Do you often feel a burning sensation in your chest that causes you extreme discomfort? Or do sore throat and dry cough rob your peace? Then you probably might be suffering from gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, also known as GERD, that can cause complications if ignored.
So, how is GERD caused? And what could be the top home remedies that can treat it? Read this post to get the answers!
As stated above, GERD is caused when the barrier between the stomach and the oesophagus, including the lower oesophageal sphincter (LES) gets disturbed. When we eat, the food passes through the throat and into the stomach through the oesophagus. The lower oesophageal sphincter or LES, can be described as the ring of fibres that prevents the swallowed food from moving back to the oesophagus. When this ring of fibres does not close properly, the stomach contents leak back into the oesophagus in the form of harmful acids, and this can damage the oesophageal lining.
Acid reflux or GERD can be caused due to various factors. This disease affects nearly 50% Americans. It is important to go to the root of the problem before devising suitable remedies. GERD is more likely to affect overweight or older people, as they have more abdominal fat that interferes with the oesophageal function, and the lower oesophageal sphincter weakens with age. Thus, acid reflux has multiple causes that vary from person to person. Some of the common causes of GERD are as follows.
GERD is a recurring condition that is more likely to continue for a lifetime. Since heartburn is a common symptom, we simply overlook it as an everyday issue rather than a disease that needs to be cured, or more specifically, prevented. There are countless drugs available that are meant to cure acid reflux. But prolonged use of these drugs can adversely affect the production of stomach acids that play an important role in digestion. The need of the hour, therefore, is to try out some natural remedies for acid reflux or GERD.
The remedies given below can be easily tried at home and are extremely effective in providing relief.
These crunchy nuts can easily eliminate the painful episodes of acid reflux as they are highly alkaline in nature and balance the body’s pH levels. Almonds also control acidity in your stomach, which can otherwise irritate other tissues of the gastrointestinal system. Thus, if you are troubled by acid reflux, all you need to do is pop a handful of raw almonds as a daily snack.
Well, it might sound bizarre to take in acidic substances while trying to cure acidity in your stomach. But anecdotal evidence has shown apple cider vinegar as an amazing remedy for acid reflux. This is because there are both good and bad acids in your stomach, and apple cider vinegar is among the good ones.
Besides, some people suffer from acid reflux due to the inadequate production of acids that are actually required to digest the food in the stomach. In such a situation, adding highly acidic vinegar will stimulate the production of acids so that the stomach balance is maintained and the entire system performs normally.
You can add 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to ½ a glass of water and sip it early in the morning, while eating dinner or before going to bed at night. ACV, being strong, can taste unpleasant. So you can mix it with tea before consuming. Since there is a lack of scientific evidence regarding the effectiveness of apple cider vinegar in this regard, it is advisable to consult your physician before using it as a home remedy for acid reflux.
The anti-inflammatory property of Aloe Vera that soothes burns on the outside can also relieve acidity on the inside. We all are aware of the fact that this herb possesses amazing medicinal properties due to which it is available in the form of juices, capsules and gels.
In the case of acid reflux, it is advisable to have 2 ounces of unprocessed Aloe Vera juice daily. If you have an Aloe Vera plant, you can just open the leaf and scoop out the inside pulp. You consume the juice or pulp on an empty stomach between meals, after meals or just before bedtime. Nursing or pregnant women should avoid using it. The anti-inflammatory nature, as well as the organic compounds in Aloe Vera, can soothe your stomach and oesophagus in a very short span of time. Over consumption of aloe vera juice can act as a laxative. Hence make sure to take it in correct amounts.
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