Acid reflux is a gastrointestinal condition where the acid that’s normally supposed to just stay in your stomach starts to rise up to your throat. This causes a very bloated feeling, along with feelings of burning or stinging. In addition to the initial burn, acid reflux can also erode the surface of the esophagus, causing soreness in the throat for a prolonged duration.
Note that if you regularly experience acid reflux, you might be suffering from a more serious condition. It’s possible that you’re suffering from gastrointestinal reflux disease, which means the muscle which closes the pathway between the stomach and the esophagus is too weak. Also, it could develop into chronic ulcers.
If you’re experiencing acid reflux irregularly or very rarely, you can just try to treat it yourself. On the other hand, if you’re experiencing acid reflux on a regular basis, you might want to consult a doctor.
Methods of getting rid of acid reflux come in two forms: In lifestyle changes and in pharmaceutical drugs.
Lifestyle Changes to Get Rid of Acid Reflux
Here are a few of the most important lifestyle changes to make to help calm your stomach acid down:
Eliminate caffeine from your diet. That means getting rid of all forms of coffee, not drinking tea and especially not drinking any sodas. Caffeine is highly acidic in nature and can increase the level of unrest in the stomach. Sodas can exacerbate the problem through the release of carbon dioxide in the stomach.
Reduce citrus. Stop eating lemons, oranges and tomatoes. Citrus fruits are high in acid content and can cause the stomach to increase in acidity, making acid reflux more likely.
Eat at regular times. If you skip meals, the acid that your stomach would normally use to digest food can build up instead. Then when you eat your next meal, the acid can “overflow” and come out on top in the form of an acid reflux. Instead, by eating regular meals you’ll keep the acid in your stomach busy digesting food instead of attacking your esophagus.
Eat small meals. Don’t overeat. Instead, eat more small meals during the day with snacks in between. The more foods you put in your stomach, the more likely it is that stomach acid will get forced up into the esophagus. Think of it like putting an object in a bowl of water. The larger the object, the more water will be forced up. Eating small meals can make all the difference in the world for preventing acid reflux.
Over the Counter Drugs for Acid Reflux
There are several popular options to choose from when it comes to OTC drugs.
Gaviscon. Gaviscon contains two chemicals. When those two chemicals are mixed together in the stomach, they come together to form a protective shield at the top of the stomach, preventing any stomach acid from leaking into the esophagus. This is one of the most effective methods of preventing acid reflux.
H2 Antagonists. These drugs inhibit histamines from functioning properly. Histamines are what normally cause the production of stomach acid. By inhibiting their function, you can essentially prevent your stomach from over-producing stomach acid. While taking H2 antagonists can be highly effective, some doctors have reservations about how healthy it is to suppress the body’s natural acid production cycles.
Antacids. Another common treatment for acid reflux is taking antacids. Antacids work by increasing the level of base in the stomach’s digestive environment. When bases and acids mix, they turn into zero pH water. While this can definitely help reduce the unpleasant sensations of acid reflux, it also interferes with the normal digestive cycle.
These are some of the most popular options for treating acid reflux. One walk into a pharmacy will show you that you’ll have several dozen choices on the shelf for dealing with this particular issue.
You might have to go through several different drugs before you find one that works for you. Each drug works in a slightly different manner. Some work by reducing acid production, others neutralize it, still others blog the reflux from happening. A drug that works for one person might not work for another, because every person’s body is different.
Some drugs are available by prescription only. It’s very likely that acid reflux is covered under your insurance plan, so talk to your doctor about obtaining a prescription.
If you’re only sporadically experiencing acid reflux, then try just using an over the counter drug and changing your lifestyle habits. On the other hand, if it becomes extremely common or unbearable, then consult a doctor as soon as possible.
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