Remedies For Acid Reflux
Acid reflux can have a few different symptoms depending on diet and severity. Common symptoms are chronic cough, disrupted sleep because of discomfort, heartburn in the chest after eating, or a lump sensation in the throat.
There are few things you can do at home to try to minimize symptoms and avoid acid reflux from occurring all together, though they may not work for everyone.
Avoid Overeating
Because acid reflux is most commonly caused by the food we eat, focusing on your diet can reduce symptoms. Rule number one is to avoid overeating. Research has shown that most symptoms occur after a meal, and that the bigger the meal, the worse the symptoms.
Limit Alcohol Intake
Other studies have linked alcohol consumption with increased stomach acid, leading to increases in acid reflux symptoms, even in healthy individuals. Therefore, limiting the amount of alcohol you consume can help prevent heartburn.
Avoid Acidic Foods and Drinks
In addition to alcohol and overeating, there are other dietary causes of acid reflux that will help you avoid symptoms. Acidic foods that may make heartburn worsen include the following:
- Citrus fruit juice
- Garlic and onion
Eat High-Fiber Foods
Foods that are high in fiber can help you avoid and reduce acid reflux symptoms. Try eating foods like whole grains, root vegetables like carrots and beets, and green veggies like broccoli. Nuts and fruits with high water content, like watermelon, can also help.
Donât Eat Before Bed
Avoid Tight Clothing
How To Eliminate Acid Reflux In Throat
Many people who think Acid Reflux Throat Treatment by taking antacids is the best route to go with due to the plenty of acid in their stomach that produce side effects such as diarrhea and constipation
However, the amount of acid in your gut is not the problem. Your stomach lining secretes the digestive acid, fluids and other chemicals that are needed to break down the food particles that you eat so that the digestive process can begin.
The problem that you have is to do with a muscular valve called the esophageal sphincter. This valve connects the lower end of your esophagus to the upper end of your stomach. Its designed to open up and allow food to go down into your stomach and then close to stop food and acid from traveling upwards.
Now, when youre eating, your food is only supposed to go downwards from the esophagus and into your stomach where it gets broken down and digested.
However, one of the reasons that you are suffering from acid reflux throat treatment is because the esophageal sphincter relaxes too frequently, opens up and allows some of the contents of your stomach to travel back up into your throat which is why you can either taste what youre digesting, or you get a sour taste in your mouth
Complications Of Untreated Gerd And Esophagitis
If GERD and esophagitis symptoms arent brought under control, your stomach acid may continue to further damage your esophagus. Over time, repeated damage might lead to the following complications:
- Narrowing of the esophagus: This is called esophageal stricture and may be caused by scar tissue resulting from GERD or tumors. You may experience difficulty swallowing or food getting caught in your throat.
- Esophageal rings: These are rings or folds of abnormal tissue that form in the lower lining of the esophagus. These bands of tissue may constrict the esophagus and cause trouble swallowing.
- Barretts esophagus: This is a condition in which the cells in the lining of the esophagus are damaged from stomach acid and change to become similar to the cells lining the small intestine. This is a rare condition and you may feel no symptoms, but it can increase your risk of developing esophageal cancer.
All three of these complications can be avoided with proper treatment for frequent heartburn or GERD.
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Top 15 Heartburn Remedies
Just because heartburn is common doesnt mean you have to suffer with it. Left untreated, frequent acid reflux can develop into more serious health problems. Here are the top 15 heartburn remedies…
Despite humorous commercials touting heartburn remedies with funny words like plop-plop and fizz-fizz, heartburn is no joke. More than 60 million Americans suffer from it at least occasionally, according to the American College of Gastroenterology.Heartburn, also known as acid indigestion, occurs when acidic stomach juices flow backward into the esophagus, irritating the esophageal lining. The resulting pain can be uncomfortable, annoying or excruciating. It can hurt as much as a heart attack, says Paige Hastings, a certified nurse practitioner at The Little Clinic in Nashville, Tenn.But not everyone has such pain you could also feel a bitter or acidic taste in the back of your throat or the awful sensation of food or liquid washing back into your mouth and down the gullet.In fact, frequent heartburn and food sticking in the throat are signs of gastroesophageal reflux disease .Untreated, these problems can lead more serious problems, including strictures , ulcers, cancer and pneumonia, explains Patricia Raymond, MD, a gastroenterologist based in Virginia Beach, Va.
What Medications Do I Take To Manage The Symptoms Of Gerd
Many over-the-counter and prescription medications relieve GERD. Most of OTC drugs come in prescription strength too. Your provider will give you a prescription for these stronger drugs if youre not getting relief from the OTC formulas.
The most common GERD medications:
- Antacids include Tums®, Rolaids®, Mylanta®, Riopan® and Maalox®.
- H-2 receptor blockers include Tagamet®, Pepcid AC®, Axid AR® and Zantac®.
- Proton pump inhibitors include Prevacid®, Prilosec®, Zegerid®, Nexium®, Protonix®, AcipHex® and Dexilant®.
- Baclofen is a prescription drug used to reduce the relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter which allows acid backwash.
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Avoid Foods That Trigger Gerd
Oftentimes people with GERD find that their symptoms occur or get worse after eating certain foods or having certain drinks. Your healthcare provider or dietitian might recommend reducing or avoiding certain foods or beverages to see if this helps decrease your GERD symptoms.
Some common dietary triggers for GERD are:
- Acidic foods
- High-fat or greasy foods
- Caffeinated beverages, such as coffee and tea
- Alcoholic beverages
- Carbonated beverages
You may find that there are other foods not on this list that trigger GERD symptoms in you. Discuss them with your healthcare provider or dietitian.
What Is Gastroesophageal Reflux
Gastroesophageal reflux , also called reflux, is when food and acid from the stomach go back up into the esophagus. This causes an uncomfortable feeling in the chest, often called heartburn.
With GER, reflux happens after nearly every meal and causes noticeable discomfort. After eating, people with GER feel a burning sensation in the chest, neck, and throat.
While it’s more common in adults, kids, teens, and even babies can have gastroesophageal reflux.
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How Should I Change My Diet
If you don’t eat certain foods, your throat problems may get better. Here’s a list of foods you should try not to eat :
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Tomato-based foods, like spaghetti sauce, chili and pizza
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Spicy foods
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Mint flavoring, like peppermint and spearmint
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Citrus fruits, like oranges and grapefruit
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Drinks with caffeine, like coffee, tea and cola
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Chocolate
Milk For Stomach Burning
Why This Works
Cold milk can neutralize the gastric acids in the stomach. Thus, it can restore the natural acid balance in the stomach, reduce acid reflux, and relieve the burning sensation caused by it .
Caution
If you are lactose and casein sensitive, please avoid using this remedy.
You Will Need
A glass of cold milk
What You Have To Do
Drink this after your meal.
How Often You Should Do This
Have cold milk after your meals to avoid or soothe acidity problems.
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Home Remedies For Heartburn: 10 Ways To Get Rid Of Acid Reflux
Despite what its name implies, heartburn has nothing to do with your heart.
Rather, it’s a burning sensation in your chest that occurs when stomach acid backs up into your esophagus, the 10-inch tube connecting your mouth to your stomach.
When it hits, heartburn can last for just a few minutes or as long as several hours. Either way, it’s uncomfortable so it’s no surprise if you’re looking for a way to get rid of the sensation fast.
Home Remedies For Reducing Acid Reflux
If youve ever experienced a painful burning sensation in the chest after youve eaten, youre not alone. Acid reflux, commonly referred to as heartburn, affects 60 million people across the U.S. That means almost one out of every five people in Boone and Jefferson frequently reach for antacids after mealtime. There are some natural remedies that can help reduce the discomfort associated with acid reflux, allowing you to better enjoy your favorite foods.
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Sore Throat And Acid Reflux
Food and Drug Administration requested that all forms of prescription and over-the-counter ranitidine be removed from the U.S. market. This recommendation was made because unacceptable levels of NDMA, a probable carcinogen , were found in some ranitidine products. If youre prescribed ranitidine, talk with your doctor about safe alternative options before stopping the drug. If youre taking OTC ranitidine, stop taking the drug and talk with your healthcare provider about alternative options. Instead of taking unused ranitidine products to a drug take-back site, dispose of them according to the products instructions or by following the FDAs guidance .
Ranitidine, brand name Zantac, is now marketed as Zantac 360, which contains a different active ingredient . Famotidine is in the same class as ranitidine and works the same way but has not been found to contain unacceptable levels of NDMA.
Check If You Have Acid Reflux
The main symptoms of acid reflux are:
- heartburn a burning sensation in the middle of your chest
- an unpleasant sour taste in your mouth, caused by stomach acid
You may also have:
- a cough or hiccups that keep coming back
- a hoarse voice
Your symptoms will probably be worse after eating, when lying down and when bending over.
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How Is Gerd Treated
Treatment for GERD depends on how severe symptoms are. For some people, treatment may just include lifestyle changes, such as changing what they eat or drink. Others will need to take medicines. In very rare cases, when GERD is particularly severe, a doctor will recommend surgery.
These lifestyle changes can help ease the symptoms of GERD or even prevent the condition:
- quitting smoking
- losing weight if you are overweight
- eating small meals
- avoiding carbonated beverages
- avoiding foods that trigger reflux
It also can help to not lie down for 3 hours after a meal and to not eat 2 to 3 hours before going to bed. Doctors sometimes also recommend raising the head of the bed about 6 to 8 inches. Before you start a major bedroom makeover, though, talk to your doctor and your parents about the best sleeping position for you.
If symptoms continue, doctors might prescribe medicine, such as:
- H2 blockers, which can help block the production of stomach acid
- proton pump inhibitors, which reduce the amount of acid the stomach makes
- prokinetics, which help the esophageal sphincter work better and the stomach empty faster. This can prevent reflux episodes.
Avoid Foods That Cause Heartburn
While heartburn triggers vary from person to person, there are several foods and drinks that are known causes of heartburn, including:
- spicy foods: hot chili peppers
- acidic foods: citrus fruits, tomatoes, chocolate
- peppermint
- fatty foods
- acidic drinks, such as caffeine, alcohol, coffee, wine and carbonated beverages.
Pay attention to the foods and beverages that trigger heartburn for you and eliminate them from your diet.
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When Should I See My Doctor
Tell your doctor right away if you have confusion, chest tightness, bleeding, sore throat, fever, irregular heartbeat, weakness, or unusual fatigue.
Get immediate medical attention if you have any chest pain, pressure, or burning that doesnât go away . These can also be signs of a heart attack.
Also get medical help right away if you are vomiting blood or what looks like dark coffee grounds. See a doctor immediately if your stools are black, bloody, or a maroon color.
If your heartburn is severe and over-the-counter medicines donât help, or if you have taken them for more than 2 weeks, call your doctor. Also see your doctor if you are losing weight without trying or having trouble swallowing. Your doctor can check to see what is causing the problem and what the best solution will be for you.
Could Your Sore Throat Be Caused By Acid Reflux
Jun 20, 2018 | Ear Nose Throat, Health Tips, Your Health
Have you had a cough, tickle in the throat, itchy throat, or raspy voice that will not go away despite not having a cold or feeling sick? Is excess mucus causing you to clear your throat so often that it is annoying and, at times, embarrassing? Many who suffer from these symptoms are treated by doctors and urgent care physicians with allergy medications, nasal sprays, decongestants, and even antibiotics. Despite this, symptoms do not get better. Often these symptoms are not caused by allergies, a sinus infection, or a cold, but by laryngopharyngeal reflux . Also called airway reflux, reflux laryngitis, or atypical reflux, LPR is one of the most common diseases of the 21st century. Unlike gastroesophageal reflux disease , which primarily affects the esophagus, LPR will affect the larynx and pharynxyour voice production system. Lissette Giraud, MD, provides insight into and answers common questions about this widespread condition.
What causes LPR?
It is commonly accepted that this condition is caused by reflux of acid or bile. GERD symptoms like heartburn are not typical of the condition but may appear. The most common symptoms of LPR are hoarseness, sore throat, excess mucus in the throat, persistent cough, asthma-like, symptoms , postnasal drip, sensation of a lump in the throat, difficulties swallowing, and ear pain. However, LPR presents differently in each person.
When should I see a doctor?
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Acid Reflux And Sore Throat
Sore throats are uncomfortable, but the good news is they can often be soothed with home remedies and without the need for medication. Here are some tips for soothing your sore throat:
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Avoid Certain Foods: Eat small and frequent meals and avoid fatty, spicy, or acidic foods. These items are more likely to induce symptoms such as heartburn and sore throat. Avoiding trigger foods that cause heartburn can assist you in managing your acid reflux. Keeping a diary with specific triggers can help you to better keep track of them.
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Experiment with Textures: When your throat is especially sore, you may also want to experiment with different textures of food to see which do not irritate it further. Softer foods may be good for some, while liquids like smoothies and soup are best for others.
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Drink More Tea: Warm and soothing tea can help alleviate a sore throat. Add raw, unfiltered honey to help coat your throat and prevent that itchy, scratchy feeling.
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Eat Smaller Meals: Eating large meals can exacerbate acid reflux. Instead, aim to eat smaller meals throughout the day to avoid triggering your acid reflux.
Take the time to try one or all of the recommended tips on how to heal acid reflux throat damage. In the event that your sore throat persists, schedule a consultation with a reflux specialist who can help you explore other options.
How To Lower Stomach Acid With Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple Cider Vinegar is one of the most effective home remedies for how to reduce stomach acid and prevent heartburn or acid reflux after a meal. Those suffering from stomach acid burping will also see a significant difference after using this apple cider vinegar remedy.
How to use?
- Add a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water
- To it add freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Consume the drink post meal to prevent heart burn, or you can drink it before your meals to boost digestion
Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar
The enzymes present in apple cider vinegar help in breaking down the food and reduce acidity. As such it readily relieves you from heartburn. Also, please note that apple cider vinegar is acidic thus, it also helps in restoring the stomach acid pH level which is necessary for optimal digestion.
Precautions
You must use raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar only. Hence, before purchasing the bottle have a look at its label to know whether it has under gone any processing or not.
What Are The Main Symptoms Of Gerd
The main symptoms are persistent heartburn and acid regurgitation. Some people have GERD without heartburn. Instead, they experience pain in the chest, hoarseness in the morning or trouble swallowing. You may feel like you have food stuck in your throat, or like you are choking or your throat is tight. GERD can also cause a dry cough and bad breath.
Try These Heartburn Home Remedies
- Eat smaller portions. Big meals increase the risk of heartburn, so try dishing up less and chewing slowly. This will help give your food time to digest and will leave you feeling full sooner.
- Avoidfoods that trigger acid reflux. Certain foods tend to cause acid reflux to flare up. Stay away from fatty, greasy and spicy foods in particular. Try loading up on lean meats and green vegetables instead.
- Dont eat too close to bedtime. Because heartburn is often worse when lying down, finish eating at least three hours before going to bed. Skip that midnight snack as well, unless youre prepared to be up for a few hours afterward.
- Limit alcohol. Alcoholic beverages are a well-known trigger of acid reflux. When imbibing, drink in moderation and put down that glass of chardonnay well in advance of bedtime. As with eating, youll want to give yourself a cushion of three hours before lying down to reduce your odds of experiencing heartburn.
- Chew gum. Chewing gum increases the amount of saliva you produce, causing you to swallow more. This helps rid acid buildup more quickly. Chewing gum that contains bicarbonate is especially effective.
- Slow down. As tempting as it is to go for a brisk walk or swim after eating in order to work off those calories, its best to wait 30-45 minutes before engaging in vigorous physical activity. This will help prevent heartburn from flaring up.
These home remedies should help reduce the number and severity of heartburn outbreaks.