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Acid Reflux is also known as Gastroesophageal Reflux disease (GERD). It is caused by the movement of the sphincter at the wrong time, causing the acids present in the stomach to move back into the oesophagus, causing heartburn and other symptoms.
It generally happens after a hefty meal or when you lie down as soon as you have a meal. Occasional acid reflux is manageable, but if it remains the same, it leads to GERD, which needs to be treated and medical supervision.
There are many quick-relieving medications, which are discussed below. But remember to get medical supervision before following these remedies and medications.
1. Choosing the Right Antacid: Options and Considerations
Antacids help with stomach problems like heartburn, acid reflux, and sore belly. But they’re not real GERD meds. They make stomach acids less strong for a little while. Antacids are essential, not acidic. They have stuff like aluminium hydroxide, calcium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, and sodium bicarbonate – which are bases. Bases cancel out acids through chemical reactions.
Antacids come as tablets, chewy tablets, powders, and syrups. They work fast but don’t last very long. Tums, Rolaids, Maalox—those are antacids. Regular tablets, chewy tablets, powder form, and syrup form different ways to take antacids. But they only provide short relief from acid problems.
2. Relief Beyond Antacids: How H2 Blockers Work Differently
The stomach lining contains histamine receptors. Histamine receptors are responsible for various processes. One of those processes is releasing stomach acids. Antacids provide temporary relief, unlike H2 blockers.
H2 blockers block histamine receptors in the stomach lining. Blocking these receptors stops acid production. Reducing acid production helps with GERD problems and ulcers. When acids are blocked, ulcers can heal.
Commonly used H2 blockers are Zantac and Pepcid. People consume these before meals or at bedtime to reduce acid. However, with available over-the-counter tablets and syrups, consulting a doctor is very important. Medical advice is crucial when taking H2 blockers.
3. More About Proton Pump Inhibitors
Proton pump inhibitors directly stop acid production. This occurs by acting on the proton pump in the stomach lining. Allowing your oesophagus to heal, these medications are far stronger than H2 blockers.
Prevacid or Protonix are examples of PPIs. Because they’re so potent, a doctor must prescribe them. Only take PPIs under medical supervision. Typically, you’ll consume one PPI daily before meals. While helpful short-term, long-term PPI use risks side effects.
4. What Are Prokinetics?
These medications help lower acid production, decreasing stomach discomfort. Prokinetics stimulates muscle contractions, aiding food movement through digestion. However, Prokinetics see limited use due to potential side effects.
Reglan, a commonly prescribed prokinetic, has only short-term applications as it may trigger neurological disorders.
5. Healing with Sucralfate: Understanding Its Mechanism
A protective coating over stomach and oesophagus ulcers is created by this Sucralfate. Ulcers are heal without acid contact from the stomach. Short-term treatment is typical.
They are taken orally on an empty stomach, as tablets or liquid suspensions. Carefully follow your doctor’s dosage instructions. Complete the entire course even if symptoms subside.
6. Herbal Remedies: The Ancient Way
Natural remedies are typical for acid reflux relief—some herbs include ginger, chamomile, marshmallow root, slippery elm, and liquorice root. Ginger can ease inflammation when consumed as tea. Chamomile tea is known for its calming effect, soothing the oesophagus and reducing acid symptoms. Marshmallow root and slippery elm have a gel-like texture that coats the oesophagus, providing relief.
Ginger and chamomile are popular choices. Their anti-inflammatory properties help reduce discomfort from reflux. Ginger tea can be made easily at home. Chamomile’s soothing nature is a calming option for those with acid reflux.
Meanwhile, marshmallow root and slippery elm provide a protective coating for the esophagus. These herbs have a thick, jelly-like consistency that creates a barrier against stomach acid.
Herbal remedies may ease acid reflux for some people. Still, severe or lasting symptoms require medical care. Consulting a healthcare provider is wise. They can adequately diagnose and treat the condition.
7. Home Remedies: The Easy Way
Baking soda helps with acid reflux. Mix a teaspoon with water and drink the mixture, which relieves heartburn for a bit. But don’t do this often as too much baking soda messes with your body’s electrolyte balance.
Apple cider vinegar may also help with acid reflux. Even though vinegar tastes sour, some people dilute it with water. They drink this remedy before eating, hoping the vinegar will regulate stomach acid to aid digestion. However, there’s no solid proof this approach works for everyone. It’s based on personal stories.
Maintain a healthy weight so that extra weight won’t trouble your stomach’s digestion activity and doesn’t put additional weight on the stomach or push acid into the oesophagus. Stop smoking as it decreases Lower Esophageal Sphincter(LES) activity.
The LES plays a crucial role in preventing stomach contents, including acid, from flowing back into the oesophagus, thus helping prevent conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Dysfunction of the LES can contribute to acid reflux and related symptoms, so say no to smoking.
Sleep higher with the bed raised 6 to 9 inches, angled up so acids don’t reflux into your esophagus. Turn to your left side since the stomach’s there to keep acids inside. Don’t lie right after eating; acids release and exit to the oesophagus, causing heartburn.
Finish meals an hour minimum before bedtime. Eat slowly, chewing thoroughly. Avoid triggers like alcohol, chocolate, caffeine, fatty or peppermint items. Drink plenty of water. Take a short walk before bed.
8. Dietary Supplements for You
Probiotics are one of the best supplements for Acid Reflux. Curd and Greek Yogurt are excellent sources of probiotics, which help maintain good gut health.
Aloe vera juice can be an excellent dietary supplement for Acid Reflux. Aloe vera plants are generally succulents with fleshy leaves. Aloe vera juice is derived from the inner gel of the aloe vera plant and is often consumed orally to relieve acid reflux.
Aloe vera juice is believed to have anti-inflammatory properties. These properties may help coat and soothe the oesophagus and stomach lining, reduce inflammation, and promote the healing of irritated tissues.
9. Surgery and Other Medical Procedures
Even after adjusting your habits and trying medication, sometimes GERD symptoms persist. Surgery might then become a possibility during discussions with your doctor. A common procedure is fundoplication—essentially a minor repair.
Part of your stomach gets wrapped around the esophagus’ lower portion, preventing acid from refluxing upwards. They perform this either through tiny belly incisions (laparoscopic approach) or a more significant cut (open surgery).
Weight-loss surgery like gastric bypass offers an alternative option, namely if you contend with both GERD and obesity. It packs a dual punch – facilitating weight reduction while simultaneously alleviating GERD symptoms.
Your doctor may propose endoscopy procedures sometimes. Less frequently utilized, they employ a flexible tube equipped with a tiny camera to visualize internal conditions and potentially perform minor corrections.
However, surgical intervention is not a hasty decision. It typically arises when other methods prove ineffective, and a thorough assessment deems it the optimal recourse for your well-being. The objective is to identify the most suitable approach to alleviate your discomfort and enable you to resume a GERD symptom-free existence.
10. Conclusion
GERD, or acid reflux, happens when stomach acid goes up the throat, causing heartburn. It often comes after overeating or lying down after a meal. Particular medicines like antacids can help for a short while by calming the acid.
H2 blockers and PPIs can also stop tummy acid production to help the throat heal. Prokinetics helps food move through your tummy, while Sucralfate coats tummy sores to help them recover fast.
Natural remedies like ginger or chamomile can also soothe heartburn. You can also use marshmallows, slippery elm, and liquorice root, which have effects similar to ginger and chamomile. Home tricks like baking soda can also bring quick relief. Maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding smoke, sleeping in the correct position, and eating at proper meal times also greatly help.
Probiotics from yoghurt and aloe vera juice can keep your gut healthy. Even though these might help, seeing a doctor is best if the stomach troubles stick around.
If lifestyle changes and medication don’t solve your problem with the symptoms of GERD, your physician may discuss surgical methods like fundoplication. When both GERD and obesity are present, you might be advised weight-loss surgery like a gastric bypass that makes you lose weight and at the same time solves the problem of GERD.
It’s about finding a suitable way to make you feel better and help you return to your everyday life, free from all these annoying symptoms of GERD.
Last Updated on by AnoushkaRoy
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