Stop Acid Reflux Now

Choking often occurs with night time acid reflux, but silent acid reflux can also cause choking, coughing, and other throat related issues.  Although commonly referred to as silent reflux, the actual term for this particular form of acid reflux is Laryngopahryngeal reflux (LPR).

What is LPR?  Laryngopharyngeal reflux is similar to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in that it occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) weakens and opens, allowing acid to reflux into the esophagus.  However, the main difference is that the primary symptom of GERD is heartburn, while the primary symptoms of LPR typically occur in the throat.

Most people are aware that acid reflux usually occurs when the LES, the lower sphincter in the esophagus located between the esophagus and stomach, malfunctions.  However, what is not as commonly known is the esophagus actually has another sphincter called the upper esophageal sphincter (UES).  The UES is located where the esophagus meets the throat.  When both the LES and UES fail, silent acid reflux is the result.  

What is the difference between LPR and GERD?  As was previously mentioned, LPR results when stomach acid makes it past both of your sphincters and pools in your throat, or reaches your mouth or the back of your nose.  GERD is when acid makes it past the LES and remains in the chest and does not pass through the UES.

The most common symptom of GERD is heartburn, which occurs after a person has experienced repeat episodes of reflux, and the acid has burned away the protective lining that coats the esophagus.    Although some LPR sufferers experience heartburn, this isn’t a common symptom, because the refluxed digestive juices do not remain in the esophagus long enough to cause damage.  This is often why LPR is referred to as silent acid reflux, because most people don’t associate the symptoms they experience from laryngopharyngeal reflux with acid reflux.

What are the symptoms of LPR?  Symptoms almost always occur in the throat and are usually felt because, unlike the esophagus, there is no protective lining in the throat.

Common symptoms that may be experienced include:
• Chronic cough
• Asthma-like symptoms
• Regurgitation
• Sour or bitter flavor in the mouth
• Frequent need to clear the throat
• Consistent mucous in the throat
• Burning sensation or pain in the throat
• Sore throat
• Hoarseness and possible loss of voice
• Difficulty swallowing
• Post-nasal drip
• Pain in the ear and/or consistent ear infections
• Nausea
• Heartburn

A silent acid reflux sufferer may experience some or all of these symptoms.

What should I do if I think I have LPR?  If you think you may be suffering from laryngopharyngeal reflux, you should visit your doctor for an examination and diagnoses.   Your general practitioner (GP) may send you to an otorhinolaryngologist (a medical professional who specializes in diagnosing and treating ear, nose and throat disorders, also known as an ENT specialist).

You can expect to have different tests done, such as a fiberoptic endoscopy, a special test that is designed to visualize the full length of your throat, and is often used to diagnose LPR.  Other tests you may experience for further diagnosis include barium swallow or dual pH probe studies.  It is imperative that you have LPR diagnosed and treated, because it can cause just as serious damage as untreated GERD. 

How is LPR treated?  Silent acid reflux is primarily treated with the same methods as GERD.  The reason is because the goal is to reduce acid to treat symptoms and prevent acid reflux from occurring.  Thus, treatment typically involves lifestyle changes (I.E. eliminating foods and beverages that trigger acid reflux, quitting smoking, losing excess weight, not eating before bed, etc.), and may include antacid medication or surgery depending on the severity of LPR and the frequency of acid reflux attacks.

Remember that you should always consult your doctor first before starting any method of treatment.  Do not self-diagnose silent acid reflux, because the symptoms you are experiencing may be related to another condition altogether.  Always seek a professional diagnosis.

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Choking can be a very startling and upsetting experience for many acid reflux sufferers, both infants and adults alike.  The symptom of choking usually occurs at night when a person is sleeping, and choking is what tends to wake the person up who then usually violently coughs to clear their throat and catch their breath.

Why does acid reflux and choking occur?  When acid reflux occurs during sleep, the body’s natural defenses against reflux are deactivated.  For instance, you no longer have the ability to swallow saliva, which neutralizes acid, and the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxes, so it no longer blocks stomach acid from flowing into the esophagus.  The deactivation of natural defenses can not only lead to heartburn, but can also allow stomach acid to creep up the esophagus and pool in the throat, enabling it to flow up into the mouth and nose.  When this happens, the acid can be aspirated (sucked in when breathing), causing it to dribble into the lungs and windpipe, resulting in choking, and possible damage to the lungs.

There are a few factors that can cause acid reflux and choking at nighttime in adults.  The following is a breakdown of what these major factors are, followed by what can be done to treat the problem:

• Sleeping supine – If you are sleeping in a supine position (laying flat on your back), stomach acid can freely flow into the esophagus and remain there for an extended period of time.  This can cause heartburn, and can also lead to the acid rising further up the esophagus into the throat.  

Prevention Tip – Sleep with your head and shoulders elevated, about 3-6 inches above the mattress.  Use pillows to prop yourself up.  The idea is to place your body on a slight incline so that acid cannot reach your upper esophagus.  Sleeping on your left side may also prove beneficial as studies have found sleeping on your right side can make the problem worse. 

•  Sleeping in constricting clothing – Tight clothing that gathers at your waist places pressure on your stomach, and can force acid up and into your esophagus.

Prevention Tip - Wear loose fitting clothing/pajamas to bed and avoid pants, shorts, or underwear with tight elastic waistbands.  While sleeping you don’t want to cause any unnecessary aggravation that increases the risk of reflux or makes it worse.

• Eating before bed – Many people make the mistake of eating or drinking directly before bed.  Lying down too soon after eating slows down the digestion process, and sleeping on a full stomach dramatically increases the risk of heartburn, as well as acid reflux and choking.

Prevention Tip – Eliminate foods that trigger acid reflux symptoms (I.E. fatty and spicy foods, alcohol, etc.) from your regular diet, and avoid eating or drinking 2-3 hours before going to bed.  If you are thirsty, only drink water slowly in small amounts.

How can I prevent acid reflux and choking in my child?  Unfortunately, infants are also prone to acid reflux and the symptom of choking.  The main reason for this is because the LES is not fully developed in many infants younger than 18 months.  Signs of acid reflux in your infant include:

• Frequent spitting up combined with poor sleeping
• Extreme fussiness
• Frequent back or neck arching or stretching
• Refusal of food
• Slow weight gain
• Chronic sinus or ear infections

If your child has any of these symptoms you need to have him/her properly diagnosed by their pediatrician.  Acid reflux is very complicated to diagnose in children, and only your child’s pediatrician can make this diagnosis and determine what treatment is best for your child.  Never diagnose your child on your own.

Nevertheless should your infant have acid reflux and choking, the following are ways you can help prevent your little one from suffering:
• Modify the diet.  This may mean giving your child:
• Smaller and frequent meals
• Thickened formula with rice cereal
• No foods that trigger acid reflux such as citrus foods, tomato products, carbonated beverages, spicy foods, chocolate, etc.

• Hold the child in an upright position during feeding
• Keep the child in an upright position for a minimum of an half an hour after eating
• Lay the child so they are on an incline so their head and shoulders are slightly elevated.  This can be done using a wedge pillow.
• Your doctor may also prescribe medications.

Finally, anyone who is suffering from nighttime acid reflux and choking, or other symptoms, should speak to their doctor and obtain the necessary treatment to prevent symptoms from occurring, so that damage of the esophagus and/or lungs can be avoided.

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Although you may need to take medications to help ease nighttime heartburn, did you know that there is a natural apple cider vinegar acid reflux remedy you can try to ease symptoms during the day?  Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is a natural treatment that has been used to treat a variety of ailments for many years, and is a popular choice among acid reflux sufferers.

ACV is vinegar made from crushed and aged apples known as cider or apple must.   When unfiltered, ACV has a brownish-yellow color.  Unfiltered cider vinegar, also known as organic apple cider vinegar, contains what is known as the “mother of vinegar” or simply the “mother”.  The mother looks like stringy floating globs in the liquid, and is where all of the healing properties of ACV reside. 

ACV contains minerals, as well as trace elements including magnesium, chlorine phosphorous, sulfur, sodium, calcium, potassium, iron, copper, fluorine and silicon.  Due of all of its beneficial ingredients, ACV is a natural fighter of bacteria, which often makes it a beneficial vinegar acid reflux treatment choice.

How can apple cider vinegar benefit acid reflux sufferers?  You may be confused as to how a type of vinegar could be beneficial for treating acid reflux symptoms such as heartburn.  After all, doesn’t vinegar have a high acid content?  Wouldn’t cider vinegar just exacerbate the problem?  Surprisingly, for most acid reflux sufferers, ACV helps to relieve the burning sensation and nausea caused by reflux without adding to it.

Why?  The reason is because many people with digestive problems like acid reflux, experience problems not because they have too much acid, but because they have too little.  Apple cider vinegar mimics the acid level of the stomach, which aids in the proper digestion of food, and can help aid the stomach in digesting. 

Therefore, in some cases, vinegar acid reflux remedies for heartburn work more effectively than antacids, because although antacids will cure heartburn, they are designed to diminish acid within the system.  Thus, antacids will not treat the actual cause if acid reflux is the result of too little stomach acid, and instead can make reflux more frequent.

How should you take apple cider vinegar?  Apple cider vinegar is available in many forms including liquid, tablet and capsule.  However, when using ACV as a natural treatment, the only form you should obtain is the organic liquid that contains the “mother” enzyme. 

When taking ACV, you will first want to shake it well before you ingest it to disperse the mother throughout the liquid.  To start, try taking one tablespoon of cider vinegar before each meal.  You will likely find the taste of the ACV to be quite potent.  It is an acquired taste, and you should grow more accustomed to the flavor after the first few vinegar acid reflux treatments.

Nevertheless, should you find it too repellant, there are a few other ways you can take ACV such as:
• Mix a tablespoon in a fat free salad dressing or light mayonnaise and eat it with your meal
• Sprinkle a tablespoon on salad or vegetables
• Mix a tablespoon in an 8 oz. glass of water and add a bit of honey to sweeten the drink.
• Make a tea out of ACV by adding a tablespoon of the cider vinegar to hot water and slowly sipping it.

Although it is best to ingest apple cider vinegar prior to each meal, you can also take a tablespoon when your stomach is upset or heartburn acts up.

After taking apple cider vinegar for a few days, many acid reflux sufferers find that their symptoms improve, and continue to improve with treatment in the months that follow.  However, in addition, you should be aware that ACV has a few mild side effects including stomach upset.  Furthermore, ACV may worsen heartburn in some individuals.  It is also known to thin the blood and should be avoided by anyone taking blood thinning medications such as anti-coagulants.

Always remember that you should speak to your doctor first before starting any treatment, including vinegar acid reflux treatment, and keep in mind that natural treatment should not replace any medication or treatment advice that has been prescribed by your doctor without prior consultation.

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Acid reflux can strike at any time, with symptoms, such as heartburn usually occurring shortly after eating large meals or when lying down.  However, did you know that approximately 8 out of 10 heartburn suffers will experience nighttime symptoms?  Therefore, if you suffer from bedtime heartburn, you need to know what to do for acid reflux to help prevent symptoms from occurring.

First of all, you may be wondering why heartburn occurs at night.  There are many reasons why acid reflux is more likely to occur while you sleep, such as:
• Relaxed lower esophageal sphincter (LES) – when you sleep all of the muscles in your body naturally relax, which can encourage acid to leak into your esophagus.
• Absence of swallowing – During sleep, the swallowing reflex is inhibited.  Swallowing allows saliva to neutralize any digestive fluids that may be in the esophagus lining.
• Laying flat – laying flat in your bed enables stomach acid to easily flow into the esophagus and remain in the esophagus for a longer period of time, which can lead to heartburn.

To stop nighttime heartburn flare ups from causing damage to your esophagus, and interrupting your sleep, here’s what you can do for acid reflux relief:

1. Eat 3 hours before bedtime and eliminate foods from your diet that trigger acid reflux.   Avoid foods and beverages that are known to trigger acid reflux (I.E. high fat foods, citrus fruits, caffeinated beverages, alcohol, etc.) Do not indulge in late night snacking and make sure the last meal you eat is one of a moderate portion.  If you must have a large meal, eat a more substantial serving of food at lunchtime.   Furthermore, limit your liquid intake to water before bed.

2. Sleep on an incline.  Prop your head and shoulders up with a few pillows or a wedge pillow so that you are not lying flat on your back.  The slight slope you create with your body helps to prevent acid from traveling further up your esophagus and remaining there to initiate heartburn.

3. Sleep on your left side.  Some studies have found that sleeping on the left side can aid acid reflux nighttime prevention, as this position appears to help remove stomach acid from the esophagus.  On the other hand, sleeping on the right side has shown to make heartburn worse.

4. Sleep in loose fitting pajamas or clothes. Clothing that is constricting around your torso, especially your abdomen or waist, such as tight elastic pants, places pressure on the stomach which can force digestive contents and fluids against the LES and up into the esophagus.

5. Take an antacid before going to bed.  Although your first “what to do for acid reflux” instinct shouldn’t be to take medications, if your nighttime heartburn is exceptionally bothersome, taking an antacid or two before bed will work to quickly neutralize acid and treat your symptoms or prevent an episode from occurring.  If longer relief is necessary, an H2 blocker may be more effective.

Finally, if you are finding that the above techniques are not helping in alleviating heartburn, what to do for acid reflux at this point, is visit your health care provider for a proper diagnosis and a new treatment plan.  You may find that you are suffering from a more serious condition such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a peptic ulcer, or a hiatal hernia.

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If you are experiencing hiccups, acid reflux could be a contributory factor and you may need to find a remedy to find relief from this non-serious, yet distressing symptom.

Hiccups, also called hiccoughs, result when the diaphragm suddenly contracts.  The diaphragm is the thin muscle located under the heart and lungs that separates the chest from the abdomen and assists with inhaling.  After the diaphragm contracts, the top portion of the windpipe known as the glottis, immediately closes which creates the characteristic “hic” sound of hiccups.

A hiccup is a reflex you have no control over and can be hard to stop.  That being said, the interesting fact about hiccups is that unlike other reflexes (I.E. sneezing, coughing, etc.), a hiccup does not appear to have a useful purpose.

What is the hiccups acid reflux connection?  Most people have a case of the hiccups every once in a while, and in many of these instances, the spell of hiccups is brief, and there is no apparent reason why it was experienced.  However, if hiccups are related to acid reflux, it is not uncommon for hiccups to be persistent and last for hours, this could be because of:

Temporary swollen stomach – This could be caused by eating too quickly, overeating, drinking carbonated beverages, swallowing air.
Alcohol – This is more common with fizzy alcohol drinks such as beer, sparkling wine, and mixed drinks.  Too much air may also be swallowed while drinking alcohol.
Excessive smoking – taking in too much air
Emotional stress – when stressed many people tend to overeat, eat too fast, drink alcohol, smoke excessively, and are more prone to gulping air.

How can you treat hiccups?  In many cases, there is no need for treatment because hiccups will typically disappear as quickly as they occurred.  However, the following are some remedies you can try to treat mild hiccups:
Drink a full glass of water
Sip ice water
Suck on an ice cube
Hold your breath for 30 seconds
Breath rapidly
Breath into a paper bag
Pull your knees into your chest
Gasping from sudden fright
Distract your mind from thinking about the hiccups

The above hiccup remedies will usually only work with short bouts of hiccups, and will not cure persistent hiccups that last for longer than 24 hours, or hiccups that recur frequently throughout the day.  If you have persistent hiccups, they could be the cause of acid reflux, in which case you should be experiencing other acid reflux symptoms aside from the hiccups including heartburn, belching, regurgitation, coughing, etc.  Therefore, try the following to remedy your acid reflux hiccups:

Avoid drinking alcohol and carbonated beverages
Stop smoking
Eat and drink slowly.  You should also eat small portions of food to prevent overeating.
Reduce stress.  Find ways to relax or release bottled up energy through exercise, meditation, or taking part in activities you enjoy.

If you try the above remedies and they do not work, you should see your doctor to discover what the underlying cause of your hiccups are.  You may discover that your hiccups and acid reflux are not related.  The reason is because there are more than 100 conditions that can cause hiccups.  Usually when the underlying cause is identified, persistent hiccups can be cured.

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Once you understand the causes of heartburn you can then begin to remedy heartburn.  You will discover that there are many natural food remedies you can try.  Your choice of natural food medicine, whether it is a fruit or herb, depends on your preference, your health, and how well the substance works for treating your symptoms.

While there are many food remedies for heartburn, one fruit in particular that has been seen to be effective is papaya.   Papaya fruit comes from the tropical tree Carica papaya.  It has been used orally and topically for many years to treat a variety of health ailments such as fungal infections, skin sores, cholesterol, and toothaches.  However, despite its anti-inflammatory action, papaya is most widely recognized for the benefits it provides the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
Papaya encourages digestion, eases indigestion and constipation, can remove parasites from the intestines, and remedy heartburn. 

How exactly does papaya alleviate heartburn?  The answer is Papain.  Papain is a digestive enzyme that exists within papaya.  Papain aids digestion and soothes the stomach.  It dissolves protein and reduces fats and carbohydrates, promoting a healthy acidic enzyme environment.    Papain is also called vegetable pepsin on occasion, because papain is very similar to pepsin which is created by the stomach to digest food.

How can you take papaya for heartburn?  Here are some ways you can use papaya to achieve heartburn relief:

Eat ripe, raw fresh papaya fruit with your meal
Eat ripe, raw fresh papaya for dessert
Add papaya to your salad
Drink papaya juice
Make papaya part of a marinade
Eat ripe, raw fresh papaya fruit with honey to treat an attack of heartburn.  You can also eat this sweet snack before meals and between meals as heartburn prevention.
Eat dried papaya after meals (Note: dried papaya should only be eaten in moderation because the concentrated sugar in dried papaya can cancel out the heartburn relief the enzyme papain provides)
Take papaya tablets or papaya seed extract to remedy heartburn symptoms.   You can also take these products before you eat your meals to prevent heartburn from occurring.

Where can I obtain papaya?  You can obtain papaya fruit in your local fruit market.  You can find papaya tablets and papaya seed extract in health stores.

What are the side effects of papaya?  Eating raw, unripe papaya fruit can negatively affect the mouth, esophagus, stomach or intestines by causing inflammation, irritation, pain or sores to occur in these areas.  Therefore, papaya should only be ingested when it is ripe.

How can you tell if a papaya is ripe?  A ripe papaya fruit has a creamy golden yellow appearance on the outside. The flesh of the fruit is a deep orange-yellow and has many black shiny seeds bunched together in its centre.  Ripe papaya fruit tastes juicy and sweet. 

You should also be aware that papaya may not be the best heartburn remedy if you suffer from an ulcer, as existing sores can become more inflamed.

Who should avoid taking papaya?  Papain may decrease the blood’s ability to clot and might interact with anti-blood clotting medications such as anticoagulants, and antiplatelets.  Aspirin can also slow blood clotting, as can the following herbs: danshen, ginger (in excessive amounts), devil’s claw, red clover, saw palmetto, horse chestnut, garlic, and eleuthero.  Thus, papaya should not be taken orally with any of the above medications or herbs.

Individuals who are allergic to latex should not use papaya as the fruit contains this substance.

If you are pregnant please consult your health professional before using papaya as a natural heartburn remedy.

Finally, make sure you consult your health care provider before choosing to remedy heartburn with papaya. 

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Acid reflux, commonly called heartburn, may be connected with a number of health issues such as IBS, but have you ever wondered what causes heartburn (heart burn)?  After all, heartburn isn’t the only symptom of acid reflux, so why is it the most frequent symptom associated with it?

Heartburn is the most common sign of acid reflux because it is one of the symptoms of this condition that can truly be felt by the sufferer.  Heartburn occurs when gastric acid has remained in the lower esophagus for a prolonged period of time.  The irritation the acid inflicts on the esophagus causes the sufferer to feel an uncomfortable, and often painful burning sensation behind the breastbone, which can rise to the level of the throat.  

Heartburn occurs when the muscle valve between the esophagus and stomach, known as the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), fails to close while the stomach is digesting food.  When the LES opens during digestion, acid can be refluxed into the esophagus and heartburn is often the end result.  When the LES fails, this is often because it has become weakened.  There are many causes that can weaken the LES.  In fact many of these causes are the same factors that can make heartburn worse.

What can make heartburn worse?  There are many dietary and lifestyle factors that can cause heartburn flare-ups to be prolonged, frequent, or intense.  The following are the most common factors:

Caffeine.  Drinks or foods that contain caffeine including regular and decaffeinated coffee and tea, soda, energy drinks and chocolate. 

Fatty and spicy foods.  Red meats, deep fried and processed foods, spicy foods such as chili and curry.  These foods stay in the stomach longer and slow down digestion which places pressure on the LES.

Tomatoes.  Tomato and tomato based products including sauces and juice.  Tomatoes relax the LES.

Raw onion.  Raw onion does not appear to cause acid reflux in those who do not have it, but it often makes heartburn worse in those who suffer from the condition, especially when eaten in high quantities.

Citrus fruits citrus juices.  Oranges, grapefruits, lemon, lime, etc.  Citrus relaxes the LES.

Peppermint.  Mint candy, mint tea, or mint ice cream.  Peppermint is beneficial for the digestive system, but it relaxes the LES.

Milk.  Milk is believed to help heartburn sufferers find relief from their symptoms because it can work as an instant antacid.  However, relief is often only temporary, as the calcium and protein in milk stimulate the production of acid, which can make your heartburn return worse in as little as 30 minutes of ingesting milk.

Alcohol.  Wine, beer, liquors, spirits.  Alcohol relaxes the LES and also increases acid production in the stomach.

Tobacco.  Smoking cigarettes, cigars or chewing tobacco weaken the LES and decrease saliva production.  Saliva helps to neutralize stomach acid.

Large meals.  A large meal is any meal that leaves you to feeling ‘stuffed’ or ‘bloated’.  Large meals can promote an increase in acid production, slow digestion, and place pressure on the LES.

Eating within 2 – 3 hours before bed.  Lying down directly after eating pushes the contents of the stomach against the LES.  Furthermore, when you sleep, all of your muscles naturally relax including the LES, which is why acid reflux is often worse at nighttime.

Strenuous exercising.  Sit-ups, stomach crunches, etc.  Exercises that are tough on the abdominal muscles stress the stomach and the LES.  Furthermore, bending after eating can also make heartburn heart burn worse.

Tight clothing.  Tight pants, girdles, corsets, belts.  Clothing that fits tightly around the abdomen squeezes the stomach and can force food up against the lower esophageal sphincter, forcing it to open.

Excess weight.  Being overweight or obese places stress on the stomach which then places stress on the LES causing it to weaken.

Medication.  Some medications can make heartburn worse including:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs/NSAIDs (ibuprofen, aspirin, etc.)
Anticholinergic drugs (antihistamines and urinary tract disorders)
Calcium channel blockers (high blood pressure)
Nitrates (angina)
Beta-2 agonists (asthma)
Tricyclic (antidepressants)
Diazepam(seizures and anxiety disorders)

If you are taking any medication for another health condition, talk to your doctor to find out if your medication is making your heartburn (heart burn) worse.

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There can be many symptoms associated with acid reflux including heartburn, nausea and a sore throat, but did you know that there is also an acid reflux IBS connection?  This may sound surprising considering acid reflux is a condition that affects the esophagus, while irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a condition that tends to be related to the intestines.    However, many people who suffer from IBS often complain of symptoms that occur in their upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract including stomach pain, nausea, and acid reflux/heartburn.

It is thought that the upper GI symptoms an IBS sufferer experiences is related to the rate that the stomach empties its acid and food contents.  If the stomach environment is ‘unbalanced’, it can effectively try to expel partially digested contents from both of its openings – the small intestine and the lower esophageal sphincter (LES).  This can lead to acid reflux IBS symptoms occurring simultaneously.

In some cases, the imbalance in the gastric environment related to acid reflux and GI problems is the result of not enough stomach acid for proper food digestion.   When the stomach is deficient in acid, food cannot be broken down and easily digested.  This can not only lead to heartburn because food isn’t being moved into the small intestine fast enough, but it can allow bad bacteria that are usually kept in check by stomach acid to flourish.  This may lead to fungal overgrowths and nutrient deficiencies, which can lead to chronic conditions such as IBS.   Furthermore, it is now widely believed that bacterial infections within the GI tract may cause ulcers.

For this reason, many acid reflux and IBS sufferers may in fact be making both conditions worse if they take antacids to treat their heartburn if their stomach does not produce enough acid.  Antacids are designed to neutralize stomach acid, and frequent use may put an individual at a greater risk of bacterial infection.  However, keep in mind that if your doctor has prescribed you medication for your heartburn or acid reflux/GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) symptoms, you should not stop taking prescription antacid medication without first notifying your doctor.

Many GI issues including acid reflux can be by controlled through your diet and lifestyle choices.  Here are some tips to help you bring your symptoms under control:

Friendly foods and beverages.  Knowing what foods you should eat and avoid is very important for controlling acid reflux, IBS or other GI symptoms.  The first step is to know what foods trigger your acid reflux (I.E. fatty foods, spicy food, tomatoes, citrus fruits and juices, caffeine, and alcohol) and avoid them.  The next step is to find out what foods cause your IBS symptoms (I.E. bloating, stomach pain and cramping, gas, constipation, diarrhea, etc.).  

Keeping a food diary to find out what specific foods cause your symptoms is a great way to stay on top of your food choices. By removing potential trigger foods from your diet and reintroducing them one food at a time to your diet can help you identify those items which cause symptoms to flare.

Foods that many IBS sufferers report make their symptoms worse include: foods high in fat, caffeine, and milk and milk products.  In fact, a large number of IBS sufferers are actually lactose intolerant.

Essentially, when it comes to creating a diet for acid reflux, IBS, or other GI issues you will want to ensure you are drinking plenty of water, and are providing your body with as much healthy food variety as possible.

Change eating habits.  Eat smaller portions and more frequent meals, and avoid lying down directly after eating.  You should also wear comfortable clothing, and sit down and relax while you eat your meals slowly.  This will allow your body the time it needs to properly digest the food you’ve eaten.

Reduce stress.  Stress can wreak havoc on the GI tract and make symptoms worse.  Learn how to relax and deal with your stress through exercise, meditation, or enjoying activities that make you happy such as reading, going shopping, and so on.

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If your stomach feels queasy and you’re feeling fatigued, you could be suffering from heartburn nausea weakness.   Although it may seem strange to suffer from nausea or weakness if you have acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), you need to remember that there are a number of symptoms related to acid reflux, not just heartburn.

The following is an individual breakdown of heartburn, nausea and weakness, why these symptoms occur, and how they can be treated.

Heartburn – Heartburn is the number one sign of acid reflux, and frequent heartburn indicates GERD.  Heartburn occurs when acid has been refluxed up into the lower esophagus and has had prolonged contact with the unprotected lining of the esophagus.    Heartburn is characterized by a painful burning sensation in the chest, which may rise up to the upper esophagus towards the neck.  Heartburn typically occurs after eating, or shortly after lying down.

Nausea - While nausea is an uncommon condition among GERD sufferers, it can be quite frequent and severe for the unfortunate people who do experience it.  When related to acid reflux, nausea typically occurs when acid backs up past the upper esophageal sphincter (UES) and into the throat.  When acid is refluxed into the throat and larynx (voice box), it can cause a sour or bitter taste to occur in the throat.  Due to the unpleasant feeling, a person may experience regurgitation with their nausea, or may actually vomit if nausea is severe. 

Nausea is a more common condition among ‘uncomplicated’ GERD sufferers and those who have laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR).  Furthermore, acid reflux sufferers who experience nausea rarely suffer from heartburn, and vice versa.

Weakness – A GERD sufferer may experience two types of weakness associated with heartburn.  The first is the weakness that occurs in the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which is the primary cause of acid reflux.   The LES is designed to open to let food into the stomach, but should close to keep digestive acids from flowing back up into the esophagus.  However, the LES muscle can become weak and malfunction.  A weakened LES is attributed to many causes including:
Food (foods high in fat, caffeine, citrus fruits and juices, etc.)
Alcohol
Smoking
Excess weight

The second type of weakness may be an actual feeling of fatigue which could be related to:

Eating heavy meals – It takes plenty of energy to digest food, and certain foods such as meat are exceptionally hard on the digestive system. As the body diverts resources to the digestion process you can often feel drained, fatigued or sleepy.

Night time heartburn – heartburn tends to frequently occur when a person is sleeping because the muscles of the body naturally relax during sleep, this includes the LES muscle.  Heartburn can keep you awake and disrupt your sleeping pattern leading to daytime fatigue.

Lack of exercise and excess weight – If you lead a very sedentary lifestyle and are overweight, your body will often feel sluggish.  Furthermore, excessive weight places stress on your muscles and other internal functions making your body work harder to carry out its normal processes.

Treatment options – Related heartburn, nausea and weakness can be treated using virtually the same methods.  In regard to heartburn and nausea, you can relieve the symptoms by neutralizing acids with a herbal remedy such as ingesting Active Manuka Honey, ginger tea, or papaya, or by taking anti-acid medications such as antacids (I.E. Tums, Gaviscon, etc.), H2 receptor blockers (I.E. Zantac) or Proton Pump Inhibitors.  On the other hand, to help alleviate feelings of weakness and fatigue, adopting some low impact exercises and reducing stress can help you feel better and increase your energy. 

Nevertheless, the best way to cope with related heartburn nausea and weakness symptoms is to prevent acid reflux from occurring by:

Avoiding foods that weaken the LES

Eating slower and more frequent meals

Avoiding eating 2 – 3 hours before sleeping or lying down

Sleeping with your head elevated a few inches

Avoiding exercising or engaging in high-impact activities directly after eating

Losing excess body weight through a healthy lifestyle change

Lastly, before you begin any form of treatment, make sure you have any heartburn, nausea or weakness symptoms checked out by your doctor incase you are suffering from another condition or a more serious health problem.

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It is important to treat your acid reflux before it causes any serious complications.  However, the type of treatment and how long will it take to heal acid reflux varies from person to person.  Meaning you need to find the right treatment option that will work for you.

Everyone responds differently to treatment based on how severe their GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) condition is, and how their body reacts to treatment.  So, what works for one individual may not for another.  Likewise, how long will it take to heal acid reflux depends on how well a person responds to treatment and the severity of GERD.  Therefore, for many acid reflux sufferers, discovering the treatment best suited to their specific needs is often a process of elimination, and may result in a combination of treatments.

There are many different types of treatment options.  The following is a breakdown of the most common methods: 

Lifestyle change – This is the most recommended treatment when it comes to healing acid reflux because it is simply a matter of changing habits to prevent acid reflux such as avoiding foods that trigger acid reflux, improving eating habits, maintaining a healthy weight through regular exercise, reducing stress, avoid eating before bed, etc.

Traditional medicine – There are three main medication types used to treat and prevent acid reflux and they include:

Antacids (I.E. Tums, Gaviscon, etc.) – they work by neutralizing stomach acid and can be beneficial for those who suffer from occasional heartburn. 

H2 –receptor antagonists (I.E. Zantac, Pepcid, etc.) – neutralize acid by preventing stomach cells from producing acid and is stronger than an antacid.  Tends to benefit GERD sufferers who do not suffer from additional complications such as ulcers and Barrett’s esophagus. 

Proton Pump Inhibitors (I.E. Prilosec, Nexium, etc.) – Highly effective at stopping the production of acid, and also helps to heal an inflamed esophagus.  They are ideal for GERD sufferers who have complications. 

It’s difficult to determine how long will it take to heal acid reflux when it comes to traditional medicine, because many of these medications are not meant to be taken for long-term treatment.

Alternative medicine – There are various alternative medicines, but three commonly used to treat GERD are:

Traditional Chinese Medicine.  This primarily includes the ancient practices of acupressure and acupuncture.  Both techniques involve manipulating specific acupoints in the body as prescribed by ancient Chinese medicine.    By applying pressure or inserting needles in to the specific acupoints that are connected to the symptoms one is experiencing, it is believed that the meridian system that exists within the body known as Yin, Yang and Qi can be brought into alignment and allow the body to heal itself.   The techniques are virtually the same, except that acupuncture uses thin needles, while fingers, knuckles and elbows are used to apply pressure to acupoints in acupressure.

Homeopathy.  This alternative therapy works to treat an individual based on their mental, physical, and personal characteristics. A GERD sufferer will be treated based on their specific symptoms, not their condition.  Therefore, no two GERD sufferers will be prescribed the same course of treatment.  Homeopathic remedies are made from natural plant, animal and mineral substances.

Herbal remedies.  This is an alternative treatment that uses various plant and plant parts for medicinal purposes.  Popular herbal remedies for GERD include, but are not limited to:
Chamomile
Clove
Ginger root
Licorice
Turmeric

Herbs are commonly ingested in the form of tea but can be sold fresh, dried, or in powder, tablet, and pill form.  They can usually be found in health food stores or sold from an herbalist.

When pursuing alternative treatment it is imperative that you find a qualified and experienced professional for the specific treatment you are seeking.  Furthermore, if you are wondering how long will it take to heal acid reflux with an alternative remedy, it depends on the specific symptoms you are experiencing.

Remember, you must be patient when healing acid reflux, as it takes time, often months before there is any real improvement.  Furthermore, healing is all about preventing the recurrence of acid reflux.  There is no treatment that cures GERD indefinitely; acid reflux can continue to occur if you do not maintain your methods of prevention.

Finally, regardless of the treatment method you use, you should first consult your doctor to receive professional advice on how long will it take to heal acid reflux, and also so he/she can monitor your progress or provide you with new treatment ideas if you have trouble finding treatment that works.

Have you signed up for the free acid reflux newsletter? It’s packed full of proven methods for tackling Acid Reflux, Heartburn and GERD head-on and provides useful advice suggestions for people looking to discover how long will it take to heal acid reflux.