GERD

GERD or gastro-esophageal reflux disease is the abnormal reflux of acidic stomach contents into the esophagus resulting to pain characterized as a burning sensation in the chest most commonly known as "heart burn".

There can also be a sour taste at the back of your throat due to the reflux of acid. For some, it can also lead to hoarseness because of the irritation of the vocal cords by the refluxing acid.

The main cause is the inability of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the one that keeps stomach contents IN the stomach, to properly do its job. The LES is an involuntary muscular sphincter that relaxes to allow food from the esophagus into the stomach.

Many episodes of heartburn happen after a full meal. The increased pressure inside the stomach from being full overwhelms the LES and a small amount of acidic stomach fluid squirts through to the esophagus to cause heartburn.

Persistence of GERD triggers an unwanted adaptation of the esophageal lining from a stratified squamous cell to a columnar cell population.

Simply put, the normal cells lining the esophagus become columnar in shape for better adaptation to the acidic environment. Furthermore, gland cells start proliferating in the esophagus to produce a protective mucus lining. In essence, because of the increasingly acidic environment in the esophagus created by GERD the normal esophageal histology mimics gastric (stomach) histology for better adaptation.

This resulting histologic finding is what we call a Barrett's esophagus. It is a pre-malignant condition and is a precursor of esophageal adenocarcinoma.

With such a serious complication, it is very important to get rid of GERDs as soon as possible.

Natural Cures for GERD:

Over-the-Counter Medications:

There are a lot of OTC medications available as a home remedy for hyperacidity and gastrointestinal dysmotility.

They are all very useful and can alleviate the symptoms of GERD Antacid tablets can help for slight hyperacidity but for moderate cases the anti-acid production tablets (i.e. omeprazole, esomeprazole, rabeprazole) are best.

Cramping pain associated with GERD can also be alleviated by taking anti-motility tablets (i.e. hyoscine).

Warm Compress:

To get rid of GERD symptoms of pain, apply a warm compress on your stomach for 10 mins at a time.

This is an effective home remedy and a natural cure for stomach pain associated with GERD.

Avoid Certain Foods and Drinks:

A natural cure that can get rid of GERDs is simply avoiding certain foods and drinks that increase the acidity in the stomach.

Spicy foods, carbonated drinks, coffee, and some fruit juices increase the acidity in the stomach.

Sour foods are naturally acidic and add their own acids to that of the stomach further increasing the acidity of the stomach environment.

Avoid sour fruits too.

Chocolates, oily and fatty foods don’t really increase acidity as much as the other ones but they decrease LES pressure allowing some of the acid to flow back to the esophagus, causing heartburn. Avoid these too.

Never take Pain Medications:

The pain you experience with GERD can be so severe as to prompt you to take NSAIDs. NEVER do this for it will aggravate the condition.

If in case your home remedies and natural cures don’t work, immediately consult a physician or go to your nearest emergency facility because there can be some other things going on or you need stronger medications.