Acid reflux causes heartburn when acid backs up, or refluxes, from your stomach into your esophagus. If you experience this two times a week or more it may be gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. Mayo Clinic physicians see over 18,000 sufferers a year.
Your stomach acid digests food, but your esophagus is irritated by it. Remedies prevent the reflux or neutralize the acid by natural, medical or dietary methods, and may even take your clothing and how you sleep into account.
Antacids
Antacids, chemicals that neutralize the stomach acid, are the most popular remedy. They turn the acid into a harmless substance that does not irritate your esophagus even if it finds its way back up from your stomach. Gastroenterologists at the Cleveland Clinic commonly recommend over-the-counter drugs like Tums, Maalox, Pepto-Bismol, Alka-Seltzer, Rolaids and Mylanta, as a first defense.
Acid Pump Blockers
Some new medicines turn off your stomach acid production.They are commonly called proton pump blockers and H2 blockers. Mayo Clinic specialists consider this class of medications---some prescription and some over-the-counter---to be the most powerful acid reflux control tools currently available.
Eat Less
Nancy J. Norton, president and founder of International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders, emphasizes that large meals make acid reflux worse. More food stimulates more acid. And an over-full stomach can force food back up into your espohagus. Small meals are a reasonable and easy remedy for acid reflux. Norton also stresses that even a small snack at bedtime can lead to acid reflux all night, so avoid eating or drinking close to bedtime.
Foods to Avoid
Specialists at the National Institutes of Medicine caution that some foods contain a high acid load. Acid reflux of these foods can deposit strong acids into your esophagus. Tomatoes, oranges and other citrus, along with alcohol, caffeinated drinks, and tobacco can be serious culprits in making GERD worse.
Wear Loose Clothing
Gastroenterologists at the Mayo Clinic report that most GERD is due to a weak muscle band between esophagus and stomach which does not effectively close during digestion. Food and stomach acid can be squeezed into your esophagus simply because your pants or belt are too tight. Even frequent bending after a big meal can have that effect. Loosen your belt and sit up straight for an easy acid reflux remedy.
Lose Weight
Dr. Gary W. Falk, a Cleveland Clinic Gastroenterologist, says "...one of the most important things someone can do [for acid reflux] is lose weight." Extra girth acts like an old fashioned girdle and compresses your stomach.
Pregnancy compresses your stomach, too, and can cause acid reflux.
Sleep on a Slope
Lying down allows stomach acid to flow backward into your esophagus. Specialists at the Cleveland Clinic recommend waiting three hours before going to bed after eating, and elevating your head when you sleep. Blocks 6-to 8-inches high under the head of your bed can keep stomach acid in its place while you sleep.
