Acid reflux, or acid regurgitation, is a condition that many people experience, usually after a heavy meal, when contents from your stomach move back up into your esophagus. It is something you can choose to ignore if it happens only once in a while. However, if you have symptoms of acid reflux more than twice a week, you might have a condition known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is considered a chronic and more severe form of acid reflux, with the causes and risk factors including among others overeating and pregnancy. The main symptom of GERD is acid reflux, which can cause an uncomfortable burning feeling in the chest that then moves up to reach the throat and neck area. Although it has little to do with the heart, this feeling is often described as heartburn by some people.
Another symptom that some people suffering from GERD report is a sour or bitter taste at the back of the mouth. For some people, the acid reflux could also cause the regurgitation of food or liquid from the stomach into the mouth. Other symptoms of GERD include nausea, chest pain, pain or difficulty when swallowing, chronic cough, a hoarse voice, bad breath. Most people can manage their symptoms with lifestyle changes or medications on their own, but if the symptoms persist it is best to consult a doctor, because if GERD is left untreated for long it could lead to serious complications.
To manage GERD, doctors often start by recommending certain lifestyle changes, such as maintaining a moderate weight, quitting smoking, avoiding heavy meals in the evening, waiting a few hours after eating to lie down, elevating your head during sleep. If symptoms persist, doctors may also suggest taking over-the-counter (OTC) medications, such as antacids, or in more severe cases, H2 receptor blockers that lower the amount of acid your stomach makes. Many H2 blockers are available OTC, while higher doses of these medicines might require a doctor’s prescription.
An alternative treatment now found to be more effective than H2 blockers in lowering the amount of acid your stomach makes, are Proton pump Inhibitors (PPIs). One reason doctors now suggest PPIs is that in addition to reducing stomach acid, PPIs are also known to heal the esophageal lining, which tends to become damaged in people who have suffered from GERD for extended periods.
Many people resort to home remedies to seek relief from acid reflux. While these remedies may help to relieve occasional bouts of acid reflux, it is less effective when it comes to chronic issues of GERD that often necessitates medical intervention. Some of the home remedies suggested for GERD may in fact do more harm than good, including:
Baking soda solution: People have been known to take a baking soda and water solution to relieve acid reflux. Because baking soda is alkaline, it has the ability to help neutralize acidity, and is mostly safe to consume in small doses. But baking soda is also high in sodium, excess of which is harmful to the body. It is also possible to experience side effects if too much or too strong concentration of baking soda solution is used regularly.
Chewing gum: This is another home remedy that is widespread among many people. The reasoning behind this remedy is that since chewing gum stimulates the production of saliva, which is mildly alkaline, it may help neutralize the acidity in your mouth and throat after eating a meal. The argument in favor of chewing gum has not been scientifically studied or validated extensively, and moreover, most chewing gum has added sugars that could prove detrimental if chewing gum becomes a habit.
Consuming ginger: Taking ginger to relieve symptoms of GERD is a home-remedy that has been around for quite some time, as ginger is a common home remedy for issues like nausea and a sour stomach. But it is still unclear if ginger can actually help with occasional heartburn symptoms, as quite a few studies have shown that taking too much ginger is one of the reasons for acid reflux or heartburn.
Drinking milk: A small glass of milk to relieve acid reflux is a home remedy that has found favor among many people. Due to its natural alkalinity, milk is often touted as a way to ease heartburn symptoms. Unfortunately, even though it may feel soothing initially, the fat and protein in milk can ultimately make heartburn symptoms worse once the milk is digested. Low fat milk may be easier for some people to tolerate.
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