C supplements. As with any diet, do not go to an extreme by entirely stopping consumption of something, except for tobacco.
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