According to the Mayo Clinic, gastric reflux is known in the medical community as gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. Gastric reflux is when stomach acid or bile gets past the esophageal sphincter and goes from the stomach into the esophagus. Two of the major symptoms of gastric reflux are acid reflux and heartburn, and the Mayo Clinic explains that when these symptoms occur more than twice a week, you have GERD. They say that most people can manage gastric reflux at home, and natural remedies can help. However, you should see your doctor if you continue to have severe or frequent symptoms despite home treatment.
Lifestyle
According to Dr. Robert Rister in "Healing Without Medication," one of the most effective ways to deal with gastric reflux is to adjust your posture. Stay upright for three hours after eating a meal. If you suffer from gastric reflux at night, prop up the head of the bed or purchase a wedge to place under your mattress. Dr. Rister advises against adding more pillows. Though this elevates your rib cage, the bending of your torso compresses your stomach, which increases gastric reflux.
In "Bottom Line's Prescription for Natural Cures," Dr. James Balch and Dr. Mark Stengler explain that stress often triggers gastric reflux. They suggest yoga for relaxation and to strengthen the abdominal muscles. Other deep relaxation techniques include meditation and breathing exercises.
Diet
Diet can affect gastric reflux in several ways. According to the Mayo Clinic, obesity is one of the main causes of gastric reflux. Abdominal fat puts pressure on the stomach, both with weight and by crowding the internal organs. If you are overweight, a low-calorie diet, combined with regular exercise, could end your gastric reflux problems.
Dr. Rister gives a list of foods to avoid if you suffer from frequent gastric reflux. They include alcohol, caffeine, chocolate, citrus fruits, fatty foods, peppermint, tomatoes and peppers. However, he points out that while these foods make the stomach more acidic and therefore make gastric reflux more painful, they don't cause gastric reflux. He cites a study entitled "Reflux Inducing Dietary Factors and Risk of Adenocarcinoma of the Esophagus and Gastric Cardia" published in Nutrition and Cancer in 2000 that most people continued to have symptoms after eliminating all problem foods; the symptoms just weren't as severe. However, eating smaller meals benefited everyone. Overfilling the stomach makes it more likely that food and stomach acid will escape into the esophagus.
Herbs and Supplements
Dr. Rister recommends two herbs to relieve gastric reflux. The first is deglycyrrhizinated licorice, which he says is as effective as Zantac. Chew two 500 mg tablets 15 minutes before meals and one hour before bed. He emphasizes that you must chew it in order to release its anti-inflammatory compounds. Dr. Rister also suggests drinking tea made from slippery elm. Slippery elm coats and soothes the esophagus and stomach, and has no side-effects or drug interactions. In "Solve It With Supplements," Dr. Robert Schulman suggests taking Bromelain, an enzyme found in pineapples, which promotes proper digestion and relieves upset stomach and heartburn. He suggests taking 300 to 600 mg up to three times a day after meals. He also suggests drinking chamomile tea, made from either chamomile tea bags or from fresh flowers. Chamomile reduces inflammation and soothes the digestive tract, but it also has a sedative effect which reduces stress, a major contributor to GERD.
References
- The Mayo Clinic: GERD
- "Healing Without Medication"; Robert S. Rister; 2003
- "Bottom Line's Prescription for Natural Cures"; James F. Balch, M.D. and Mark Stengler, N.D.; 2004
- "Solve It With Supplements"; Robert A. Schulman, M.D.; 2007
