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Do you always feel a burning sensation on the area near your chest especially after a meal? If you do so, you might have acid reflux disease. This disease, also called heartburn, is the flowing back of the stomach acid upwards to the esophagus and sometimes to the mouth. Nearly every American adult experiences this acid reflux.
The general cause of reflux disease is the person’s lifestyle and diet. The obese population regularly experiences the acid reflux. The same happens with smokers and alcohol drinkers. That is due to the kind of food and lifestyle they have.
Fatty foods play a large part in the development of this disease. Fats are very difficult to digest and therefore they contribute to the delay of gastric emptying, making the person more at risk to experience an acid reflux.
Smoking and alcohol both have properties that trigger the stomach to produce higher amounts of gastric acid. Moreover, both cigarette and alcohol relax the lower esophageal sphincter which prevents the gastric acid backflow from the stomach to the esophagus. If you are a smoker and an alcohol drinker, acid reflux disease is without a doubt, an impending condition to occur.
Aside from smoking, alcohol and fatty foods, drugs and other types of foods also trigger increased acid production and relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter. But make no worries because there are drugs and natural remedies that can give you relief for the pain of acid reflux disease.
Lifestyle and Diet Modifications and Natural Remedies
1. Wear loose shirts and pants.
2. Do not lie down, exercise, or bend over after eating.
3. Do not take large meals. You can, however, take small but frequent meals every day.
4. When sleeping, adjust the head part of the bed inches high.
5. Avoid smoking, caffeinated drinks, alcohol and fatty foods at night or even during the day.
6. Drink warm liquid.
7. Drink a mix of apple cider in water after or during each meal.
8. Relax the mind and body to reduce stress by performing yoga and/or meditation regularly.
Over-the-Counter Drugs
1. Antacids
Antacids or anti-acids have been very effective since long ago as relief for the pain of acid reflux disease. Taking Maalox or Mylanta will help in neutralizing the acidity of the stomach acid to relieve the pain and burning sensation. Antacids should be taken during attacks of reflux disease or after meals.
2. H2 Receptor Antagonists
H2 receptor antagonists or H2 blockers reduce the production of gastric juices. Examples of H2 blockers are ranitidine and cimetidine. Unlike antacids, H2 blockers should be taken before meals.
3. Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPI)
PPI are commonly used by patients with ulcer. PPI acts by antagonizing the acidic property of the gastric juice and reduce the production of stomach acid as well. Examples of PPI are omeprazole, esomeprazole and lameprazole. Just like H2 blockers, PPI should be taken before meals.
If these remedies aren’t enough to relieve the heartburn, it is best to consult a physician. Acid reflux may also be a symptom of an underlying serious condition.
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Source by Richard Jarvis