1. Guard Against GERD
Acid reflux disease (GERD) is a painful condition. Indigestion, as it's commonly called, can feel like a burning, stabbing pain that often travels from the stomach to the back and sometimes up into the throat. The condition can leave you feeling as if your heart is on fire. Curing acid reflux disease in many people is often as simple as taking apple cider vinegar. Put 1 tsp. of apple cider vinegar in a half glass of water. Sip it throughout your meal. Many people find that using a water purifier or filter to remove the chlorine from tap water also helps to prevent acid reflux. Drinking spring water helps many acid reflux sufferers find relief.
2. Curb For a Cure
Curbing your appetite may relieve your indigestion. Eating too much at one time forces stomach acids up into the esophagus. The stomach is too full to hold it all down. Eat more slowly and give your brain time to signal your stomach that it's full. It takes about 20 minutes. Also, curb your craving for carbonated beverages. Those tiny bubbles make your stomach expand and can cause the same effect as overeating.
3. Eat Earlier and Elevate
Heartburn happens when the sphincter (your esophagus valve) doesn't close properly or is forced open by too much food in your stomach. The valve opens and stomach acid pushes up into your esophagus. Eating a late dinner and going to bed is a combination for acid reflux. Stop eating 2 1/2 to 3 hours before bedtime. Lying flat with a bulging stomach while you're in bed is asking for trouble. Elevate the head of your bed 4 to 8 inches or prop up on pillows. This keeps the stomach acids down in your stomach.
4. Medicate the Monster
Curing acid reflux with home remedies and natural cures doesn't always work. If nothing brings relief, visit your doctor. He may recommend prescription medications, such as Nexium, to relieve the condition. Acid reflux that goes on for years with no relief may damage your esophagus. Over-the-counter antacids make the problem worse for some people. Some have found relief in magnesium, a natural alkaline that acts as an antacid.
5. Surgery for Severe Cases
In some severe cases of acid reflux disease, surgery is required to solve the problem. This surgery is done by laparoscopy. The esophagus valve (sphincter) muscle is repaired so that it operates properly, thus keeping the stomach acid down in the stomach where it belongs.
