If you ever experienced acid reflux, you know the feeling well. There is a possibility that you experienced a burning sensation in your throat and chest. It is inconvenient and uncomfortable.
The condition creeps back in the esophagus. The soreness caused by acid reflux may cause a bad taste in the mouth. The state is also known as GERD- gastroesophageal reflux. In this paper, we will look at seven practical ways you can use to relieve acid reflux. They include the following:
- Medication
Acid reflux and other stomach conditions are prevailing over the past decades. The prices of medication for these conditions have gone high. A medical specialist can diagnose acid reflux based on physical examination or the history of symptoms of the disease. One effective prescription medication is Dexilant. If you have the condition, you may want to know the medication costs before you pop into a pharmacy to make your purchase. The prices of the prescription vary with different suppliers. If you find out that the prices are high, don’t give up on buying, check out for other affordable dealers. You can also opt for available anti-inflammatory painkillers that can help relieve the pain at the sphincter. You can search for reputable websites and compare their prices before buying.
- Weight Loss
If you are healthy, your diaphragm will naturally strengthen in the lower part of the esophageal sphincter. It is a muscle responsible for preventing excessive stomach acid from moving to the esophagus. If you have excess weight and fat on the belly, it causes the pressure in the abdomen to increase. This change in the body causes the lower sphincter to push upward, far from the support of the diaphragm, a condition known as hiatus hernia. Reliable study shows that losing extra pounds is an excellent way to prevent the risk of reflux
- Avoid Alcohol
Most people in the world today have the notion that alcohol is somewhat different from other drugs. However, it is one of the most dangerous substances consumed today. Various health issues result from the consumption of alcohol. Medical experts argue that the safe amount to take is to avoid it altogether. If you have to drink alcohol, it is better first to weigh the psychological, biological, and environmental factors. It is vital to note that the risk of reflux from alcohol drinking may differ from one individual to the other. You can minimize the potential dangers by reducing your intake.
- Limit Caffeine Intake
Everyone craves a good cup of coffee in the morning. To many people, it is a morning ritual. Caffeine is commonly in the form of tea and coffee. People report improving cognitive abilities using caffeine in varying degrees. It also helps boost your mood for the day, among other benefits. Besides these benefits, the substance can cause side effects, one of which is causing acid reflux. Excess consumption of coffee can weaken the esophageal sphincter. This effect increases the impact of acid reflux on the body. If you suffer the condition and find it hard to eliminate or reduce coffee or tea intake, you can substitute it with decaffeinated tea or coffee.
- Avoid Mint
Many people are familiar with the bad taste caused by reflux acid on the throat. If you also know the feeling of heartburn as a result of reflux, you may want to stay away from the mint. It causes a fiery sensation that grabs your lower chest.
Peppermint is one of the foods that trigger acid reflux. It is a popular herb that adds flavor to meals and snacks like chewing gum and candy. Some people use it in teas. An excessive dosage of mint and worsen the symptoms of acid reflux. It causes a terrible burning sensation, and it is, therefore, best to avoid it.
- Chew Gum
There exists a significant relationship between chewing gum and reflux acid. It works to lower the amount of acid in the esophagus. It is the act of chewing that enhances the production of saliva and makes you swallow more. This process allows you to clear any excess amount of acid from the mouth. A reliable study shows that chewing bicarbonate gum can significantly provide relief of acid reflux.
- Quit Smoking
Smoking causes heart attacks, cancer, stroke, breathing problems, and also acid reflux. As mentioned earlier in this article, symptoms of reflux can be painful, and if ignored, it may lead to complications that are harmful to your health. The nicotine from tobacco can relax a valve that exists between the stomach and the esophagus, which causes chemicals to back up in the throat. This process causes heartburn, which is a symptom of acid reflux.
Apart from these tips, you can employ numerous other ways to relieve acid reflux, like changing sleep positions and avoiding meal minutes before going to bed. If these tips don’t work for you, make sure you contact a reputable medical practitioner.