Acid reflux: Causes, symptoms, and some home remedies

Sometimes do you feel some kind of ache in your lower chest right after eating something?

There is a valve right from the entry point to your stomach which is known as the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). It usually closes when the food passes from the valve but if it doesn't, then the stomach acid reaches back to the esophagus. And that is why you can feel that burning sensation which is known as acid reflux or heartburn or acid indigestion or pyrosis.

If it occurred more than once a week, then you might be suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

What are the causes?

The usual reason for acid reflux is your stomach functioning abnormally which is known as hiatal hernia. This happens when the LES and the upper portion of the stomach which stores digestive enzymes proceed over the diaphragm. But hiatal hernia causes the enzymes to reach up the esophagus and results in acid reflux.

Risk factors:

Here are the risk factors of acid reflux:

• Having a heavy meal and lying down just after having meal

• Obesity

• Lying over your back after a heavy meal

• Having some food items like chocolate, garlic, tomatoes, mint, onions, citrus, spicy or fat foods.

• Drinking alcohol and carbonated drinks

• Smoking

• Pregnancy

• Taking certain medications.

What are the symptoms?

The usual signs of acid reflux are heartburn; a burning sensation that may reach up from your stomach to the chest or an acidic sour or bitter sensing reaching up to the throat.

Other signs are:

1. Blood in stools or while puking

2. Bloating

3. Burping

4. Feeling as if food is stuck in the throat

5. Hiccups

6. Nausea

7. Losing weight

8. Sore throat, dry cough

Treatment:

In order to treat acid reflux, you must make some efforts to make changes in your lifestyle. Here is what you can do:

• Have a small amount of meal at regular intervals all over the day.
• Avoid smoking
• Always use pillows under your head while sleeping
• Have meals just two hours before going to bed
• Avoid wearing tight cloths or belts while sleeping
• If you are suffering from obesity, then it's important to take care of weight control measures and changes in diet.
• Consulting a doctor is quite a better option if you are observing any signs.

Home remedies for acid reflux:

There exist several acid reflux and heartburn remedies that you can try at home to get some relief. They are as follows:

1. Apple cider vinegar:

Sometimes having two spoonfuls of apple cider vinegar with water can ease your heartburn.

2. Probiotics:

probiotics can also be effective for acid indigestion. But make sure to consult a doctor first.

3. Chewing gums:

Chewing gums that are sugar-free after having a meal can prevent you from indigestion

4. Aloe vera juice:

Sometimes having aloe vera juice can be effective for stomach acid and reduces discomfort.

5. Bananas:

Bananas are low in acid which is quite beneficial for digestion.

Also read: Check out this healthy food for weight loss

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