QUARANTINE HEALTH : Acid Reflux is a “Digestive Disease”in which stomach acid or bile irritates the food pipe lining. The symptoms are Heartburn, Regurgitation, Bloating, Wheezing, Dry cough or a Chronic sore throat and Dysphagia (a sensation of food being stuck in the throat).
Here are some Home Remedies for Acid Reflux in these trying and troubled times.
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. The lining of the stomach is specially adapted to protect it from the powerful acid, but the Esophagus is not protected.
A ring of muscle, the gastroesophageal sphincter, normally acts as a valve that let’s food into the stomach, but not back up into the esophagus. When this valve fails, and the stomach contents are regurgitated into the esophagus the symptoms of acid reflux are felt, like
Heartburn, Regurgitation, Bloating, Wheezing, Dry cough or a Chronic sore throat and Dysphagia (a narrowing of the esophagus which creates a ‘sensation of food being stuck in the throat’).
Doctors normally recommend protein pump inhibitors which are effective at reducing heartburn but can lead to Bone loss and Vitamin B12 deficiency among other side effects.
These days of high stress with Covid -19 lurking in every corner, we need to realize that our diet is not only what we eat, but what we think. We watch the news all the time, look at our Covid – 19 tracker, and all this affects our mental health very badly.
Due to this a lot of people are experiencing symptoms of dizziness, breathlessness, sudden tightening in the chest and other such like symptoms. Sometimes people confuse the symptoms of heart attack with those of acid reflux.
Another common symptom of acid reflux is regurgitation – or the sensation of acid backing up into your throat or mouth. Regurgitation can produce a sour or bitter taste, and you may experience ‘wet burps’.
We are living in trying and troubled times, but be assured this will pass.
Non-Dietary Remedies
1) Avoid Obesity : If overweight, more pressure is put on your internal organs, including your stomach. This loosens the valve between the Stomach and Esophagus and allows acid to escape.
2) Eat early : Give a gap of 2 or 3 hours after your last meal and going to bed. Going to bed and lying down immediately after eating causes reflux.
3) Lie on an incline : Sleep upright as much as possible. Prop yourself up on a lot of pillows and lie on your left side. This position does not allow stomach acid to empty back into the esophagus.
4) Wear loose fitting clothes : Tight clothes that press on your stomach cause acids to rise and they press on your stomach.
5) No Smoking : Nicotine causes Acid reflux by relaxing the ring of muscle in the lower Esophagus that keeps acid in the stomach. When you smoke the ring relaxes, acid can trigger up and cause that burning sensation.
6) Exercise : Keep exercising regularly. Avoid any activity that causes a lot of bouncing or jiggling, as this can increase your risk of symptoms. Calmer activities, like walking, are more beneficial and essential. Daily exercise of 30 minutes minimum, is recommended.
7) Sleep : A restorative sleep is extremely important. Sleep restores, repairs and rejuvenates our body. So please make sure you get into a regular sleep pattern.
Dietary Remedies
1) Lemon & Ginger shots: have it after 20 mins of eating a cooked meal (3 times a day)- Take the juice of 1 Lemon & add a few drops of Ginger juice to it. Dilutewith an equal quantity of water. Lemon alkalinizes the body, and the ginger soothes the stomach. This is a tried and tested Home Remedy and, personally, have been having for several years.
2) Fennel and Caraway seeds: Take 1 tbsp of Fennel and half tbsp of Caraway seeds & boil in 1 litre of water. Strain & drink through the day. Also crush Fennel & Caraway seeds & seep in boiling water to make a tea. Sip after meals.
3) Three excellent fruits to focus on for Acid reflux :-
a) Papaya : the papain in it is great for acid reflux.
b) Bananas : it coat the lining of the stomach and have a natural Antacid effect.
c) Apples : have pectin, tartaric and malic acid which balance the pH levels in the body.
4) Peppermint & Chamomile tea : These 2 teas are particularly beneficial for Acid reflux as they help with digestive disorders.
5) Chew your food well : Eat slowly and chew your food well. Digestion begins in the mouth and this helps greatly.
6) Avoid Alcohol : Alcohol weakens the valve between your Stomach & Esophagus. It produces an excess of stomach acid which can cause severe stomach pain, vomiting and reflux.
7) Fermented foods: Kimchi, Kanji, Kombucha, Idli, Dhokla relieves Inflammation in your stomach and heals Stomach lining (Please include fermented foods in your diet).
8) Baking Soda : This helps neutralize acid in your stomach due to its high pH levels. It prevents acid rising into the Esophagus. Swallow a teaspoon when you are experiencing pain.
9) Chewing Gum : This activates your salivary glands. All the excess saliva you swallow helps dilute the content of your stomach and reduce Acid reflux.
10) Keep Hydrated : Make sure that you have the requisite amount of Water your body needs (35 ml per kilo body weighv. This will help keep the stomach acids in balance.
11) Do not eat Big Meals : Keep your stomach slightly empty by avoiding large meals. This will help prevent heartburn.
12) Keep your bodies as Alkaline as possible. We remain disease free when our bodies are alkaline (See blog on ‘How to keep your body Alkaline’).
Happy Healing from Naturally Dimpi!!