GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, is a painful condition involving the backing up of stomach digest and acids through the esophageal sphincter into the esophagus. Also known as acid reflux disease, GERD causes a variety of short- and long-term symptoms from burning, belching and bloating to cancer of the esophagus. Due to the wide array of conventional medicines and alternative remedies available to treat acid reflux, this article will focus on inexpensive treatments that you can accomplish on your own to reduce symptoms and improve health.
How to Stop Severe GERD
Step 1
Avoid drinking milk. Registered dietician Gloria Tsang of HealthCastle.com debunks one of the myths associated with preventing or relieving acid reflux, that of drinking milk to coat the stomach and protect against acid damage. Initially milk will help in this capacity, but it has a rebound effect and after a short time encourages the production of more acid in the stomach.
Step 2
Avoid coffee, tea, carbonated beverages and alcohol to reduce heartburn.
Step 3
Reduce consumption of fast foods, highly spiced and fatty foods, which are difficult to digest and low on nutrition.
Step 4
Eat foods to help create an alkaline state in the stomach as well as the bloodstream. Some of these foods are organic apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, cream of tartar, organic raw honey, fresh fruit and vegetable juices and whole grains such as amaranth, cous cous and millet.
Step 5
Elevate your body when sleeping. Use an acid reflux pillow wedge to raise the body about 45 degrees so stomach acids are less likely to back up into the esophagus.
Step 6
Dr. Theodore Baroody, in his book "Alkalinize or Die," writes about creating an alkaline state in the body to prevent acid reflux disease by mixing ¼-½ tsp. baking soda with 8 oz. water and drinking between meals and before going to bed to reduce heartburn symptoms. The body becomes more acidic at night, so taking baking soda before bed helps to protect against a GERD attack. Use this remedy with caution if you have hypertension.
Step 7
Dr. Baroody also recommends eating a teaspoon or two of raw organic honey before bed or if you wake up in the middle of the night with symptoms of heartburn. The high potassium content and honey's ability to create an alkaline environment in the stomach help reduce painful symptoms.
Step 8
Drink licorice tea or take licorice tables, also sold as DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice), to reduce GERD. Dissolve tablets in water or brew licorice tea bags in hot water. Use licorice with caution if you have hypertension.
Step 9
Use tumeric spice to stimulate digestion and prevent acid build up in the stomach. Add to food, or you can buy capsules to consume before meals.
Step 10
Take betaine hydrocholoride (HCL) with Pepsin to treat severe GERD. David Schlesinger, L.Ac, of the ModernHerbalist.com discusses the symptoms of over- and under-production of stomach acids. He says they are the same: burning pains and regurgitation of stomach digest through the esophageal sphincter as well as other chemical processes. HCL is a naturally occurring acid in the stomach whose functions are to act as the primary digestive juice, as a protective barrier killing off many potentially harmful microorganisms in food and to assist in releasing and removing excess acid-forming materials in the stomach, aiding in the reduction of excess acid in the body's tissues.
Tips and Warnings
- If you suffer from severe GERD, try several different combinations of the above suggestions to gain control over your symptoms. Many of these can be combined with conventional GERD medications as well. Discuss this with your doctor first.
- The suggestions offered here are for educational purposes and are not meant to replace medical advice.
Things You'll Need
- Organic apple cider vinegar
- Lemon juice
- Cream of tartar
- Organic raw honey
- Fresh fruit and vegetable juices
- Power juicer
- Amaranth, cous cous and millet
- Baking soda
- Betaine HCL
- Acid reflux pillow wedge
- Licorice tea
- Tumeric powder
References
- HealthCastle.com
- "Alkalinize or Die," Dr. Theodore A. Baroody, 1991
- Betaine Hydrochloride(HCL) With Pepsin (The Modern Herbalist)
