Thousands of people across the United States and the world suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, which results in unpleasant symptoms such as heartburn, a compressed feeling in the chest and a backflow of stomach contents into the esophagus. For those who don't want to use prescription medications or surgery to treat the issue, there are a handful of natural and alternative remedies available that can help relieve symptoms and improve the condition.
Avoid Triggers
Certain "trigger foods" can aggravate the symptoms of GERD and make the condition more severe. For many patients, the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse notes that trigger foods include chocolate, mint, tea, fatty foods, fried foods, caffeinated sodas, citrus fruits and spicy foods. By avoiding common trigger foods, it's often possible to greatly relieve symptoms of acid reflux. The Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology clinic suggests choosing a diet that is based on low-acid foods such as bread, grains, low-fat or nonfat dairy products, vegetables and non-citrus fruits.
Small Meals
The way in which a GERD patient eats can be just as important as what he or she eats when it comes to improving the condition. According to the Pediatric/Adolescent Gastroesophageal Reflux Association, or PAGER, eating small and frequent meals is better than eating just a few large meals daily, especially for children and young adults. Small meals put less digestive strain on the body and are less likely to cause the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) muscle to open and allow backflow into the esophagus.
Be Comfortable
The Mayo Clinic suggests that it may be possible to relieve some GERD symptoms by wearing loose, comfortable clothing instead of tight clothing that restricts movement and hugs the body. Pants, skirts or belts that pull in the waist or compress the midsection are particularly harmful because they put extra pressure on the LES.
Lose Weight
Overweight or obese patients may find that their reflux symptoms improve if they lose weight and attempt to maintain a healthy weight through time. In general, a person who weighs more has more pressure on the LES and is likely to suffer from more frequent bouts of reflux or heartburn. Choosing healthy, low-calorie foods and exercising regularly can help stimulate weight loss and may contribute to relieving symptoms.
Relaxation
Relaxation exercises and muscle relaxation treatments such as acupuncture are among the methods that might improve reflux, according to the Mayo Clinic. Progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery techniques, deep breathing and similar methods can all produce valid results and improvement in mild or severe cases of GERD.
