Acid Reflux Solutions

Three Natural Remedies for Acid Reflux Sufferers

March 8th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed

acid reflux disease is a painful condition caused by stomach acid irritating the esophagus by rising through the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). If we often hear the name acid reflux for this disorder; there are also other names used in the medical profession, like “gastro esophageal reflux disease” (GERD), “gastric reflux” or simply “reflux.”

acid reflux Symptoms That Can Be Treated

acid reflux symptoms include persistent, painful heartburn; back pain; regurgitation of small amounts of vomit into the mouth; a persistent, dry cough; nausea; a choking sensation at the back of the throat; and hoarseness of the voice.

acid reflux sufferers experience these symptoms after exercising, after eating, and often when they are trying to go to sleep. Of course, drastic treatments are available for acid reflux, including surgery and prescription drugs. However, it’s good to know that there are natural remedies that treat acid reflux without resorting to these invasive means.

The most important thing when using natural remedies to treat acid reflux is to try one remedy at a time and keep a journal that notes what remedy you tried, when, and how effective it was. Otherwise, if you try several remedies at the same time, you will never know which one or two of them were most effective in treating your GERD.

When acid reflux Prevents You from a Good Night Sleep

Since acid reflux often strikes acid reflux sufferers when they are attempting to sleep, several natural remedies for acid reflux involve helping sufferers get to sleep. One of the easiest home remedy that prevents acid reflux at night is to stop drinking and eating within three hours of going to bed. For example, if you go to bed at eleven o’clock at night, stop eating at eight o’clock, and drink only water before you go to bed. As we said earlier, don’t forget to make a note in your journal of whether you still experience acid reflux when you stop eating three hours before bedtime.

If you cannot control your meal schedule with such precision and the option of not eating three hours before bedtime is not for you, try sleeping on your left side. Indeed, sleeping on the left side has proven to be an effective natural remedy to treat acid reflux.

Another proven and effective acid reflux natural remedy consists of elevating the head end of your bed. However, simply using an extra pillow will probably not provide enough elevation. It is better to place risers under the legs of your bed frame or under your mattress to raise your head eight to ten inches above your feet.

In most cases, raising an inner spring mattresses in this matter makes them uncomfortable. It is preferable to use foam mattresses because they respond better to the change in elevation suggested by this natural remedy for acid reflux. If you think that buying a new mattress seems like a drastic natural remedy, remember that acid reflux is often treated by lifelong prescription medication or even surgery. I’m sure you’ll agree that the cost of a new mattress is pale in comparison to the cost and risks associated with those remedies.