How to Treat Acid Reflux and Heartburn with simple Home Remedies

You feel that tell-tale burning sensation in your chest, and you know what is coming. Standing, sitting, or lying down – everything is uncomfortable, and you need a solution or a fix to these indigestion woes of yours. Lots of people experience acid reflux and heartburn. Treatment typically involves commercial medications. Reaching out for over-the-counter medications and antacids seems to be the only solution; however, these medications sometimes fail to provide enough relief. Home remedies for acid reflux and heartburn are probably something you should consider as they can give you long-term natural relief without having to rely on medications.

Before we get into the natural ways to provide relief, let us first understand what acid reflux and heartburn are.

Difference Between Acid Reflux and Heartburn

The terms heartburn and acid reflux are used interchangeably; however, they have different meanings. 

Heartburn occurs when acids in your stomach come up to the esophagus (the pipe connecting the stomach to the mouth). This is an issue which most of us have had to deal with. 

A circular muscle termed the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) connects your stomach and esophagus. The LES is responsible for tightening the esophagus after the food goes to the stomach. If this muscle does not pull the esophagus properly, then the stomach acid can move backward into the esophagus. This is known as acid reflux.

Acid reflux can lead to heartburn and other symptoms, which are:

• Sore throat
• Cough
• Sour taste in the mouth
• Bitter taste in the back of the throat
• Burning and pressure that can come up to the breast bone

How to Stop Acid Reflux

The article aims to provide a list of natural home remedies for heartburn and acid reflux. 

Some of the most straightforward steps that you can take to prevent heartburn and acid reflux are:

• Do not overeat: The LES behaves like a valve that prevents acidic contents from coming back to the esophagus. This valve opens naturally when you vomit, emit, or swallow. Otherwise, it should remain closed. Acid reflux occurs when this muscle is either dysfunctional or weakened. Most acid reflux symptoms occur after large meals. Thus, one step that minimizes acid reflux is to avoid eating large meals and focus on small frequent meals.
• Lose weight: With too much belly fat, the LES can be pushed forward due to high pressure in your abdomen. This condition is termed a hiatus hernia. Various studies confirm that weight loss provides relief from reflux symptoms. 
• Stand up straight and keep walking: This simple solution can work wonders as it keeps the acid and food down in your stomach.
• Follow a low-carb diet: Growing evidence indicates that a low-carb diet can relieve acid reflux symptoms.
• Drink water: Sometimes, all you need is to drink more water to prevent heartburn. Drinking a glass of water is an excellent place to start before trying out more intense remedies. 
• Limit your alcohol intake: Drinking alcohol can increase the seriousness of heartburn and acid reflux.
• Chew gum: Gum-containing bicarbonate is particularly effective in reflux symptoms as it decreases acidity in the esophagus. 
• Elevate the head of your bed: As some people experience reflux symptoms during the night, which may disrupt their sleep quality, it is recommended to raise the head of the bed. This results in significantly lesser reflux and heartburn symptoms. 
• Avoid eating within three hours of going to bed: Various studies indicate that eating around three hours before bed helps prevent heartburn symptoms during nighttime.
• Drink buttermilk: Regular whole milk helps soothe heartburns, but it may take a while to get relief. On the other hand, cultured buttermilk acts quickly to calm acid reflux. Generally, fermented milk products are an excellent dietary addition for people suffering from heartburns.
• Try fresh lemon juice and apple cider vinegar: Lemon juice and apple cider vinegar can help increase stomach acids, which is excellent news for people with heartburn problems. A lack of stomach acid usually causes heartburn. Try adding two spoons of apple cider vinegar or squeezing a fresh lemon into a glass of water.

These steps mentioned are straightforward to follow, and if they work, you benefit from getting rid of the over-the-counter medications, which you may have been taking for years.

Answering Your Most Common Questions on Acid Reflux and Heartburn

• Is there a difference between acid reflux disease and heartburn?

Heartburn is a common condition that most people experience from time to time. More than twice a week, people who have heartburn or acid reflux are said to be having acid reflux disease.

• How can PPIs control acid reflux disease?

Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) work effectively when taken every day. The general directions are to take one pill each day, around half an hour before breakfast. Medications should be consumed according to the instructions provided by the gastroenterologist.

• Are there any side effects of medications for acid reflux?

Antacids typically comprise either magnesium or calcium salts. Excess calcium can lead to constipation, and magnesium can cause diarrhea.

• How does diet affect acid reflux disease?

Acid reflux is often made worse by the following foods:

• • Acidic foods like tomatoes and citrus fruits
  • Foods that are high in fat
  • Peppermint (Mint relaxes the LES)
  • Alcohol
  • Spicy foods
  • Caffeine
  • Chocolate

Avoid the foods mentioned above and eat small frequent meals. This should help with your acid reflux issues to a large extent.

• What if PPIs do not work for me?

In most cases, PPIs do work to a large extent to provide relief from acid reflux issues; however, if they do not work, your gastroenterologist should be able to provide you with other options. 

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