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6 Signs That You are Dealing with Acid Reflux

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Primarily a problem attributed to a western lifestyle, around 18% to 28% of the US population suffer from occasional to regular bouts of acid reflux, according to studies. Often called indigestion or heartburn, the symptoms can range from mild discomfort to severe chest pain. In the majority of cases, you can treat irregular bouts of acid reflux by simple lifestyle changes. For those who suffer frequent or long-term discomfort, surgery may be the only option.

Cause of Acid Reflux

The medical term for regular acid reflux is gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD). As we eat, our food passes through a set of muscles that form a valve at the base of the esophagus (the tube running from throat to stomach). The food then enters the stomach and starts to be broken down by gastric acid. Under certain conditions, such as a weak or leaky valve, this acid can find its way into the esophagus, triggering the uncomfortable symptoms we know as heartburn. If you suffer any of these six signs of acid reflux on a regular basis, you may well have GERD.

  • A burning chest pain
  • A sour or unpleasant taste in the mouth, caused by the acid
  • Difficulty swallowing your food or keeping it down
  • Recurring hiccups or niggly cough
  • A hoarse voice
  • Feeling sick, and uncomfortable bloating

Many people suffer the odd bout of heartburn from time to time. A range of lifestyle issues can be responsible such as spicy foodstuffs, and caffeine or alcoholic drinks (according to this study). Furthermore, stress and anxiety attacks, being overweight, heavy smoking, some over the counter medications, and pregnancy can all trigger the onset of heartburn. In addition, developing a hiatus hernia can bring on the problem.

Lifestyle changes

As previously mentioned, you might just need to make a few lifestyle changes to reduce or stop bouts of acid reflux. Make a note of food and drinks that seem to trigger your heartburn, and try to avoid them. Avoid going to bed on a full stomach, by arranging to eat your evening meal two or three hours before bedtime. Try eating little and often, rather than having two or three big meals. If overweight, start a weight reduction program. There are many community-run weight reduction programs available where people work together to shift those unwanted pounds.

Raise the top of your bed by around 20cm, so your head and chest are higher than your feet, ensuring stomach acid travels down, rather than upwards. Make sure underwear or nightwear is loose fitting around the waist, and cut out, or cut down on the usual suspects of alcohol and tobacco. However, if you’ve been keeping a daily intake diary, and prescribed medicines appear to trigger your heartburn, consult your doctor for a change of medication.

Acid reflux treatment

For very occasional occurrences, a glass of milk or shot of peppermint may be all that’s required to solve mild heartburn. For more stubborn bouts, a good acid reflux treatment can be either bought over the counter or prescribed by a doctor.

Most treatments available in your local pharmacy or supermarket fall under the collective title of antacids and are available in tablet, capsule, sachet, or liquid forms. Antacids work by either neutralizing acid in the stomach or throat, or reducing the amount of acid the stomach produces.

Among the best known are Alka-Seltzer, a large tablet that is dissolved in water, and Gaviscon, a liquid formula that helps line the stomach and holds back acid from entering the esophagus. If you find your antacids are causing constipation or diarrhea, ask your pharmacist for an antacid medication that contains both aluminum and magnesium hydroxide, which should minimize these side effects.

If all else fails, see the doctor

If you’ve tried many antacids without success, then a visit to your local health center should be made. It will allow your doctor to carry out further tests to establish whether the problem is caused purely by acid leaking into the throat, over-production of stomach acid, or something more serious. Your doctor will likely prescribe drugs such as ranitidine, lansoprazole, or omeprazole, which reduce the amount of acid made by the stomach. Failing that, and after further investigations by a specialist, he may well suggest an operation called a laparoscopic fundoplication, which will surgically reduce the stomach’s acid production, and stop your acid reflux

How to Naturally Treat Acid Reflux Disease and Symptoms

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Red Apples - Treat Acid Reflux Disease Naturally

Anyone who has ever experienced acid reflux knows what misery means.  The pain, the burning, the FOUL taste left in your mouth… there just isn’t anything remotely good about it. While there are medications available, most of us would like to be on as few medicines as possible.  Having said that, of course, if your condition is especially bad, you’d be nuts NOT to see a doctor for a prescription.  You don’t look nuts to me, so I know you’ll see a doctor if you need to.

Fortunately, there are actually quite a few things we can do to treat acid reflux symptoms on our own.  By just making a few changes to our diet and, if needed, adding a few simple things to our diet, we can spend more time sleeping soundly and less time sitting up in the middle of the bed cursing every bite we took the previous day.  Been there, hated that.

Natural Remedies for Acid Reflux:

The following is a dream team for those experiencing digestive problems.  Experts suggest trying different ones to see which work for you. Just be sure to stick with them long enough to see if they’re doing you any good or not.

  1. Aloe Vera Juice.  This juice (with a taste that requires a little getting used to) is a MUST HAVE for anyone with digestion-related issues.  While drinking a little Aloe Vera Juice can quickly alleviate nausea, indigestion, and heart burn, it’s also a great idea to drink some each day – before you actually have pain or feel queasy.  You should take up to 4 oz daily, preferably before eating.  We’ve kept Aloe Vera Juice in the refrigerator for as long as I can remember. It aids digestion and is a God-send for upset stomachs.
  2. Herbal Licorice.  I have never, personally, tried Herbal Licorice but it sounds pretty amazing.  A story on Treating Acid Reflux Symptoms (Fox News) reported that Herbal Licorice is believed to be effective in treating stomach and intestinal ulcers, reducing stomach acid levels, coating the stomach wall with a protective gel and relieving constipation.  Look in the Vitamins/Minerals/Herbs section of your favorite store.  Licorice Herbal Tea is available on Amazon (I’m throwing some into my cart asap!).
  3. Apple Cider Vinegar. I have to admit, this one caught me a little off guard!  While I love Apple Cider Vinegar in barbecue sauces, German Potato Salad, and a lot of other recipes, I’ve never considered taking a spoonful or two of it. Apparently, I don’t know what I’ve been missing.  Apple Cider Vinegar has a calming effect on your stomach and naturally alleviates stomach acid. In fact, a lot of people who haven’t gotten relief for their Acid Reflux Disease with other methods have had great success with Apple Cider Vinegar – something that was probably in their pantry the whole time.  Simply add 2 teaspoons to a glass of water and drink three times per day.  The water will make it more palatable – as will the knowledge that you’re chasing stomach acid away.

See Treating Acid Reflux Symptoms (Fox News) for a few more suggestions.

Foods That Help Acid Reflux Symptoms:

The following foods are known to help naturally treat acid reflux disease and help keep acid from forming in the first place. (Source)

  • Red apples
  • Ginger root
  • Basil leaves
  • Herbal teas
  • Grapefruit
  • Yellow mustard
  • Fennel seed
  • Pickles

A Few Other Simple Tips for Treating Acid Reflux Disease:

  1. Eat slowly. Take your time to chew each bite thoroughly and even put your fork or spoon down between bites.
  2. Don’t eat while flustered, angry, or even agitated! Chill out… THEN eat in peace.
  3. Keep a food journal.  If you take a few weeks (or even months to be especially thorough) and write down everything you eat and drink each day – then note whether you’ve experienced pain and discomfort or not – you may see a pattern develop. Your problem could possibly be solved simply by cutting out certain foods, or even restaurants.  Common “problem” foods include fatty foods (because they’re more difficult to digest), fried foods, citrus fruits, garlic, chocolate, caffeine, and tomatoes. Keep in mind, however, that foods that bother one person may not bother you one bit. That’s why a personal food journal is the best way to go – then you’ll know the only “problem” foods that really matter – those that are a problem for YOU!
  4. Eat small meals frequently as opposed to a couple of large meals each day.  This advice is given for so many different issues that I’m starting to think it’s simply healthier to eat lightly throughout the day. Whether it’s weight loss, hiatal hernias, stomach ulcers, or acid reflux disease, this advice is golden.  When it comes to acid reflux disease, the correlation is simple: Large meals force the stomach to create more acid. Is it any wonder all-you-can-eat buffets often spell misery?
  5. Be smart about when you eat.  Don’t eat right before exercising or right before going to bed (or even lying down on the couch for a cat nap).  You should wait at least 3 hours after eating before going to bed.

Finally, if you battle acid reflux (either several times a week or several times a year), I highly recommend the best book I’ve found on the subject: The Complete Idiot’s Guide to the Acid Reflux Diet. Click the link to find this great book on Amazon or click the following link to read my The Complete Idiot’s Guide to the Acid Reflux Diet Review.

~ Joi

The Complete Idiot’s Guide to The Acid Reflux Diet

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A few members of my family have had nightmarish experiences with acid reflux. After watching what they go through, I marked this condition as one I pray I never experience.

I do, however, have a great source of information, help, tips, and recipes for my loved ones as well as you. It’s The Complete Idiot’s Guide to the Acid Reflux Diet and it can help sufferers enjoy eating and life again!

This is another one of the excellent “The Complete Idiot’s Guides” that I was sent to review.  I love these books so much, I have an entire book shelf that’s orange. I pass them around for others to enjoy, then they come home to roost on the shelf. I pluck them off regularly to find information or recipes.

Seriously, you should begin your own collection of these outstanding books.

If you or someone you know has acid reflux, by all means you’ll want to start your collection with The Complete Idiot’s Guide to the Acid Reflux Diet!

From the Back Cover:

If you live with acid reflux, you know how painful it can be – the burning, nausea, bloating, and sleepless nights.  But there’s good news! You can reduce and even eliminate your symptoms with a few healthy diet and lifestyle changes and enjoy eating again!

Packed with tips for treating and relieving your acid reflux- plus over 140 delicious recipes that won’t aggravate your symptoms – this helpful guide gives you everything you need to know to be free of acid reflux for good.  In it, you get:

  • A look at how your digestive system works, what causes acid reflux, and common symptoms you might experience.
  • Advice on keeping a food journal to help identify and eliminate your “trigger” foods.
  • Nutritional notes on the proteins, carbohydrates, and fats you need and how they can help – or hurt – in your battle against acid reflux.
  • Tips for preparing digestion-friendly foods quickly and easily at home, plus suggestions for avoiding reflux when dining out.
  • Over 140 mouthwatering recipes for acid reflux-free living, from breakfast to dessert.

Some of the chapters include:

  • What Causes Acid Reflux (a great education on the workings of the digestive system, who’s at risk for acid reflux, diagnosing acid reflux, when to seek help…)
  • Treating and Relieving Acid Reflux (includes herbal and plant-derived remedies, tips for sleep and managing stress, medications that help and medications that hurt…)
  • Weight Management with Acid Reflux (watching calories, the connection between acid reflux and weight, creating balance, healthy eating on a budget…)
  • Ensuring Your Success on the Acid Reflux Diet (protein and the Acid Reflux Diet, How much fat do you need?, good fat vs bad fat, carbohydrates, menu planning, exercise…)
  • Cooking and Dining Out Strategies (tasty flavor combinations, smart substitutions, “at the restaurant,” different cuisines, fast food, special occasions…)
  • Recipes for Reflux-Free Living (Breakfasts, breads, snacks, appetizers, sandwiches, salads, entrees, poultry, vegetarian main courses, pastas, grains, vegetables, desserts…)

The Complete Idiot’s Guide to the Acid Reflux Diet will set you up for success because the book, itself is set up for success.  Everything is spelled out beautifully and simplistically. Each chapter sums up what the reader has learned with a recap the author calls “The Least You Need to Know.”

Each time I read a Complete Idiot’s Guide, I think, “Why didn’t all those school books I read over the years use THESE authors and THIS approach?!”

If you or anyone you know experiences the evils of acid reflux, I strongly recommend this great book. I’ve used many of the recipes, myself, and I don’t even have acid reflux!  Click through one of the links for more information.

Check out the ridiculously impressive collection of The Complete Idiot’s Guides on Amazon. They cover just about everything you could possibly think of!

~ Joi