acid reflux tip 2

I am again going without my acid reflux medication today. I can usually tell if my stomach feels acidy when I get up in the morning, if it does I usually take my medication before doing anything else. I have just eaten breakfast about ½ an hour ago and am waiting to see if there is any reaction from this before deciding if I need any other antacids. AT the moment its fine and it looks as though I will get away with it today, although that could change at any time.

Another natural remedy for acid reflux is chicory root. Chicory is quite a bitter herb which belongs to the same family as endive and escarole and is used to correct heartburn problems. If you can get hold of chicory root use about 1 ½ cups of the stuff and boil it for about 5 to 10 minutes. Let it cool to room temperature and drink it like tea.

Although I usually take medicine for my severe heartburn symptoms if you can get away without it it’s much better. Medicine will not cure acid reflux disease as it does not treat the cause of heartburn, but only treats the symptom. Your medication will stop acid production and is great if you have damage to the lining of the esophagus but a better way to control heartburn is with natural methods and dietary changes. Failing this surgery might be a better option.

In fact the newest method of treating GERD does not even require surgery but is done through an endoscope passed through the mouth and down the throat. There are no incisions made and you go in as a day patient and do not need further hospitalisation.

This treatment is called Esophyx and as this option is quite new I am waiting a while to see just how good it is then maybe I will go for this option myself.

I have written a full article on this on my website www.acidrefluxhealthcheck.com under acid reflux articles titled “New treatment to cure acid reflux”

Acid Reflux Tip 1

I am quite pleased with the way my diet is controlling my acid reflux at the moment. So much so that for two days I did not take my daily acid reflux medication and my heartburn never bothered me once. However the next day I did not feel so brave as I was meeting friends for lunch who I worked with in Saudi Arabia (which usually means quite a few drinks as well).

Lunch went well but it would have been a different matter if I had not taken my medication. This brings me to the saying you are what you eat. In terms of having GERD a lot of what you eat will set off the acid reflux. Also digestion has a big part to play in how much heartburn you will get.

As you get older your stomach losses the ability to produce the hydrochloric acid to some extent, which is so important in breaking down the protein you have eaten.

The process of digestion is pretty complex and different enzymes are used to break down the different components in your food. After the food is digested the body absorbs the nutrients that are produced and carries them through the bloodstream to different organs and cells and produces the energy you need.

However with the type of food we eat in the modern world a lot of it is hard to digest and it is this undigested food which can bring on bouts of heartburn which can lead to acid reflux disease, and some times we need a little help to aid our digestion.

Taking digestion enzymes is one way of aiding your ability to absorb your food and therefore the nutrients. Betain and Pepsin are such enzymes that when taken with your meals will aid your digestion. Papaya digestive enzymes which contains Papain is another excellent digestive aid and you can take about 500mg with your meals.

Bromelain is another enzyme that helps digest protein. It can be found in pineapples which support digestion and can reduce inflammation. Bromelain is also produced in a tablet form.

Natural foods like the vegetables in salads will also greatly reduce your acid reflux. Maybe that’s why I am not so affected over the last few weeks as the diet I am on involves eating lots of salads.