How To Treat Acid Reflux Effectively

The food is digested in the stomach by certain acids in the stomach which break it down. Acid reflux is the burning sensation in your chest, usually accompanied by an acidic taste in the throat. This is due to a backward flow of the acid from the stomach.

This backward flow of the acid is due to the failure of the lower oesophageal sphincter which is a ring of muscle at the entrance of the stomach. This muscle acts like a valve, such that the acid in the stomach does not move back.  Persons experiencing acid reflux may experience bloating, stomach pain, chest pain, heartburn, sore throat, excessive burping, difficulty in swallowing or a burning sensation in the chest or throat.

Acid reflux can be diagnosed by several ways, but if you are experiencing any of the above symptoms you must immediately visit your doctor. There are some simple ways of treating acid reflux at home by means of eating the right diet and following the right lifestyle. Here are some ways to treat acid reflux:

Best Ways To Treat Acid Reflux

Healthy Food

Eating the right food which are rich in fiber and vitamin content is a good start to treating acid reflux. Consume fresh fruits and vegetables and avoid having spicy, oily and sour food. Increasing the quantity of probiotic food like yoghurt, comprising of microorganisms that neutralize toxic compounds helps to counteract acid reflux effects.

Fibrous food facilitates easy bowel movements. Chewing almonds either in the mornings or after meals and eating apples after a meal also helps to reduce the impact of acid reflux. You must avoid having alcohol and smoking as these habits tend to increase instances of acid reflux.

Small Meals

Reducing portion sizes, even though the number of meals in a day may be up to six helps to reduce this occurrence. A large and quick meal makes the oesophagus prone to acid reflux as this weakens the lower oesophageal sphincter.

Smaller portions on the other hand, are easy to digest by the stomach as the amount of food on which the stomach acids have to act upon is lesser, thereby increasing their effectiveness and facilitating digestion.

Have The Right Liquids

A table spoon of baking soda in half a glass of water can provide quick relief as this increases the alkalinity in the oesophagus. Slippery elm, a tree extract, helps to thicken the mucosal layer of the stomach thereby creating a barrier against effects of gastric acid.

Aloe Vera juice helps to calm inflammation of the oesophagus. All these liquids can be taken during the week in turns as these help in calming the stomach and reducing acid reflux.

Ginger And Herbs

Ginger juice is likely to be more effective than any medicine from a pharmacy. A daily dose of one teaspoonful helps in keeping acid reflux at bay.

A fresh piece of ginger grated or chopped is added to a glass of water and boiled. It is then cooled and consumed. Cardamom and chamomile are some herbs used to soothe the stomach. Apple cider vinegar also helps to manage acid reflux.

Water And Chewing Gum

Chewing gum helps in the production of saliva which acts as a buffer for acid. The chewing motion also make one swallow more, thereby exerting a downward pressure on the oesophagus.

Drinking water helps to dilute the stomach and wash down any food or acid. It is always recommended to keep your body sufficiently hydrated to keep away all acidity related problems. Drink atleast 6 to 8 glasses of water during the day and have plenty of soups and juices as well.

Sleep Right

Sleeping the right way is an important part of acid reflux treatment. Sleeping on the side, especially on the left is known to reduce the effects of acid reflux. Sleeping on the stomach can however exaggerate the effects.

 It is recommended that there should be a three hour gap between having a meal and sleeping. One can even elevate the head side of the bed while sleeping as this helps in reducing the effects of acid reflux.