Acid Reflux

We see commercials on television quite often for medications to relieve acid reflux. There are natural cures and home remedies for acid reflux that do not have prescription medication’s side effects or high costs.

GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) is caused when the opening between the esophagus and the lower esophageal sphincter; when the sphincter relaxes at the wrong times, allows stomach content to flow upward into your esophagus. 

Normally this opening, a muscular valve, called a sphincter, only allows food to travel from the mouth to the esophagus, and into the stomach, and keeps the food and digestive acids in the stomach.

The acid that occurs normally in the stomach does no harm, because the stomach has a natural lining to protect it from the acid. The esophagus doesn’t, and the acid can eat away at the esophagus causing severe pain and eventually be quite damaging. 

Often acid reflux is exacerbated by use of common anti-inflammatory medications, so try to remember if you started taking any new medications as your acid reflux began.

Home Remedies for Acid Reflux:

Life Style Changes:

Some common sense approaches to acid reflux can help sufferers without any medications at all.

• If you smoke, stop. I know this is easier said than done, but acid reflux is one of the less harmful conditions smoking causes, and a decision to stop smoking can really alleviate the symptoms of acid reflux. 
• Don’t drink alcohol. If you do drink alcohol, don’t drink for two or three hours before you go to bed.

Losing even small amounts of weight can make all the difference in your comfort as far as acid reflux is concerned. 

• Eat small meals. Don’t eat fried, fatty foods, heavily spiced or heavily seasoned foods, onions, garlic, orange or tomato juice, coffee, chocolate, peppermint or spearmint.
• Four to six small meals are far healthier than one to three large meals. This will help relieve acid reflex by allowing the small amounts of food eaten throughout the day to digest more thoroughly so there is little in your stomach to back up into your esophagus and cause acid reflux. 
• Don’t lie down for at least three hours after eating. Raise the head of your bed six to eight inches by putting blocks of wood under the bed posts.  Just using extra pillows will not help.

Apple Cider Vinegar:

There is no question that the vast majority of people who have tried taking apple cider vinegar (also available in pill form in health food stores) have gotten relief from it. 

The standard dosage is two Tablespoons in water three times a day. More can be taken after a heavy meal. 

Adding acidophilus bifidus capsules can help and many people advocate taking magnesium capsules or baking soda and water along with the apple cider vinegar. 

Some people even drink pickle juice, and as a result, have experienced complete relief from acid reflux.