Acid reflux or heartburn is one of the most common gastrointestinal problems among adults and when you are suffering from it on a weekly basis then you might be suffering from gerd or gastroesophageal reflux disease. The most common cause for gerd is your diet but that is not all.
There are other common causes of gerd such as stress, anxiety and habits that can trigger the symptoms. Treatment of gerd is possible through simple home remedies that manage and reduce the incidence.
Effective Home Remedies For GERD
Stomach acid or food items with high acid contents can cause severe acid reflux. Most people resort to antacid pills and medications to treat and neutralize the excess but if you are suffering from frequent instances then one can opt for simple home remedies that can also neutralize the situation without any discomfort or side effects.
Chewing Gum
After your meals, chew sugarless gum. This stimulates saliva production and helps in diluting the stomach contents further helping in washing off the refluxed liquids into the stomach. Alternatively, one can also drink at least two glasses of water after meals to treat gerd.
Changes in Diet
One of the most efficient home remedies for gerd is to avoid foods that cause it such as coffee, chocolate, alcohol, and spicy food. Also, one must avoid wheat grains and dairy products that can cause gerd.
Eating Time
If you are suffering from gerd then you must check your eating time. Avoid eating just before bedtime; instead make sure that there is a two hour gap between your meal and bedtime. You must allow your stomach to digest the food and then sleep.
Exercise
Work out on a regular basis and maintain a healthy weight and this can help in the treatment of gerd. If you are overweight and suffering from gerd opt for loosing not more than a couple of pounds on a weekly basis. Losing more than that can trigger severe health disorders.
Clothing
People suffering from gerd must avoid wearing tight clothes that pressure that stomach. Wear comfortable and loose clothes allowing your skin and stomach breathe.
Head Elevation
Sleep with your head elevated to treat gerd. For best results, the elevation must be approximately nine inches allowing the gravity to keep acid reflux at bay. For the elevation use wooden blocks instead of pillows; doing this on a daily basis can help in the treatment of gerd.
Stop Smoking
Smoking reduces the production of saliva and this can cause acid reflux. Hence, decrease smoking if you want to reduce the occurrence of gerd and other stomach related problems.
Milk
Known to be a natural antacid, milk can neutralize the stomach acid. Though effective, it is known to only offer short-term relief.
Low Acid Food
The most effective way to treat gerd is to neutralize the stomach acid and once can do so through low acid food items. Few of the best food items that are known to treat gerd are soy milk with a neutral pH of 7.00, the shellfish, conch, egg white, cooked corn, lobster, and peanut soup.
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