How to Effectively Treat and Reduce Acid Reflux

Acid Reflux is a condition where the liquid contents of the stomach back up into the esophagus (the tube connecting the throat to the stomach). It can cause a sour or bitter taste in your mouth, make it hard to swallow, feel as if you have excessive amount of mucus in the back of your throat that you can’t seem to clear and a host of other symptoms, such as heartburn or even nausea.

If you suffer from Acid Reflux, here are some things you can do to effectively reduce and treat your symptoms.

Change Your Diet.

Eating foods that are more naturally alkaline as opposed to acid can help return the ph of the digestive system to a more neutral state.

Recommended alkaline foods would include: Ginger root, fennel seed, herbal teas, non-citrus fruits and most vegetables.

Foods that should try to be avoided due to acid reflux would be tomatoes, onions, chili powder, chocolate, fatty foods, fried foods, or caffeinated beverages.

Eat smaller meals more often.

Quite often you can reduce acid reflux symptoms if you eat smaller meals more often during the day as opposed to 3 large meals. (The meals themselves however should still be more on the alkaline side and less on the acid.)

Eat Early.

Try eating your last meal at least 3 hours before bedtime. This can help reduce symptoms that normally occur while sleeping.

Raise Your Head.

Try raising your head at least 6 inches higher than the rest of your body while sleeping. You can do this by using extra pillows, of if it is more comfortable, by placing a brick or something solid under the mattress to raise the mattress itself up. This way, gravity will help keep stomach acid in the stomach.

Avoid Smoking and Alcohol.

Smoking and alcohol (especially imbibed in right before bedtime), could also be big contributors to suffering from acid reflux symptoms at night. If you notice that you have been snoring more lately, have woken up with hoarseness in your throat, or feel as if you have mucus in your throat that you have a hard time clearing; these can all be symptoms caused by Acid Reflux.

Use over the counter drugs.

Pepcid AC and other over-the-counter acid reducing drugs can help bring immediate relief to acid reflux sufferers. However, if you find that you are needing the drugs more often or taking them for longer periods of time, it might be time to go to a doctor and get a prescription for a stronger combatant.

Prescription Drugs.

Two of the most popular recommended drugs by physicians are Prilosec and Nexium. These work differently than just helping symptoms of acid reflux. These drugs actually help to reduce the amount of acid that the stomach produces along with the help of the best Gastroenterologist in Okeechobee. They also promote healing of damaged tissues in as little as a couple of months.

So if you have been suffering from these symptoms for any length of time, it might be time for you to go see your doctor.