GERD Alternative Treatments

Esophagus is a long tube which connects the mouth to the stomach.



Gastro esophageal reflux disease or GERD is a disorder of the muscles at the end of the esophagus or lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The LES fails to close properly and thus causes the acidic contents from the stomach leak back in to the esophagus and irritate it. Esophagus can not tolerate the acid and enzymes as it is not protected by a mucus membrane like stomach and thus causes symptoms like heart burn, acid reflux and acid indigestion.



The juices if managed to reach at the back of the mouth can cause acidic and bitter taste. Chronic regurgitation of the acidic contents in the esophagus may even cause scaring and ulceration of the esophagus. Certain home remedies for GERD and lifestyle modifications can help patients to deal with the symptoms.

Try the listed below natural remedies for GERD.

• Weight – Obese or over weight individuals are at a greater risk for developing GERD. Excess weight especially on your tummy can put pressure on the abdomen and cause the acidic stomach contents to regurgitate back in the esophagus.
  
  
  
  A natural treatment for GERD is to control your weight to achieve your ideal body weight. But don’t go on any fad diets or quick weight loss programs and this can worsen the situation. Prefer to lose weight gradually and not more than ½ kg per week.
• Eat smaller meals – Don’t dump your stomach with food as this can put extra pressure on the LES and push the acid in the esophagus.
  
  
  
  You can have small divided meals at regular intervals. However avoid eating a fatty meal or a heavy meal especially at dinner and preferably keep a gap of at least 2-3 hours between meal time and sleeping time.
• Avoid lying or bending – Especially after meals avoid lying or bending down. Picking a paper is fine, but longer periods of gardening can aggravate the symptoms.
  
  
  
  Also don’t lie down immediately after eating as this can cause the stomach contents to flow in the esophagus easily. If your symptoms are worst then you may even need to sleep with your head up in an elevated position or even sitting position.
• Eliminate the triggers – Common triggers for heart burn and acid reflux include mint, caffeine, alcohol, chocolate, nicotine, onions, garlic, tomatoes and its products, and fried and fatty foods. The best natural remedy for GERD is to learn to identify the triggers and eliminate it for certain period.
• Tight clothes – Avoid wearing clothes that fit tightly around your waist as these can put pressure on the stomach and LES.
• Quit smoking – Smoking not only interferes with the digestion process but may also increase the stomach acid. To quit smoking is a very good home remedy for GERD. Smoking can also cause swallowing of air which can build pressure in the stomach and aggravate heartburn and acid reflux.