Acid Reflux Disease: Symptoms, Causes, Diet & Natural Remedies

Heartburn or acid indigestion is another name that refers to acid reflux. Acid Reflux or Gastroesophageal reflux disease is not a disease rather it is a condition. Over stuffing, excess use of spicy foods, regular drinking of alcohol and smoking accompanied with no exercise are considered as primary causes of acid reflux.

In acid reflux, the food in the stomach begins coming back to the esophagus. Food that is growing in the esophagus is not the simple food. It also contains strong acids as well as digestive enzymes. This food burn the cynical mucosal inside layer of the lower esophagus due to this burning mucosal lining becomes weak and even it is destroyed completely. This burning and demolition makes mucosal lining more risk to have ulcers and cancers.

What Causes Acid Reflux disease?

Acid reflux is caused by food and stomach acid coming back up from your stomach and entering your esophagus. This condition takes place when the acids and the juices in your stomach or the food in your stomach reach the pipe that leads the food into the stomach.

Some Possible Acid Reflux Causes

  If you eat fried and fat-containing foods that contain a lot of acids or if you consume a lot of sauces, there will be the excess of acid in your stomach, and that can be some of your acid reflux causes.

• Tomato based sauces are primarily guilty of causing this condition.
• If you have consumed a lot of chocolate, you will often face the problem of acid reflux.
• Acidic fruit juices, such as orange, grapefruit and pineapple
• Certain veggies, such as onions and tomatoes
• Spicy foods, especially those seasoned with any kind of chilli peppers.
• Greasy foods and those which have been fried or have a high amount of fat
• If you consume a lot of alcohol or caffeineor colas and other caffeinated beverages. As far as foods are concerned, lots of a citrus and pepper will cause this problem.

Symptoms of Acid Reflux Disease

• Excessive phlegm or mucus in the throat or a sore throat,
• Burning sensation in your chest (heartburn)
• Feeling a lump in the throat,
• Frequent coughing, difficulty in swallowing,
• A sensation of choking, wheezing.
• Sinusitis, voice changes due to damage to voice box and nausea

Over The Counter Medications for Acid Reflux

Treatment for acid reflux usually begins with over the counter medications that aim to control the acid. Some of these treatments include:

• Medications that block acid production and heal the esophagus. These Proton Pump Inhibitors include lansoprazole and omeprazole.
• Antacids that neutralize stomach acid. Antacids like Mylanta, Tums, Gelusil and Rolaids
• Medications to reduce acid production. Like H-2-receptor blockers, these include cimetidine (Tagamet HB), nizatidine (Axid AR) or ranitidine (Zantac 75), famotidine (Pepcid AC).

Natural Remedies for Acid Reflux Disease

• Eat a few slices of Apple before meals and before bedtime, taking a slice of apple will treat any heartburn flare-ups.
• Aloe Vera makes your own, get some aloe vera, peel the skin off of it and just add water to the goo. blend & drink or just buy health the food shops.
• Drink plenty of water at the time when you get feeling that the episode of reflux is arriving.
• Dried Mint leaves, steep 1 teaspoon in a cup of water and drink. One cup a day for a week.
• Eating a Mango a day or when you feel the acid reflux active.
• Lavender is known for reducing stomach acid and is a popular acid reflux treatment. It is a popular herb and is known for healing properties over the entire body.
• Lemons dipped in salt can also prevent acid reflux

Simple Diet for Acid Reflux and Foods to avoid Acid Reflux

1. Soft is better. Eating mild foods will allow your esophagus to heal from the excessive acid caused by acid reflux.
2. Avoid Spicy and Acidic Foods. Spicy and Acidic foods can aggravate your LES and cause heartburn. To prevent this from happening, stay away from these foods, as well as alcohol, beer and soft drinks.
3. Crunchy is bad. Nuts, crackers, toast, popcorn, cookies, breakfast cereals will make your reflux situation worse by scratching your Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES).
4. One cup of Joe. You should not drink more than one cup of coffee per day!
5. Drink Water. You should try to drink one big glass of water after every meal to aid in digestion.

Conclusion

Acid reflux treatment also depends greatly on diet. If you avoid these different types of food items in your diet, you may considerably decrease the severity of acid reflux disease. While not all foods will affect everyone in the same way, certain foods have a higher incidence of acid reflux symptoms., herbal remedies, and diet and lifestyle changes, natural treatments, acid reflux can be treated successfully. It is better to prevent rather cure.