Cures for Acid Reflux
Acid reflux is caused by an abnormal reflux of stomach contents to the esophagus when the lower esophageal sphincter weakens. If it goes unattended to over a long period, it could result to ulcer or esophageal cancer. That’s why it is recommended that you have a diagnosis early to determine if you have acid reflux and to apply the right treatment. Luckily, there are various cures for acid reflux to apply. These treatment options vary – medications, simple lifestyle changes, and surgical procedures.
A. Lifestyle Changes
If you have acid reflux, one of the things you need to do is to change your daily diet by choosing the foods that should be eaten and those which should not be.
Now, you might wonder what could be the best diet for acid reflux.
To give you an idea, here are some specific foods that you should avoid to prevent acid reflux attacks:
- Chocolate
- Coffee
- Spearmint and peppermint
- Alcoholic drinks
- Fruit juices like orange juice, lemon, lemonade, grapefruit juice, cranberry juice
- Ground beef, chuck
- Marbled sirloin
- Chicken nuggets
- Buffalo wings
- Dairy products such as sour cream, milk shake, ice cream and regular cottage cheese
- Macaroni and cheese
- Spaghetti with sauce
- Tea
- Fatty foods and fried foods
- Onions
- Citrus fruits
- Spicy foods
- Products which are tomato-based
- Caffeinated drinks
- Spices such as garlic, onions, red or black pepper and chili powder
- Baked food high in fat like butter cookies, brownies, doughnuts,
- Junk foods like corn chips and regular potato chips
It was distinguished that drinking milk can be a speedy cure to acid reflux. However, you should know that milk incites an action and encourages discharge of more stomach acid, leading acid reflux.
So, people affected by heartburn should undergo a diet wherein they eat in small portions at dinnertime and follow it up with a small snack before retiring at night, crackers for instance.
Likewise, they should see to it that their food are high in complex carbohydrates. Examples of these are breads, rice and pasta; this fixes the excessive acid in the stomach, hence, giving it an easy feeling.
Chew your foods well, do not rush on eating, 20 minutes for each meal will do.
B. Medications
Antacids. These drugs are used to neutralize the acids in the digestive tract and are primarily taken in for relief of mild symptoms, such as occasional episodes of indigestion and heartburn. They also act to incite the defensive mechanisms of our stomach by building up the secretion of mucous and bicarbonate.
Histamine blockers block acid the production in the body by stopping histamine, a chemical that boosts the production and secretion of acids.
Proton pump inhibitors reduce the supply of gastric acids by reacting with the cells found in the stomach wall which produce and release acids into the stomach. However, be wary of side effects like diarrhea, headache, itching, and nausea.
C. Surgical Procedures
Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication is done by tightening the esophageal walls near the stomach and adding more pressure to the lower esophageal muscles. The patient will be relieved because the stomach acids will be stopped from moving to the throat and esophagus.
Intraluminal endoscopic surgery is done by inserting a small, tubular apparatus inside a particular part of a patient’s body which needs medical or surgical attention.
These are just some of the best cures for acid reflux. But if you want a natural treatment, head over to my review of the book that helped thousands get rid of their acid reflux naturally and permanently.
