Natural Ways to Treat Acid Reflux

There are many natural ways to treat acid reflux. Prescription and over the counter drugs such as antacids and proton pump inhibitors were only designed to for occasional use or short-term care of the condition. For long term relief, certain lifestyle changes and dietary changes are usually necessary. What to eat with acid reflux is the subject of many diet plans and cookbooks.
Some people consider herbs and botanicals natural ways to treat acid reflux. Certain foods, botanicals and herbs are naturally more alkaline than acid and can help return the ph of the digestive system to a more neutral state. Many of these are included in diets that recommend what to eat with acid reflux. They may include ginger root, fennel seed, herbal teas, non-citrus fruits and most vegetables. Rather than recommending what to eat with acid reflux, some diets focus on what to avoid. Citrus fruits, tomatoes, onions, caffeinated beverages, garlic, chili powder, chocolate, fried and fatty foods are just some of the highly acidic foods that may need to be restricted or eliminated when acid reflux is a problem.
Other natural ways to treat acid reflux include changes in eating habits. Instead of focusing on what to eat with acid reflux, these recommendations focus on when and how much a person eats. It may still be necessary to avoid the more acidic foods, but eating smaller meals every couple of hours throughout the day, rather than two or three large meals can help. It is also recommended to try to eat your last meal at least three hours before bedtime, particularly when nighttime symptoms are present.
Another of the natural ways to treat acid reflux is raising the head of the bed about 6 inches higher than the foot of the bed. In this way, gravity helps keep stomach acid in the stomach. Some people experience symptoms such as hoarseness in the morning. This may be caused by acid particles traveling up the esophagus during sleep and irritating the vocal cords. Recommendations about what to eat with acid reflux are still included in treatment plans to relieve these symptoms of “silent” acid reflux, even though heartburn may not be present.
Other recommended natural ways to treat acid reflux may include changes in lifestyle. Many people lead fast paced stressful lives, but it is important to slow down for meals. A few minutes of deep breathing or meditation before meals can help relax the stomach and reduce acid reflux. If you follow all the recommendations about what to eat with acid reflux, but you still use tobacco products and drink alcoholic beverages then you may still have problems. Most experts recommend that those who suffer from acid reflux should not smoke and should reduce or exclude alcohol, particularly alcohol that is consumed in the evening.
Your doctor may be able to recommend other natural ways to treat acid reflux and most gastroenterologists have diet plans for what to eat with acid reflux. For more information about acid reflux and other digestive problems, visit www.digestive-disorder-guide.com.
Patsy Hamilton has more than twenty years experience as a healthcare professional and currently writes informational articles for the Digestive Disorders Guide. Read more at http://www.digestive-disorders-guide.com.
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