A week in the life of an acid reflux sufferer

I’ve been having a really hectic week and have been using a combination of acid reflux medication and more natural cures all week to try and curb my acid reflux.

My week started with a fishing trip on a boat. I did not take any medication for this but also did not eat any food that sets off my heartburn before the trip.

Next day (Saturday) was a football and rugby world cup semi final day so I had my Proton pump inhibitor that morning because I knew I would be spending the day in the pub.

Sunday was spent out on my friend’s boat so no medication was required but again I ate only food that I know does not set off my acid reflux. Avoiding fatty foods, caffeine, and the other usual suspects meant a good day was had without any sign of reflux. Of course the acid reflux medication taken the day before was still probably working as well.

Monday was spent with friends who where going home to the UK so medication was required.

Tuesday was a shopping trip to Ikea in Nicosia, no medication required.

Wednesday saw more friends departing to the UK, medication required.

Thursday was a party at our friends who live only a couple of doors from us, this needed lots of drugs to combat the heartburn.

Friday was a quiet day which gave us a chance to return to my normal acid reflux diet and no medication.

Saturday afternoon was spent with friends returning to Saudi Arabia and the evening was the rugby world final another big day and I had to take my Proton Pump Inhibitor.

Sunday we went on a bus trip to Nicosia race course. I was not sure about this on as we were on a coach without a toilet and no stops so the beer had to be curbed. I decided not to take anything and just watch what I ate. This turned out ok and I did not have any acid reflux symptoms.

Today we seem to be free from holiday makers and so I can get back to my diet in earnest.

But by planning ahead I have been able to only take the acid reflux medication on the days I really need it and then switch to my acid reflux diet on other days. It is much better and safer that taking conventional medication every day.

I must find a different cure for acid reflux

Things here in Cyprus are slowing down after the influx of tourists for the summer holidays and it should be better for us poor sufferers with acid reflux disease. But with the weather cooling down slightly the opposite is happening. A lot more friends seem to visit just after the summer and also lots of our friends who have been back in the UK to avoid the very hot summers out here are returning. What has this got to do with acid reflux you might ask, and the answer is that we seem to be doing a lot more entertaining, eating and drinking at the moment. This puts a lot of pressure on my trying to loose weight, and eating foods which do not give heartburn, also of course there is a lot more drinking to be done. If I am not careful the acid reflux will return with a vengeance.

The other problem is the sport. The football season has started and I have to go down the pub to watch my team ( Newcastle). Then there is the rugby union world cup, the European football qualifier games, a must drink situation also down the pub. Then there is also the cricket 20/20 at the moment. All have to be watched and celebrated down the pub. I can tell you it takes its toll.

To get over all this revelry I have to cut down on the amounts of food I take and up my doses of acid reflux medication just to survive.

Roll on the end of the football season when I can have a rest. Although that’s when the summer tourists start to arrive and it all starts again.

Must find a different cure for acid reflux.

Acid reflux- Things which work to bring heartburn relief

More than ever we see advertisements and information that tell us about the effect of acid reflux, the damage it can cause and the complications that can occur which may lead to cancer of the esophagus. Are these claims exaggerated and scaremongering or are they true. The problem is that there are so many causes of acid reflux disease (GERD) and the treatments you can use are also wide and varied. There have been many tests on the long term effects of heartburn and they also are not conclusive and many of the results disagree with each other.

The main symptom of Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is heartburn. It can be excruciatingly painful as the acid burns the lining of the esophagus or it can be just mildly discomforting, a burning sensation in the chest. It can also feel like pressure right through the chest and into the back and can be mistaken for a heart attack.

Acid reflux usually occurs due to a weakening of the Lower esophageal sphincter (LES) a ring of muscle between the stomach and the esophagus which is supposed to stop stomach contents from re-entering the esophagus. Another cause can be if the LES muscles relax at the wrong time allowing reflux. The result being that acid from the stomach can enter the esophagus. The lining of the esophagus has no protection from this and will literally burn. When this happens often the lining becomes scarred and can lead to further problems if not kept in check. So what can be done to prevent this?

Acid reflux medication

The main way we fight acid reflux is through acid reflux medication. You can buy antacids over the counter Rolaids tums and Maalox are but a few you can choose from. They work by neutralising the acid in the stomach. The problem with them is that there effect only lasts about one hour and you need to take more if the acid persists. This is ok if you only have mild bouts of heartburn occasionally. However people with GERD have heartburn regularly and need something stronger.

The next type of tablet you can take are called h2 antagonist receptors. Histamine is a chemical which stimulates the production of acid in the stomach. The histamine attaches to receptors on the stomach lining which stimulates the acid producing cells into secreting acid. H2 antagonists block the receptors and are very effective in stopping acid production but not for healing the inflammation of the esophagus. They last for up to 12 hours and are best taken about 20 minutes before a meal. Some to choose from are Zantac, Tagamet, and Pepcid.

The newest and strongest drug specifically designed for digestive problems are called Proton Pump Inhibitors PPI,s. These drugs are prescription drugs and are usually given by your doctor when you have been diagnosed as having GERD. PPI,s work by blocking the production of Gastrin a hormone produced in the stomach that also stimulates the cells of the stomach lining to produce acid. They are very effective and will stop stomach acid production from 24 hours and over. They are also very effective in healing the inflammation of the esophagus causes by reflux.

If you do not want conventional medication there are many natural cures for acid reflux available and coupled with lifestyle changes can be very effective in combating GERD on a daily basis.

Natural treatment for acid reflux

Almost everyone diagnosed with acid reflux disease takes the easiest solution which is either over the counter antacids or medicine prescribed by there doctor. Although these methods are very good for a while, they do bring problems and may be not the long term solution you should be after.

Another way is using natural cures for acid reflux. They are not as easy as just popping a pill and take more effort but in the long term they can have better results at healing the cause of acid reflux and not just treating the symptoms.

Herbal remedies for acid reflux have been around for a long time but also a change in what you eat and the way you eat it can also be very effective.

• First supplement your diet with a lot of alkaline foods. Soft foods such as eggs, soft vegetables and fruits, whole grain breads (with no nuts or seeds), breakfast bars made from whole grain, rice, potatoes, soy milk and a whole lot more are good.
• Things to avoid are carbonated drinks, alcohol, chocolate, peppermint, coffee, spicy foods, fried foods, tomatoes and tomato based sauces and citrus fruits.
• You should eat small amounts every two to three hours as opposed to three large meals a day which produces more acid and is harder to digest.
• Drink plenty of water between meals which helps dilute any acid produced.
• One drink that naturally soothes and heals any inflamed tissue is Aloe Vera. About 40 to 60 mg a day taken first thing in the morning is very beneficial.
• Another natural healing agent is honey. Take a spoonful before meals in the beginning and then take a tablespoon when you feel heartburn symptoms returning.
• Liquorice root is very good for the stomach and can be taken as a tea or in a tablet form
• There are a variety of supplements that can also help. Look for ones that contain slippery elm and marshmallow.
• Another great drink for soothing the lining of the esophagus is cabbage juice. A glass per day is recommended.
• A table spoon of Flax oil two to three times a day is also excellent for the digestion or you can sprinkle flax seeds into meals such a salads.
• Another drink that is beneficial is Chamomile tea for soothing the digestive tract. Drink two cups daily.

Some other recommendations are; - loose weight. Being over weight adds pressure to the stomach which can promote acid reflux. Stop smoking, and do not wear tight clothing which also adds pressure to the stomach. Eat slowly and chew your food. Digestion is important and starts with chewing your food correctly. Do not lie down after meals and do eat early before going to bed. Leave about three hours for your food to digest properly.

Eating the correct alkaline foods will keep your body in balance and is healthier in the long term.

Please feel free to comment if you know of any other or better natural cures for acid reflux.

Treating Acid Reflux naturally

I have had another weekend of eating and drinking and have not suffered from heartburn. By planning ahead and knowing I was going out for food and drink I took my acid reflux medication in the morning on the days I was going out. But today I am back on the straight and narrow and am back off the medication. I hope by this method I can stop acid reflux symptoms before they happen.

To treat Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, GERD for short one of the easiest ways is with lifestyle changes. This is what I am doing at the moment and it seems to be working. By changing your routine, mainly what you eat and the way you eat it the results can have major benefits to the amount of heartburn you get.

One of the many changes and easiest of changes to your routine is at night. Due to the effects of gravity acid reflux does the most damage at night when we lie down. In a lying position it is much easier for stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus. And in addition due to the effects of gravity the refluxed contents can flow further up the esophagus and even into the throat and mouth. I know in the past when this has happened to me I feel like I am choking and this can last for many hours. So the possibility of acid reflux doing damage is much greater at night.

One thing you can do to combat this is with positional therapy by elevating your upper body in bed. You can either put blocks under the bed at the headboard end, or you can purchase a wedge pillow which will also elevate you. Another method is with what is called a bed wedge which is placed under your mattress and can be inflated or deflated automatically to elevate you to the correct position. Another more luxurious but also more costly item is an electric adjustable bed. But because we spend about 1/3 our lives in bed this may be a good solution for some people. By using one of these methods you are raising the elevation of your upper torso and taking gravity out of the equation, and not just raising your head.

Also at night you should eat at least 2 to three hours before going to be to allow your food to digest. This is also the same during the day when you should not lie down after a meal.

Other small changes to your eating habits should include eating smaller meals which helps your stomach digesting larger meals takes much longer and produces a lot more acid. Also chew your food properly before swallowing as the digestion starts in the mouth.

Eating on the run and under stress also contributes to acid reflux. Try to avoid fast foods which are high in fat and processed foods. There are quite a few foods that are known to aggravate acid reflux. Try to avoid them. Examples are chocolate, citrus fruits peppermint, drinks like caffeine irritate the stomach lining and alcohol stimulates acid production. You can try antacids for a while although they are effective for only a short while, but they do stop the production of stomach acid. But they should not be taken on a frequent basis as they do have side effects.

Other lifestyle changes you can include if they apply are taking some exercise, loosing weight, not wearing tight clothing, and stopping smoking

If you have heartburn or acid reflux on a regular basis you should see your doctor. They will be able to determine whether you have GERD or not, and can provide you with the appropriate action to take. They may even know a few natural cures for acid reflux.