The stomach contains many natural acid secretions that help break down food and protect the gastrointestinal system from infections. If these substances are present in excessive quantities, however, they can cause unpleasant symptoms, pain and even serious health problems. The most common symptom is stomach acid (also called gastroesophageal reflux), which occurs when stomach acids travel up the esophagus. If you suffer from this disorder often, you may have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which can damage your esophagus and throat. The best thing to do to manage the problem is to reduce excess stomach acid.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Seeking Medical Treatment for GERD
Step 1. See your doctor if necessary
If you make any lifestyle changes but don't notice any improvement in your symptoms, you need to see your doctor. Long-term gastroesophageal reflux can lead to damage to the esophagus and other serious health problems. Long-lasting inflammation and frequent injury can also increase the risk of developing esophageal cancer. Don't hesitate to see your doctor if the changes in your daily habits have not resolved your stomach acid problem.
Step 2. Ask your doctor for medication recommendations
Medical treatments for GERD differ according to the severity of the disorder. Many drugs are available in pharmacies for free sale. However, check with your doctor to make sure you are getting the right treatment for your specific situation. If he recommends an over-the-counter drug, you can buy it without a prescription; strictly follow the instructions regarding the dosage of the specific medicine, to avoid possible serious side effects.
- For cases of mild or moderate GERD: if symptoms occur at most once a week, take antacids (Maalox) as needed to neutralize the acids. These medicines offer relief within minutes, but only for about an hour. Alternatively, take a drug to protect the lining of both the stomach and esophagus (sucralfate) while promoting healing. Another solution is represented by histamine H2 receptor antagonists (Zantac), which reduce acid secretions.
- For severe or frequent cases of GERD (two or more episodes per week): take proton pump inhibitors (omeprazole, lansoprazole, esomeprazole, pantoprazole, dexlansoprazole, rabeprazole) to prevent acid gastric secretions. Some of these drugs are available for free and their standard dosage is usually one tablet to be taken for 8 weeks. Side effects include bacterial infections, diarrhea, anemia, osteoporosis, and interactions with other drugs.
Step 3. Consider getting an endoscopy
To perform a screening endoscopy of the upper gastric tract, the doctor inserts a flexible tube with a camera to examine the throat, esophagus, and stomach. During the procedure he could also remove a sample of the tissues (biopsy) to evaluate the inflammation, check for the presence of H. pylori (a type of bacterium) and rule out other problems, such as cancer. Talk to your doctor to determine if your symptoms require an endoscopy.
Step 4. Be willing to have surgery if your doctor feels it is necessary
Although rarely, GERD symptoms do not improve with medication; in this case it is necessary to intervene surgically. One such approach (fundoplication) involves wrapping the upper stomach around the esophagus, which is then stitched in place to strengthen the opening of the esophagus. Another approach is to wrap a band of magnetic balls around where the esophagus meets the stomach. The procedure closes the lower part of the esophagus, which can expand when you ingest food, to allow it to pass into the stomach.
Young people who have been suffering from gastroesophageal reflux for a long time may consider surgery
Method 2 of 3: Using Natural and Alternative Therapies
Step 1. Try natural remedies
There haven't been many studies done on these natural treatments for gastric reflux. Although not fully accepted by the scientific community, they can relieve symptoms.
- Baking soda: Add half or a teaspoon of baking soda to a glass of water to try to neutralize stomach acid;
- Aloe vera: drink the juice to relieve the burning sensation;
- Infusion of ginger or chamomile: it is believed that they can reduce tension, relieve nausea and facilitate digestion;
- Licorice and cumin: both of these plants are known to help relieve symptoms;
- Chewable tablets of deglycyrrinized licorice root extract (DGL): this is a supplement available in major health food stores;
- Mastic (gum arabic): You can find it easily in many drugstores and health food stores.
Step 2. Be careful with natural therapies
You may have heard that mint helps relieve gastric reflux, but some studies have found that its oil actually aggravates the situation. Another common belief to dispel is that milk can soothe discomfort. While it's true that milk can neutralize stomach acid for some time, it actually stimulates more stomach acid in the long run.
Step 3. Increase salivation
Studies have shown that increased saliva production can neutralize stomach acids. You can increase it by chewing on gum or sucking on candy; However, make sure that they are made without sugar, to avoid taking in excess calories.
Step 4. Evaluate acupuncture
This may seem like a scary procedure, but some research has found that it can improve reflux symptoms and stomach acid. However, the mechanism behind these effects is still not well understood from a scientific point of view.
Method 3 of 3: Making Lifestyle Changes
Step 1. Eat a healthy and balanced diet
By this we mean a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat or low-fat dairy products. In addition, lean proteins (low in fat), such as poultry, fish and legumes, must be included. You should also eat foods containing a reduced amount of saturated and trans fat, cholesterol, sodium (salt), and added sugars. You can do a search online to find many sites that describe the most effective balanced diets for staying healthy.
Step 2. Achieve and maintain a healthy body mass index (BMI)
This is a criterion used by doctors to indicate a weight that is within the norm. The BMI describes the weight range considered healthy based on height and gender; when it respects the limits of normality, it goes from 18, 5 to 24, 9. If it is less than 18, 5 it means that the person is underweight; if it goes from 25 to 29, 9 the subject is overweight, while if it exceeds the value of 30 the subject is obese.
- Use an online calculator to find your BMI.
- Adjust your diet and exercise to bring your BMI back to normal.
Step 3. Calculate the calories you consume, to lose weight or keep it within limits
You can check nutritional tables that determine the calories needed to keep weight under control in a simple and effective way. Make sure your diet meets the recommended amount of calories every single day. You can calculate your daily calorie requirement by multiplying your body weight by 22. So, if you weigh 80 kg, you need to consume 1760 calories a day to maintain a "healthy" weight.
- Note that this value can vary based on gender, age and physical activity level. If you want to get more accurate data, use an online calculator.
- The best way to lose weight is to lose about half a kilo per week. Half a kilo of fat equals about 3500 calories, so you should reduce your calorie intake by 500 calories per day (500 calories x 7 days / week = 3500 calories / 7 days = half a kilo / week).
- You can use an online site or smartphone app to help you keep track of the calories you eat.
Step 4. Avoid eating large portions
Eat your meals slowly and take small bites, chewing them thoroughly to aid digestion. If you eat large bites and chew little, your stomach needs more time to break down food, which can lead to overeating. By eating quickly, you also ingest more air, which causes bloating and gas production.
The stomach takes 20 minutes to send the satiety signal to the brain. For this reason, people who eat fast tend to consume too much food
Step 5. Avoid foods that can aggravate the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux
Unfortunately, there is no list of specific foods that have been scientifically proven to be useful for treating GERD. However, you can avoid those foods that are known to aggravate the problem:
- Beverages containing caffeine (coffee, tea, soft drinks);
- Foods that contain chemical elements similar to caffeine (chocolate, mint);
- Alcoholic beverages;
- Spicy foods (chilli, curry, spicy mustard);
- Acidic foods (citrus fruits, tomatoes, vinegar-based sauces and dressings);
- Large amounts of foods that cause bloating and gas (cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, legumes, dairy products, and high-fat foods)
- Sugar and sugary foods.
Step 6. Maintain a regular physical activity schedule
The American Heart Association recommends doing at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity 5 days a week, or a combination of 25 minutes of intense aerobic exercise for three days and high intensity muscle strength training twice a week.
- If you think this is more than you are capable of, remember that something is better than nothing! Do your best to practice as much as you can. Even a short walk is better than sitting on the sofa!
- The more calories you burn through exercise, the more you can take in with food. There are many online programs that can help you keep track of calories and how exercise affects the amount of food you can eat each day.
Step 7. Avoid overexertion or exercise too hard, especially right after meals
Depending on the foods you have eaten, the stomach can take up to 3-5 hours to digest and empty. If you want to avoid gastric reflux, let at least some time pass or eat reduced meals before engaging in exercise.
Step 8. Avoid bad habits, which can aggravate symptoms
If you smoke or otherwise use tobacco products, you need to quit as soon as possible. Alcohol can also make stomach acid worse, so you should avoid or cut it down considerably. Plus, you shouldn't lie down right after eating either. If you can't help it, at least try sleeping by putting a few pillows under your head to lift your upper body.
Advice
- If you are having a stomach acid attack, avoid lying on your back as this will allow the acids to travel up the esophagus.
- Keep a journal noting all the foods you eat, the time it takes to complete the meal, and any symptoms that occur within an hour that may be associated with acidity. This makes it easier to identify the causes of acid accumulation.
Warnings
- Although the main cause of excessive stomach acid is the food you eat, mood swings, stress levels, and alcohol abuse can also cause this problem for some people. If the stomach environment is consistently too acidic it can lead to serious health problems, such as a deterioration of the esophagus or the development of ulcers. If you have persistent symptoms of stomach acid, you should see your doctor.
- Even an environment that is too low in acid can be as bad for your health as a stomach with excessive acidity levels. If you overdo the intake of antacids (as well as other drugs or similar treatments), you alter the digestive process and are unable to assimilate all the nutritional values. It is extremely important that you strictly adhere to the guidelines described on the packaging of over-the-counter or prescription medications for treating stomach acid.
- Excessive consumption of prescription antacids can reduce stomach acid, but at the same time lead to a deficiency of vitamin B12, which in turn leads to pernicious anemia. It is a serious disease that can even lead to death if left untreated. The stomach must work with an adequate level of acidity to properly digest foods and absorb vital nutrients, but this is not possible if the acidic environment is inhibited by prescription drugs.
