If you have acid reflux (also called acid indigestion, or heartburn), you know how terrible you feel during an attack. Whether you treat your heartburn with prescription medicines or folk remedies, the thing that matters most is that it not come back again the next time you eat.
Step 1
Keep a diary of everything you eat and note the foods that bother you so you can avoid them.
Step 2
Change your eating habits so you eat smaller meals and eat more frequently, not allowing your stomach to get overly full, says the Mayo Clinic.
Step 3
Avoid wearing very tight clothing or belts during and immediately after meals. These constrict the abdominal area, putting pressure on the diaphragm and stomach.
Step 4
Avoid bending over or lifting heavy objects for at least one hour after eating to protect your full stomach from undue pressure.
Step 5
Eat foods that are gentle on the digestion, like whole grains, starchy vegetables like sweet potatoes, fresh fruits like berries or melon and leafy green vegetables. Eat foods that help maintain alkalinity in the stomach, such as apple cider vinegar and lemon juice. Although these are acids, Dr. Theodore A. Baroody explains in his book "Alkalinize or Die," that they are both capable of stimulating digestive juices that neutralize acids and help to maintain an alkaline-forming condition in the stomach.
Step 6
Eliminate trigger foods like hot spices, chilies, fast foods, fats, milk, caffeine, carbonated drinks, junk food and heavy meats. LifeExtension.org mentions that these foods aggravate heartburn and don't allow the stomach and esophagus to heal due to continued irritation.
Step 7
Use an acid reflux pillow wedge to prop your self up in bed or raise the head of the bed four to six inches to help keep acid in your stomach, where it belongs.
Step 8
Drink a mixture of ½ tsp. baking soda in 8 oz. water if all else fails and you do have an attack of reflux. Drugs.com suggests drinking it slowly and repeating about every 2-3 hours until symptoms subside.
Step 9
See a doctor if the above protocol doesn't bring relief. She may have suggestions to add to this to help and will examine you thoroughly to discover a more in depth diagnosis.
Tips and Warnings
- If you fall off the wagon and end up eating something that causes and attack of reflux, just start back on your plan immediately at the next meal. Leafy green spices are oregano, thyme, marjoram, sage, and basil. Warm brown spices are cinnamon, allspice, sage, nutmeg, ginger, cardamom and cumin.
- If you have high blood pressure, speak to your doctor before using baking soda, which raises blood pressure. He may suggest a different dose. The information offered here is for educational purposes and is not meant to replace medical advice.
Things You'll Need
- Food diary
- Green spices
- Brown spices
- Whole grains
- Berries
- Melons
- Leafy green vegetables
- Sweet potatoes
- Apple cider vinegar
- Lemon juice
- Baking soda
- Acid reflux pillow
References
- Mayo Clinic: Heartburn
- Life Extension.org: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
- "Alkalinize or Die", Dr. Theodore A. Baroody, 1991: Alkalinize to neutralize acids
