The hydrochloric acid present in the stomach allows the breakdown of food so that the body can assimilate the nutrients it needs to carry out its normal functions. However, those who suffer from gastric reflux can suffer damage to the esophagus accompanied by irritation, inflammation and pain due to stomach acid. It is important to focus on long-term treatments to cure this ailment so that the esophagus has time to heal. Medicines that treat acid reflux can also help reduce the damage.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Changing the Lifestyle
Step 1. Eat the right food at the right time
Fried and fatty foods, alcoholic beverages, tomatoes, and caffeinated beverages, such as coffee, tea, and soft drinks in general, can increase stomach acid. Try to eliminate these substances from your diet if you want to allow the esophagus to heal.
- You should limit other foods as well. Dairy products, such as whole milk, cheese, butter and sour cream are not suitable. You should also give up those foods that contain mint or spearmint; acidic fruits such as oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit and pineapple are also not suitable if you suffer from gastric reflux.
- If you still find yourself consuming these foods, drink plenty of water and eat the appropriate foods to dilute their effect.
Step 2. Have small, but frequent meals
Divide your usual meal rations into five or seven times throughout the day and avoid eating two or three hours before sleep. The esophageal sphincter relaxes when the stomach is too full, thus causing hydrochloric acid to rise towards the walls of the esophagus. In other words, if you eat too much, your esophagus makes you aware of it. It's best to avoid getting to this point by eating small portions, but more often.
Most people suffer from this disorder after a restaurant lunch. Eating at home is not that frequent, but at restaurants you always try to finish what is on your plate and the portions are too large. To avoid regretting it, take some food off your plate right away and put it in the take-out bag so you can eat it later
Step 3. Include healthy foods in your daily diet
There are some foods you should eat every day to combat gastric reflux. Among these consider:
- Oatmeal. It makes you feel full without causing gastric reflux and also absorbs the acid contained in the fruit, if you eat a small amount; therefore, it is of great help in lowering the level of acidity in the stomach.
- Ginger. Contains anti-inflammatory elements capable of reducing various gastrointestinal problems. Peel or slice the root and add it to your favorite dishes.
- Green leafy vegetables. They contain few calories, no saturated fat and are the most recommended foods for those suffering from this disorder. The important thing is to avoid tomatoes, onions, cheeses and high-fat seasoning sauces. Try eating asparagus, cauliflower, parsley, and other green leafy vegetables.
- White meat. Red meats like steaks and beef are hard to digest, so you should opt for chicken and turkey meat. You can also prepare excellent soups with chicken; However, keep in mind that its skin contains a lot of fat, so take it off before cooking. Poultry can be boiled or broiled, but avoid frying it.
- Seafood. Just like chicken, fish, shrimp and other seafood also reduce gastric reflux; make sure you don't eat them fried though. They are easily digestible and contain very little fat, which is why they help prevent gastric reflux and heartburn.
Step 4. Drink lots of water
You should drink at least 8 to 12 glasses of water a day to avoid dehydration. This also dilutes the acids contained in the stomach and intestines, making the environment more alkaline. Hair, skin, nails and all internal organs also benefit.
Step 5. Stay fit and healthy
Obesity and excess weight are among the main risk factors for gastric reflux. Set up a training program consisting mostly of simple exercises that can help you burn calories and start eating healthier. Thirty minutes of walking in the park allows you to burn up to 100 calories. Sticking to a diet does not mean going hungry. Exercise more, reduce daily portions and consume low-calorie foods, in order to get better. You don't have to get hungry.
- Stay active to fight heart disease, diabetes, and a host of other health problems. In your free time, dedicate to activities such as dancing, horseback riding or golf. It's nice to be able to burn calories while doing something enjoyable. Afterward, slowly increase physical activity as you feel stronger.
- Calculate your body mass index (BMI) and start losing weight. The normal BMI level is between 18.5 and 24.9, so you can easily tell if your weight is within the average. You can calculate your BMI manually by dividing your body weight in kilos by the square of your height in meters or you can use an online calculator.
- Calculate the daily calories you need and keep track of the food you eat. 3500 calories correspond to about 500 g of weight. So, if you are thinking of losing a pound every week, you need to reduce your daily requirement by 500 calories.
Step 6. Stop smoking and drinking alcohol
Smoking irritates the lining of the esophagus causing more inflammation and pain. If you can't quit, you can at least gradually reduce the amount of cigarettes per day. If your health isn't a topic that motivates you enough to make you quit, at least do so to get rid of the annoying daily heartburn.
Drinking beer and other carbonated drinks can also damage the walls of the esophagus and stomach. It would be best to avoid both smoking and alcohol altogether
Step 7. Raise the bed a little on the head side when you sleep
You can raise your head by placing a few extra pillows, so that it is about 6 to 8 inches higher. By lifting your upper body a little, you can actually reduce symptoms. This way you avoid acid reflux or other elements present in the stomach during sleep.
Another aspect that should not be underestimated is getting enough sleep. Getting adequate rest and sleep relaxes the body, allows it to heal and rebuild damaged tissues and muscles throughout the day. Sleep is great medicine in this regard, so try to get at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep a night
Part 2 of 4: Using Home Remedies
Step 1. Get Apple Cider Vinegar
Although it may seem counterintuitive, since acidic foods are not recommended for gastric reflux, the acetic acid contained in this substance is actually weaker than the hydrochloric acid in the stomach. Its intake therefore helps to rebalance the production of acid in the stomach, creating an environment that is as neutral as possible.
- Apple cider vinegar is available in major supermarkets and health food stores. Add one or two teaspoons to 240ml of water and drink the solution before meals. If you wish, you can also add a teaspoon of honey to improve the flavor.
- You can also make tasty salad dressings with this vinegar.
Step 2. Drink a solution of water and baking soda
You can mix ½ teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water to make a natural antacid solution. Since bicarbonate is a basic substance, it neutralizes the acidity of the gastric environment.
However, use baking soda with caution; has a high sodium content, which is harmful to people suffering from acid reflux
Step 3. Drink aloe vera juice
With the leaves and the gel of this plant you can make a juice. Aloe vera contains glycoproteins, which have essential beneficial properties to reduce irritation of the esophagus, and polysaccharides, which stimulate tissue healing. Aloe vera is one of the medicinal plants approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
- Drink 60 or 90ml of this plant juice on an empty stomach or 20 minutes before eating to reduce the risk of gastric reflux.
- Don't abuse this remedy, though, as it has laxative effects.
Step 4. Drink ginger tea with honey
Ginger contains natural anti-inflammatory substances, while honey lines the walls of the esophagus, protecting it from inflammation. Add 2 to 4 grams of powdered ginger to hot water to make the drink. You can also cut a small piece of the root, break it into small pieces and boil them. Add a teaspoon or more of honey to enhance the flavor of the herbal tea.
Make sure it's not too hot, you don't have to scald the esophagus
Step 5. Get some sugar-free chewing gum
Chew sugarless gum for 30 minutes after eating to increase saliva production and try to neutralize stomach acid. In this way, moreover, you allow the acids present in the intestine to be expelled more easily, thanks to the greater amount of saliva ingested.
Step 6. Try licorice
Its root has been used for centuries in cooking and as a natural medicine. Take deglycyrrhizinated licorice, available in tablets that you can chew for about 15 minutes before eating, to protect the lining of the stomach, esophagus and to prevent future gastric reflux.
Licorice increases the number of cells that secrete mucus in the stomach and prolongs the life of the intestinal ones; at the same time, it improves microcirculation in the gastrointestinal tract
Part 3 of 4: Taking Medication
Step 1. Start taking antacids
These drugs neutralize the acidity level of the stomach. In addition, they help accumulate mucous secretions, while bicarbonate raises the pH of the stomach making it less acidic. Among the best known brands are Tums and Gaviscon.
Antacids allow you to temporarily relieve discomfort, but do not fight gastric reflux in the long run. While they are great for solving an immediate problem, you need to find other treatments so you don't have to rely on them for too long
Step 2. Talk to your doctor about H2 receptor antagonists
This class of drugs prevents histamine from binding to H2 receptors, thereby reducing acid secretions in the stomach. It also prevents new acid production, so that the esophagus and stomach can heal without more gastric reflux symptoms. Among these drugs we remember Zantac, Tagamet and Pepcid.
- Famotidine (Pepcid) is available in doses of 20 and 40 mg. Take 20 mg twice a day for 6 weeks.
- Nizatidine (Axid) is found in doses of 150 and 300 mg. Take 150 mg twice a day.
- Ranitidine (Zantac) is sold in doses of 150 and 300 mg. Again take 150 mg twice a day.
Step 3. Evaluate Proton Pump Inhibitors
These drugs are able to reduce the production of acid by blocking the enzyme that produces it and which is found on the walls of the stomach. The most common active substances are omeprazole, lansoprazole and pantoprazole.
- Lansoprazole is a proton pump inhibitor available without prescription in doses of 15 and 30 mg. You can take 15 mg once a day for 8 weeks.
- A prescription is required for esomeprazole (Nexium) and pantoprazole. The doctor will decide the dosage suitable for your specific case.
- Omeprazole (Antra) is another over-the-counter drug, available in dosages of 10, 20 and 40 mg. You can take 20 mg once a day for 4 weeks.
Step 4. Learn about prokinetics
These drugs accelerate gastric emptying. A prescription is required and you can only take them if your doctor thinks they are suitable for your specific case. Among these drugs are:
- Bethanechol (Urecoline);
- Domperidone (Motilium);
- Metoclopramide (Reglan).
Step 5. Don't rule out the possibility of surgery
It is necessary when you cannot take drugs for too long or when other therapies do not lead to the desired results; it is also indicated in severe cases. This is the only method that treats the cause of the disorder rather than just managing the symptoms. Gastric reflux often recurs when you stop treatments, although medications and lifestyle changes still help. The surgery consists of a minimally invasive procedure called fundoplication according to Nissen-Rossetti. The surgeon wraps the final portion of the esophagus, where the sphincter is located, with the wall of the gastric fundus.
It is an innovative surgical procedure that does not require incisions because it is performed passing through the mouth; this greatly reduces the recovery time, while guaranteeing the same results as other more invasive interventions
Step 6. Consider getting more intense treatments
If gastric reflux has caused severe damage to your esophagus, such as erosive esophagitis, Barrett's esophagus, or even a tumor, your doctor will refer you to a number of different treatments depending on the severity of the condition. In these cases, it is often necessary to perform an endoscopy to check for damage. Depending on the condition of your stomach and esophagus, either a biopsy will be done to make sure the cells are not cancerous or you will simply be advised for drug therapy.
If a tumor or other serious problem is found, you will need to undergo other surgeries, such as radiofrequency ablation
Part 4 of 4: Understanding Gastric Reflux
Step 1. Find out about the disorder
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, also known as gastric reflux or GERD, is a condition that occurs when stomach contents return to the esophagus. Gastric acid travels back to the bottom of the esophagus causing pain, burning, and sometimes even erosion of the tissues of the esophageal lining. About 25-35% of Americans, for example, suffer from this problem, which is quite annoying and quite painful in some cases.
- Discomfort can be rated on a scale that measures the severity of pain where the minimum is moderate burning and the maximum is severe burning pain in the chest, similar to a heart attack.
- The pain comes from the gastric fluid (which has a very low pH) and moves towards the esophagus, an environment not suitable for receiving it and where it should not be.
Step 2. Recognize the causes
The backflow of gastric fluids into the esophagus, which is responsible for gastric reflux, is caused by the lower esophageal sphincter loosening. Another cause can be the force of gravity, which affects the digestive phase, for example when you lie down immediately after a meal. It can also be caused by overeating and putting too much pressure on the lower sphincter, forcing the contents of the stomach to travel back to the esophagus.
Other factors that can cause gastric reflux are smoking, obesity, excessive sodium consumption, low fiber intake, limited exercise, and some drug therapies
Step 3. Be aware of any underlying medical conditions
There can be several underlying causes of this disorder, such as pregnancy or a hiatal hernia, a hole in the diaphragm that causes the upper stomach to enter the chest cavity.
- Gastric reflux can cause other conditions, such as Barrett's esophagus.
- See your doctor if you are concerned that gastric reflux may be caused by an underlying problem or if you are concerned that it may lead to complications.
