Acid Reflux Remedy - Relief and Recommendations
If you need an acid reflux remedy you are in the right place. Acid reflux or gastro esophageal reflux disease - GERD and the accompanying heartburn, affects millions of people. Heartburn can occur after a large meal or be triggered by certain foods, but when it is reoccurring, it is known as GERD.
What is it and how can we prevent it? Acid reflux occurs when the stomach contents push back up through the lower esophageal sphincter (the valve between the esophagus and the stomach). This is the same thing that happens when we belch. Ordinarily gravity keeps the sphincter closed and the food down. For many reasons, sometimes a lack of muscle tone, which in some instances is caused by lack of protein, food mixed with stomach acid comes back up. Lack of muscle tone in the sphincter is often caused by a diet high in fat or excess caffeine.
Acid reflux can also be caused by an overproduction of hydrochloric acid in the stomach.
Acid Reflux Symptoms
burning in your chestgas, belching bloatingnauseaan acidic or sour taste in the mouthirritation in your throatdifficulty swallowingGERD can also lead to a more serious condition called Barrett's esophagus, when the cells in the lining of the esophagus change.
Due to massive advertising, one of the main ways people find an acid reflux remedy, is by taking antacids.
If I have too much acid I simply take a pill to stop the production of acid, right?
Wrong!
Unfortunately, masking the symptoms rather than finding the right acid reflux remedy can be very detrimental to your health, especially long term.
What's Wrong With Antacids?
Antacids like: TumsAcid blockers, called H2 antagonists such as:TagametPepcidProton Pump Inhibitors or PPI's, LosecPrevecid
stop your stomach from producing acid.Antacids also contain excessive amounts of sodium, aluminum, calcium, and magnesium, so prolonged use can lead to serious mineral imbalances. Excess sodium aggravates
high blood pressure
and excess aluminum has been linked to Alzheimer's disease.
When you take antacids the production of acid is blocked, so they will mask the symptoms of your acid reflux or GERD. However, hydrochloric acid and the digestive enzyme pepsin, play an important role in breaking down and digesting food in order for your body to use the nutrients. Pepsin needs an acidic environment in order to work. With long term use of these medications, the stomach becomes "lazy" and the production of hydrochloric acid is reduced, resulting in hypochloridria. The indigestion continues and when you stop taking these medications the problems are often much worse. Long term use of antacids will exacerbate the situation. But by all means if you are taking medication consult your doctor first before making any changes.
Causes of Acid Reflux
Your stomach may be producing too little hydrochloric acid due to: ageoverusing antacidsmedicationpoor dietinfectionor it may be over-producing hydrochloric acid due to: poor diet - especially processed foods, white sugar, white flour, coffee, soft drinks, etc.stressanger and negative emotionsinability to eliminate toxinsdehydrationlack of exercisepoor digestionmedicationdisease
A pH test
done over 5 days, testing the pH of your saliva and urine can indicate the levels of hydrochloric acid your stomach is producing. This test is essential and very efficient in determining exactly how acidic your body is, how your digestion is working as well as how well your lymphatic system is eliminating acidic waste.
Other causes of acid reflux
Hiatal hernia - the upper part of the stomach and the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is pushed up through the diaphragm (the wall between the abdomen and the chest) this shows on an x-ray. Some people have hiatal hernia and experience no symptoms, others experience heartburn and chest pain. Osteopathic treatments or surgery can help bring the stomach back in it's place.gall bladder problemsstressallergiesenzyme deficienciespregnancyoverweightvery tight clothing that places pressure on your stomachsmokinglack of protein or muscular tone
Common food triggers include:
alcoholcoffee, both regular and decaf, and things containing caffeine; colas, etc.chocolatecitrus fruits and juices fats, fatty foods, fried foodsmints or pepperminttomatoes and tomato-based foodsspicy foods, pizza, chili, currymilkonions
Food allergies and intoleranceswheat ordairy, etc, often accompanied by gas, bloating and other allergic symptoms
Painkillers such as: ASA (Aspirin) Ibuprofen (Advil, Medipren, Motrin) COX-2 Inhibitors (Celebrex)other medication, check with your doctor
Your Acid Reflux Remedy
Follow a
healthy diet
Do not eat and drink at the same time. Drink at least 1 hour before or after meals so as not to dilute the digestive enzymes. Eat smaller portions, more often.Don't overeat.Check for food allergies or intolerances. Stop eating foods 1 at a time for a period of 4 or 5 days and then reintroduce them to test for food intolerances. Chew your food very well! At least 20 times, until liquid form.Eat slowly and take time to digest your meals.Do not eat too many different foods at once.Get regular exercise, walking or biking or low impact aerobics. Avoid running and weight lifting or anything that puts pressure on the stomach. Do not exercise right after eating.Lose weight if needed.Avoid eating 2 to 3 hours before sleeping.Wait at least 3 hours after eating before lying down.Reduce stress or learn to better manage stress, avoid anger.Determine any emotional causes. Is there something you are literally having trouble accepting or digesting in your life? Is there something eating away at you? Is there something you need to communicate with a loved one? Work out with a trained therapist?Avoid foods that cause symptoms. Check the common food triggers mentioned above and determine if you need to avoid all or some of them. Ensure you are getting enough protein.
Acid Reflux Remedy using Herbs and supplements:
Use digestive enzymes Aloe vera juicePure liquid chlorophyll
Herbal teas:Chamomile to relieve esophageal irritation
Herbal teas to aid in proper digestion: CatnipFennelGingerMarshmallow root Papaya tea >b>It's very important to
test your body's pH
to see if your body is overly acidic or not. As with any pain or illness, your body is trying to tell you something. Find the cause, make the necessary changes for your acid reflux remedy, follow the steps needed to attain optimal health.
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