Almost everyone has had the unpleasant condition commonly called “heartburn” at some time or other. Of course when you have heartburn your heart is not really on fire, although the burning sensation you feel in the chest when heartburn strikes may make you feel as though it was! Heartburn sensations can also be felt in the throat and quite often strike at inconvenient times, like at night when you are trying to sleep.

Taking a common antacid medication is usually an effective remedy for the occasional mild attack. But regular use of antacids can result in unpleasant side effects such as upset stomach, high blood pressure and even ulcers. Therefore the best way to deal with heartburn is to try to avoid getting it in the first place, or if that fails, to try treating it by using more natural means.

Our lifestyle choices can have a major impact on the degree to which one suffers from heartburn. People who are overweight have a higher tendency for heartburn, so modifying your diet to lose weight can make a real difference. There are things we eat and drink which can generate excess acid in the stomach, so reducing or eliminating them from your diet can be very helpful. Citrus fruits in small amounts do not pose much of a problem, but fried foods containing saturated fats should be avoided. Food that is very spicy, like chillies and curries as well as sugary foods all tend to produce excess acid. Eating a lot of food at one time can also encourage heartburn, so smaller, more frequent meals are advised. To avoid nighttime heartburn stop eating at least two hours before going to bed. Drinking alcohol and caffeine are also not helpful.

But what if you take these measures but you still end up with heartburn anyway? Before resorting to antacids, try some simple natural cures first. As soon as you begin experiencing symptoms, drink a large glass of water. This will immediately dilute some of the acid in your stomach. Then follow that up with some ginger and cinnamon tea with honey. Equally effective may be two tablespoons of cider vinegar in a glass of water. Apples appear to be the fruit most helpful in avoiding heartburn. Ripe bananas are also effective, but green ones are not and can even make it worse. Artichokes, peppermint oils and licorice extract have also been known to be helpful.

Heartburn is a condition you can learn to control with the right lifestyle choices and with the help of natural remedies. What works best for you can be determined over time and with the help of those who are experienced with relieving heartburn. We at Reflux Remedy are ready to offer you our expertise in guiding you towards the techniques that will help to avoid and relieve this annoying condition. So don’t spend anymore sleepless nights suffering from heartburn, by visiting us today at refluxremedy.com to find out the safe and natural way to control heartburn.

Acid reflux, also known as heartburn, can be painful, troublesome and embarrassing. Some of the symptoms include the distinctive burning sensation in the chest, coughing and belching. You might be treating the problem by chewing antacids by the fistful or taking prescribed medications, which can get expensive. Did you know that you can actually reduce acid reflux with the food you choose?

Acid reflux is caused when the muscle at the top of the stomach doesn’t work properly and stomach acid backs up into the esophagus. The acid then eats away at the lining of the esophagus, causing the burning sensation. Over time, the reflux can cause severe damage to the esophagus and can even lead to esophageal cancer.

While some foods, such as tomatoes, chocolate and caffeinated beverages can make acid reflux and heartburn substantially worse, other foods can actually reduce reflux and help ease the symptoms.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal can help ease the discomfort of acid reflux and makes a great breakfast or even a snack. One of the benefits of oatmeal is that it can actually help absorb the excess acid. Instead of popping an antacid, try eating a bowl of oatmeal instead.

Salad

Salad is good for you on a number of levels, but it’s especially good if you have acid reflux. The fiber in the salad can help your digestive system work better, reducing reflux symptoms. Be sure to avoid tomatoes or onions, and don’t add cheese. A small amount of an acidic dressing is okay, but don’t go overboard. Keep dressing to one tablespoonful or less.

Chicken

To add protein to your diet, chicken is a great choice. You can eat it baked, grilled or broiled, but don’t fry it. You should also remove the skin, as it is high in fat, which can increase acid reflux symptoms. Adding grilled chicken to a salad makes a great dinner for someone who is having trouble with acid reflux.

Fish and other seafood

Fish is another excellent protein to add to your diet to help reduce reflux. Although it can be higher in fat, it’s high in the type of fat your body needs — omega-3 fatty acids. Try to stick with wild-caught, rather than farm raised. Like chicken, broil, grill or bake your fish and don’t add creamy sauces to it. Other seafood, like shrimp, lobster and shellfish are also good.

Parsley

Although parsley makes a lovely garnish, it’s also recognized as an herb that can help with stomach irritation. Add fresh parsley to your soups, salads and other foods and be sure to eat it!

Couscous

Complex carbohydrates are great foods to help with acid reflux. They can help absorb the acid and they are high in fiber. Add these to your meals to prevent post-meal reflux and indigestions.

Ginger

Ginger is one of the all-time best foods to eat to help with indigestion. Although it can also be taken as a capsule, adding it to foods in its whole form is extremely helpful. Seasoning your fish with ginger before grilling it and serving it with a side of couscous or bulgur wheat makes a filling meal that will help ease acid reflux.

For more information on the foods that help to reduce acid reflux, be sure to visit Reflux Remedy at refluxremedy.com today!

Causes of Acid Reflux

There are many different factors that can contribute to the development of acid reflux disease. If you have this disease, it was probably caused by a combination of issues surrounding your digestive system. Digestion is one of the most important processes of the body. Whenever you eat food, the process begins. Food that is swallowed goes down your esophagus, past the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and into the stomach. The LES opens and closes to allow food to enter the stomach. If you have a LES that is weak, you may develop acid reflux. A weakened or dysfunctional LES will not close normally. If it remains open, this can permit stomach or gastric acids to go up the esophagus. Other causes of acid reflux disease include pregnancy, hiatal hernia, obesity, diet, behaviors and certain medications like diabetes. Respiratory diseases can also contribute to acid reflux.

Symptoms of Acid Reflux

Heartburn is the major symptom of acid reflux. When stomach acid reaches the esophagus and throat, this causes irritation. Stomach acid is used to break down foods for the extraction of nutrients. This acid is too corrosive for other parts of the body. When stomach acid travels to other areas, this can cause you to feel a painful, burning sensation in your chest area.

Dysphagia is another symptom of acid reflux. This is when you have the feeling that food is stuck in your throat. You may also have difficulty with swallowing.

Regurgitation is also a sign of acid reflux. Food can also escape from the stomach through the LES and into the esophagus, causing discomfort. People with acid reflux disease may feel nauseated and uncomfortable. Nausea is related to another symptom which is excessive burping and vomiting. Wet burps also allow gastric acid to reach the esophagus and throat.

Bloating is yet another symptom. Bloating will cause you to feel pain and fullness in your abdomen. Bloating can trigger chest pain and hiccups as well.

Treatment for Acid Reflux

There are several treatment options for acid reflux. Some treatments are preventative while others offer a solution for acid reflux that is already present. These measures can help to prevent you from developing acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The easiest ways to combat acid reflux is to have lifestyle changes. You should try not to eat meals right before you go to bed because this increases gastric acid production at a time when your body will be horizontal. In this position, the acid can easily escape through a weak LES and get into the esophagus. Eating smaller meals is best for preventing acid reflux. Larger meals encourage acid production. You should also be careful about the kinds of food you eat. Fattening foods are not ideal. Stay away from caffeine, garlic, onions and alcohol. Aloe juice, water, ginger and papaya enzymes have been known to neutralize stomach acid, promote digestion and reduce the discomfort caused by acid reflux disease.

Many who suffer from acid reflux spend days and nights trying ways to cure the digestive disorder. Acid reflux occurs when the stomach acids and enzymes escape the stomach and end up in the esophagus where a burning of the chest ensues. Sufferers of acid reflux often complain of a vast range of discomfort ranging from mild to debilitating.

A few symptoms of acid reflux can include but are not limited to:

• Regurgitating food from the esophagus into the mouth: This is one of the most uncomfortable symptoms as it often renders acid reflux sufferers afraid to eat out in public or amongst company. Many sufferers associate this symptom with a ticking time bomb affect. After ingesting food it seems as if any minute the food will make its way back up causing for an uncomfortable physical and social situation.
• Heartburn: Heartburn is generally experienced as a burning sensation in the chest. There have even been those instances when heartburn can be mistaken for a heart attack. This heartburn can travel down into the stomach causing a discomfort in the entire chest and lower abdomen.
• Stabbing pain: There is no one way that the pain from acid reflux registers in the body. While many have described the pain as an increasing burning sensation there are those cases when the pain stabs and is abrupt and instant.
• Trouble swallowing: Eating and drinking can become an inconvenience while suffering with acid reflux. Often times there may seem to be something blocking the flow of food and drinks into the body. It seems that when eating and drinking that there is a block in the throat simulating a lump that is stopping access.
• Teeth and gum erosion: Erosion of the teeth and gums can be more common if the acid reflux is ongoing or long term. The acid that escapes the stomach is hazardous and toxic enough to break down the structuring of the teeth and gums.

There are several treatment options for acid reflux. The key is to find the remedy that works for you. The most common way to find the perfect acid reflux remedy for your need is through trial and error. Here are a few suggestions that may be of help:

• Drink lots of water: Water is known to neutralize the acids in your stomach. Drink water before and after meals to reduce the amount of acid used for digestion.
• Eat small meals several times a day: The key is to avoid a hyperactive digestion. Small meals mean less work for the digestive system. Larger meals at once can kick the stomach into an unnecessary overdrive that can often result in acid reflux.
• Avoid trigger foods: Try keeping a food log. Take note of the foods that tend to cause acid reflux after consumption. Stand clear of these foods at all cost. Eat foods that are healthy and have less hazardous affects.
• Aloe vera juice: Aloe vera juice can decrease esophagus irritation while neutralizing stomach acids. There are several health benefits to drinking aloe vera juice so try implementing this into your daily diet.

These are just a few of several acid reflux treatments. For more information visit refluxremedy.com today!