Is acid reflux giving you a sore throat and making you sound hoarse? Here are six effective ways to treat and relieve acid reflux symptoms.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease, also referred to as GERD or chronic acid reflux, is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders, affecting approximately 20% of American adults.
While the most frequently used treatments involve medications such as omeprazole, not all medications are made equal.
Some can help patients treat their symptoms, while others can cause further complications that could put a patient’s health and safety at risk.
Take for example Pfizer’s Nexium.
The company is facing recent lawsuits against Nexium, a proton pump inhibitor that has been found to cause strokes, bone fractures, acute kidney injury, renal failure, and heart damage in patients.
As of February 2021, over 13,000 lawsuits have been filed with the federal courts against Nexium.
If you’re one of the thousands who have been affected by the negative side effects of this drug, Schmidt & Clark, LLP can help you get just compensation for your troubles.
6 Natural Ways To Treat And Relieve Acid Reflux
Below, we’ve made a list of six (6) effective ways to treat and relieve acid reflux symptoms, so you can continue living a healthier and more comfortable life.
Don’t Overeat
In people with acid reflux, the lower esophageal sphincter — which is responsible for keeping food from flowing back into the esophagus — is weakened. This is why it’s no surprise that overeating can aggravate acid reflux symptoms.
Eating slowly and sparingly can help minimize acid reflux.
Avoid Food Triggers
Certain foods (e.g., spicy and oily foods) can trigger acid reflux. Some other less known foods that can trigger acid reflux are:
- Chocolate
- Tomatoes
- Mint
- Tea
Eliminating or eating less of these food triggers can help prevent acid reflux, as well as give your body time to heal from previous attacks.
Lose Weight
In healthy people, the diaphragm naturally strengthens the lower esophageal sphincter. But when you’re overweight, the fat that’s gathered around your abdomen can push the sphincter upward and away from the diaphragm’s support.
This condition is called a hiatus hernia.
A hiatus hernia can increase your risk of experiencing GERD or acid reflux. This is especially true for obese and pregnant women.
Avoid Lying Down After Meals
When you lie down directly after eating, stomach acid could rise and cause feelings of discomfort, such as heartburn. Wait at least three to four hours after eating a meal before going to bed. You can take a walk while you’re passing the time. Even sitting down to read a book would be better than lying down.
These practices can help keep stomach acid where it belongs.
Go Low-Carb
Extensive research has shown that low-carb diets may relieve acid reflux symptoms.
Undigested carbs that settle in the abdomen might be causing bacterial overgrowth and elevated pressure. Experts believe that this may be the most common cause of acid reflux or GERD.
Further studies are still to be conducted on the benefits of low-carb diets for acid reflux or GERD.
Sleep On an Incline
Some people experience acid reflux during the night, which can make sleeping a challenging chore to achieve.
Sleeping on an incline — at least 6 to 8 inches higher than your feet — can help reduce your acid reflux symptoms at night. You can do this by using foam wedges or “extra tall” bed risers that elevate your head.
The Bottom Line
While GERD or acid reflux can feel uncomfortable at best, medication isn’t always the right answer. For less severe cases, changing the way you consume food as well as upping your physical activity to maintain a healthy weight can help relieve your symptoms of acid reflux.
Hope this guide helps you out!
