Home Remedies for acid reflux and when to consult a doctor

Acid reflux or heartburn is a very common condition that occurs to people when acid from the stomach moves back to the food pipe or oesophagus. Acid reflux can lead you into a condition called Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease(GERD). The acid can even up to the throat and cause irritation in the lining tissues. It is highly recommended to seek expert medical assistance if this happens more often.

Acid reflux is triggered by lifestyle and diet changes. Pregnant women and obese people are more prone to this condition. People with asthma are also more likely to be affected by acid reflux. The most common symptoms include a bitter taste in the mouth, pain in the chest, a feeling of burning behind the breastbone, neck, and throat, coughing, and voice hoarseness. Mild cases of acid refluxes can be cured with over-the-counter medications and home remedies. However, severe conditions might need stronger medications and expert doctor consultation.

Here are six tips to treat or lessen the symptoms caused by acid reflux:

1. Maintain a healthy weight

The extra fat around the abdominal area puts a lot of pressure on the stomach thus making the process of keeping the acid down harder for the body. If you are an overweight person try to bring down your weight to a healthier level with diets and exercise. If you already have a healthy weight, keep maintaining it.

2. Avoid trigger foods and include food high in fibre

There are several trigger foods when it comes to acid reflux. Some of the most common trigger foods in our day-to-day diet are coffee, tea, chocolates, spicy food, mint, tomato, and fried foods. It is best advised to avoid these foods. You can also try to include high fibre rich foods like brown rice, chickpeas, beans, lentils, porridge oats, whole wheat breakfast cereals, etc. into your diet. 

3. Don’t go to sleep right after taking food

Eat early and make sure there is a long gap between your dinner and bedtime. There should be at least three to four hours of gap between your food intake and bedtime.

3. Home remedies

Following are a few home remedies that will help you in keeping your acid reflux under control.

• Banana
• Ginger
• Apple Vinegar cider
• Turmeric
• Marshmallow
• Honey
• Aloe Vera juice

4. Limit alcohol intake and quit smoking

Alcohol consumption can increase stomach acidity which in turn can trigger acid reflux symptoms even in healthy individuals. Similarly, smoking can also increase acid reflux. It is highly advisable to limit your alcohol intake as well as avoid smoking and second-hand smoking to ease out the acid reflux symptoms.  

5. Say no to tight clothing

Tight clothing can cause unnecessary pressure on the stomach. Always go for loose clothing or pants with elastic instead of tight belts to relieve the pressure of clothing on the abdominal area.

These home remedies are helpful, cheap, and effective to a large extent and will help you in keeping your acid reflux in control. However, if you are not experiencing any kind of changes or if the symptoms continue to persist, it is an indication that you might be having GERD or some other conditions. In such cases, consult a doctor immediately.