There are other dietary restrictions as well. Dairy products, such as whole milk, cheese, butter, and sour cream, are also to be avoided. Also avoid food containing peppermint or spearmint. There are also fruits you should avoid as well, such as oranges, lemons, lime, grapefruit, and pineapples. If you do find yourself consuming these foods, drink plenty of water and eat approved foods to dilute their acidic powers.
Most of us frequently have this issue out at restaurants. At home it isn’t so bad, but at restaurants it’s just so tempting to finish what’s in front of you, which is often too much. To avoid the impending disaster, box up half of your meal at the very beginning. You can take it home to eat later later. [3] X Research source
Oatmeal. Oatmeal makes you feel full without causing reflux. It also absorbs the acid in fruits if you add a small amount. This will considerably aid in lowering the acidity in the stomach. Ginger. Ginger contains anti-inflammatory ingredients to help treat various gastrointestinal problems. Peel or slice ginger roots and add it to your favorite recipes. Green vegetables. Green leafy vegetable contain low calories and zero saturated fat. It’s the most recommended diet for patients suffering from acid reflux. Just be sure to stay away from using tomatoes, onions, cheese, and high-fat salad dressing. Try asparagus, cauliflower, parsley, and other green vegetables. White meat. Red meats such as steak and beef are hard to digest, so go for chicken and turkey meats instead. Chicken makes good soup, too. The chicken skin contains a high amount of fat, though, so remove it before cooking. Poultry meats can be boiled or grilled; avoid eating them fried. Seafood. Just like poultry, fish, shrimp, and other seafood also help avoid acid reflux. Just don’t fry them. Seafood is easily digested and is very low in fat and therefore helps prevent reflux and avoid heartburn.
Having an active lifestyle can fight off heart disease, diabetes, and a number of other health issues as well. Focus on leisure activities like dancing, horseback rides, or golf. It’s fun to burn calories while doing what you love. Then, slowly increase your physical activity as you get stronger. Determine your body mass index and start losing weight. The normal body mass index (BMI) range from 18. 5 to 24. 9. This will help you determine if your weight is currently on the normal range. You can manually calculate your BMI by dividing your body weight in kilograms by your height in meters squared, or you could use an online guide or calculator. [5] X Trustworthy Source National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Research and education center within the National Institutes of Health Go to source Count your daily required calories and track the food that you eat. A total of 3500 calories is equivalent to 1 pound. So if you plan to lose 1 pound per week, you need to cut 500 calories from your daily required caloric intake.
Drinking beer and other carbonated beverages can also cause harm to the linings of the esophagus and stomach. It is best to have total abstinence from smoking and drinking.
While you’re at it, get enough sleep, too. Having enough rest and enough hours of sleep will allow your body to relax, repair, and build up damaged tissues and muscles in the body. Muscle and tissue repairs happen when the body is at rest or in a sleeping state. Enough sleep is at least seven to eight hours per day.
Apple cider vinegar is available in many grocery stores and supermarkets. Mix one to two tablespoons with eight ounces of water before meals. You may also add a teaspoon of honey to improve its taste. Apple cider vinegar makes tasty vegetable salad dressing, too. [6] X Research source
Take precaution when using baking soda, however, because this is high in sodium. Too much sodium is definitely not a good thing, especially for acid reflux. [7] X Research source
Drink two to three ounces of aloe vera juice in an empty stomach or 20 minutes before a meal to treat acid reflux. Be careful not to use this remedy too much because it’s a known laxative. [8] X Research source
Make sure it’s not too hot. You don’t want to burn your esophagus.
Licorice increases the number of mucous secreting cells in the stomach and enhances the life of intestinal cells as well. Likewise, it improves the microcirculation in the gastrointestinal tract. [11] X Research source
These are more of a crutch than anything and won’t fight long-term acid reflux. While they’re great in the here and now, you should seek other methods of treatment so you don’t have to rely on antacids for long periods of time.
Famotidine (Pepcid) is available in 20mg and 40mg. You can take 20mg twice daily for six weeks. Nizatidine (Axid) is available in 150mg and 300mg. You can take 150mg twice daily. Ranitidine (Zantac) is available in 150mg and 300mg. You can take 150mg twice daily.
Lansoprazole (Prevacid) is an over-the-counter PPI, available in 15 and 30mg. You can take 15mg once daily for eight weeks. Esomeprazole (Nexium) and pantoprazole (Protonix) require a prescription. Your doctor will determine the course of these drugs. Omeprazole (Prilosec) is an OTC PPI, available in 10mg, 20mg, and 40mg. You can take 20mg once daily for four weeks. [14] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source
Bethanechol (Urecholine) Domperidone (Motilium) Metoclopramide (Reglan)[15] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
There is a new surgical procedure that doesn’t use incisions and instead goes through the mouth. This greatly reduces the recovery time from the surgery and has the same outcome.
In cases where cancer or other advanced conditions are found, other surgical procedures, such as radiofrequency ablation, may be performed. [16] X Research source Falk, Gary W. Update on the use of Radiofrequency Ablation for Treatment of Barrett’s Esophagus,Gastroenterology and Hepatology 2013 July 9 (7) 447-449 [17] X Research source Wang, Kenneth and Richard Sampler, American College of Gastroenterology, Diagnosis, Surveillance and Therapy of Barrett’s Esophagus ,Committee Practice Parameters: American Journal of Gastroenterology, 2008, 103 788-79
The discomfort can be assessed on a spectrum from just mild burning to a severe burning chest pain, mimicking a heart attack. The pain of acid reflux is brought on by the gastric fluid, which has a very low acidic pH. It migrates up the esophagus and finds its way into an environment where it doesn’t belong and is not intended to be, such as your esophagus. [18] X Research source Gelhott, A MD PharmD, Gastroeseophageal Reflux Disease: Diagnosis and Management, American Family Physician 1999 1; 59 (5) 1161-1169
Other situations that may cause acid reflux are smoking, obesity, high intake of sodium, low intake of dietary fiber, limited physical exercise, and taking certain medications. [19] X Research source Gelhott, A MD PharmD, Gastroeseophageal Reflux Disease: Diagnosis and Management, American Family Physician 1999 1; 59 (5) 1161-1169
Acid reflux can cause other conditions, such as a condition called Barrett’s Esophagus. Ask your doctor if you think your acid reflux has an underlying conditional cause or if you think it is causing more serious problems. [21] X Research source Meurer, Linda MD, MPH, Bower, Douglas MD Management of Helicobacter Pylori Infection American Family Physician(65) (7) 1327-1337
