Acid reflux is when some of the acid content of the stomach flows up into the esophagus into the gullet, which moves food down from the mouth. At the entrance to your stomach is a valve, which is a ring of muscle called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Normally, the LES closes as soon as food passes through it. If the LES doesn't close all the way or if it opens too often, acid produced by your stomach can move up into your esophagus. This can cause symptoms such as a burning chest pain called heartburn. If acid reflux symptoms happen more than twice a week, you have acid reflux disease, also known as gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Causes Of Acid Reflux
Several factors may increase the risk of acid reflux disease:
- Stomach abnormalities: One of the main causes of acid reflux disease is a stomach abnormality called a hiatal hernia, which can occur in people of any age. A hiatal hernia happens when the upper part of the stomach and the LES move above the diaphragm. This is the muscular wall separating your stomach from your chest. When it works correctly, the diaphragm normally helps keep acid from rising into your esophagus. If you have a hiatal hernia, it is easier for acid to move up into your esophagus.
- Smoking: Smoking causes acid reflux disease by damaging mucus membranes, impairs the muscle reflexes in the throat, reduces the LES muscle function and salivation which neutralizes the effect of acid.
- Diet: Eating large meals or lying down right after a meal can trigger heartburn or other symptoms of acid reflux disease, such as a dry cough or trouble swallowing. Acid reflux increases by the type of diet we take. Foods that cause acid reflux are alcohol, carbonated beverages, chocolate, citrus fruits such as oranges or lemons, coffee or tea (regular or decaffeinated), fatty or fried foods, foods containing tomato such as spaghetti sauce, salsa, or pizza, garlic, onions, mint, spicy foods.
- Pregnancy: Many women experience acid reflux for the first time during pregnancy. This is caused by increasing levels of hormones combined with pressure from the growing fetus. It becomes worst during the third trimester. The symptoms almost always go away after the delivery.
- Being overweight or obese.
- Eating a heavy meal and lying on your back or bending over at the waist.
- Snacking close to bedtime.
- Low dietary fiber.
- Low physical exercise.
- Medications, including drugs for asthma, calcium-channel blockers, antihistamines, painkillers, sedatives, and antidepressants.
Symptoms Of Acid Reflux
Common symptoms of acid reflux are:
- Heartburn: A burning pain or discomfort that may move from your stomach to your abdomen or chest, or even up into your throat.
- Regurgitation: Sometimes acid escaping from your stomach can make its way into the back of your throat, leaving an icky, bitter taste in your mouth. In really extreme cases, this can cause choking.
- Chest pain: Chest pain, which occurs because stomach acid is splashing into the esophagus, is a classic acid reflux symptom. But the pain can last longer and be more intense than expected. Many people mistake heartburn from a heart attack. You can never ignore chest pain, especially if it gets worse when you exercise.
- Hoarseness: You might think you're in the early stages of a cold when your voice starts cracking, but hoarseness can be another heartburn symptom. If stomach acid is seeping into your esophagus it can irritate your vocal cords.
- Sore throat : A sore throat is another classic cold or flu symptom that might actually be caused by digestive problems. If your throat tends to ache only after meals, you may have heartburn. Unlike with a cold or the flu, however, this type of sore throat can also be chronic. If you don't develop other symptoms, such as sniffling or sneezing, consider acid reflux.
- Cough: Many respiratory symptoms, such as chronic cough and wheezing, can also be due to heartburn, likely because stomach acid is getting into your lungs. If you suspect heartburn is at the root of your breathing difficulties possibly because it occurs immediately after eating.
- Nausea: Nausea is associated with so many things that it can be hard to attribute it to reflux. If nausea tends to come on right after meals, then it might be an indication of acid reflux.
- Dysphagia: Overtime, the continuous cycle of damage and healing after acid reflux causes scarring. This, in turn, causes swelling in the lower-esophagus tissue, resulting in a narrowing of the esophagus and difficulty swallowing.
- Bloody or black stools or bloody vomiting.
Natural Remedies To Reduce Acid Reflux
Millions of people all around the world suffer from acid reflux and heartburn. Whether it’s caused by eating a huge pizza or burger or something as light as a bread, there are several foods that can trigger acid reflux. Your reflux might not be so bad as to require prescriptions and a doctor visit, but you may want a simple solution to help you eat whatever you like. These simple, natural home remedies help in reducing acid reflux, letting you enjoy your favorite foods.
1. Fennel seeds
- Fennel has been used for thousands of years in the treatment of digestive issues. It helps to reduce stomach muscle spasms and acid creation, calming the stomach down before it gets upset and creates too much acid.
- Fennel is often used in combination with baking soda to treat colic in infants as well. Try mixing it with baking soda for the ultimate acid reflux relief. You can also chew fennel seeds or boil them in water for a fennel tea.
2. Baking soda
- Baking soda is one best method to reduce acid reflux. Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate, which counteracts stomach acid, calming an upset stomach and helps to prevent gastric acids from flowing back into your esophagus and chest.
- To prevent acid reflux, mix 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in half a cup of water and drink the liquid. It takes about 15 minutes to work.
3. Mint
- Mint herbs can help aid in digestion and calm the stomach. You can chew on mint leaves or drink mint tea before or after the meal. Mint oil can be added to any drink for quick acid reflux relief.
4. Licorice Root
- Clinical studies have actually shown licorice as a great supplement for a number of problems. Unlike antacids, licorice helps heal the stomach and the esophagus lining by creating a protective mucous.
- One ingredient naturally found in licorice is Glycyrrhizin, which can raise blood pressure. When shopping for licorice, look for deglycyrrhizinated licorice, which is specifically made for treating digestive issues.
5. Ginger
- Ginger is a popular remedy for pregnant women suffering from morning sickness, and it also prevents an upset stomach and “cleanse the palate”.
- Because ginger is such a potent remedy for stomach ailments, it is great for treating acid reflux. You can use powdered ginger, fresh ginger, candied ginger, ginger capsules or liquid ginger to get relief from acid reflux.
6. Turmeric
- Turmeric is a member of the ginger family, has been used for thousands of years to treat various ailments. Turmeric is a potent aid in digestion, and it reduces acid build up in the stomach. Turmeric also has anti-inflammatory effects, soothing a burning esophagus.
- Aloe Vera is a great remedy for relieving a burning esophagus and throat while calming the stomach.
- Besides eliminating garlic breath, chewing gum after a meal might have other advantages. Several studies have shown that chewing gum increases saliva production, which is a natural acid neutralizer. As saliva is created and slides down the throat, it coats the esophagus to help neutralize stomach acids.
- Like aloe Vera, chamomile can decrease inflammation flare ups in the esophagus and help calm an acid-filled stomach.
- Despite limited research, slippery elm has been used in herbal remedies for centuries to treat a variety of illnesses, including GERD symptoms. This tree extract thickens the layer of mucous lining the stomach, creating a stronger barrier against acid.
Prevention Of Acid Reflux Through Lifestyle Changes
Lifestyle can play a large part in the development of acid reflux-related problems, and changes to lifestyle or behavior can prevent or improve symptoms. Here is a list of things to try to see if symptoms resolve:
- Avoid fatty or greasy foods, chocolate, caffeine, spicy foods, citrus, and tomato-based foods. These foods decrease the competence of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES).
- Don't eat large meals. Eating a lot of food at one time increases the amount of acid needed to digest it. Eat smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day.
- Don't eat within 3 hours of bedtime. This allows your stomach to empty and acid production to decrease.
- Don't lie down right after eating at any time of day.
- Avoid increased pressure on your abdomen, such as from tight belts or doing sit-up exercises.
- Lose excess weight. Overweight and obese people are much more likely to have bothersome reflux than people of healthy weight.
- Stand upright or sit up straight, maintain good posture. This helps food and acid pass through the stomach instead of backing up into the esophagus.
- Avoid drinking alcohol. Alcohol increases the likelihood that acid from your stomach will back up.
- Stop smoking. Smoking weakens the lower esophageal sphincter and increases reflux.
- Talk to your healthcare professional about taking over-the-counter pain relievers such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or medicines for osteoporosis.
Conclusion
If self-care and treatment with nonprescription medication does not work, your health-care professional likely will prescribe one of a class of stronger antacids. This therapy may be needed only for a short time or over a longer period while you make gradual changes in your lifestyle.
