Relief from lifestyle changes and over-the-counter medications is usually temporary. Rather, it's a burning sensation in the chest that occurs when stomach acid returns to the esophagus, the 10-inch tube that connects the mouth to the stomach. Going to bed with a full stomach of food can trigger acid reflux and worsen heartburn symptoms. Avoid eating within 3 hours before bedtime so that your stomach has enough time to empty.
You may also want to wait at least two hours before exercising. Some beverages, such as coffee and alcohol, can increase symptoms of acid reflux. Replacing these drinks with decaffeinated herbal teas can help reduce the likelihood of acid reflux.
Home Remedies for
Acid Reflux May Be as Close as Your Kitchen.Honey, ginger, baking soda, bananas, turmeric and apple cider vinegar are some natural remedies that can help relieve heartburn in the short term. It can be difficult to know what to do when heartburn occurs. With such a variety of over-the-counter (OTC) treatments, various herbal remedies or other natural remedies and prescription drugs available, choosing the right treatment can be an adventure. Most medications used to treat heartburn, both prescription and over-the-counter, have undergone rigorous testing and studies to establish their safe and effective use, but what about natural remedies? You've probably seen long lists of natural cures for heartburn, or maybe you've had friends or family who rely on baking soda or apple cider vinegar to relieve heartburn, but what does the evidence say about these methods? Avoiding diet triggers, eating several small meals instead of fewer large meals, losing weight, quitting smoking, and avoiding lying down for a few hours after eating can help reduce acid reflux.
Talk to your healthcare provider before trying any natural remedy for heartburn, acid reflux, or GERD. These are for treating GERD, not occasional heartburn, and include two types of medications that suppress acid production. However, green bananas are less alkaline, have a lot of starch and, in fact, can be a trigger for acid reflux for some people. However, although several studies suggest that coffee and caffeine may worsen acid reflux in some people, the evidence is not entirely conclusive.
The reason for the link seems to be that excess fat around the abdominal area puts pressure on the stomach, causing the body to work harder to keep the acid low. Normally, the diaphragm naturally strengthens the lower esophageal sphincter, which prevents excessive amounts of stomach acid from leaking into the esophagus. Papain in papaya (which is an enzyme that dissolves carbohydrates, speeds up metabolism, decreases inflammation, and treats constipation) is also great for acid reflux. When combined with dietary and lifestyle changes, home remedies for acid reflux may be enough to calm the burning sensation in the chest that occurs when stomach contents move into the esophagus.
For mild and occasional heartburn, over-the-counter medications, such as antacids and histamine blockers, can help relieve symptoms. Luckily, I was able to remedy my acid reflux with some simple diet and lifestyle changes, and Park says you can too. Citrus fruits are a clear no for acid reflux, but pectin that promotes digestion and pH-balancing tartaric and malic acid found in apples are a definite yes. Other people may find that home remedies are sufficient to reduce acid reflux and relieve symptoms.
One thing that relieves my acid reflux every time is mint, which Trattner says is one of the most prescribed herbs for digestion. .
