When you suffer the symptoms of acid reflux, you want to find relief right away. These symptoms can include chest pain after eating a big meal, when bending over, or a burning feeling behind the breastbone. You may also experience a sour or acid taste in the back of your throat. Whatever symptoms you suffer from, your first thought is to find relief as fast as possible.
Simple lifestyle changes are one of the easiest home treatments for acid reflux. If you suffer at night, try to stop eating three hours before you go to bed. You can also place small wooden blocks under the head of the bed, to elevate it. This helps to keep your stomach contents in your stomach, rather than slipping up into your esophagus and causing problems.
Eating fewer fried foods and high carbohydrate foods will also reduce acid reflux attacks. Smaller meals that are more frequent will help as well. Both of these solutions work because your stomach will produce less acid, so there is less chance of irritation.
Daily stress relief is another great acid reflux home treatment. Schedule a few minutes of quiet time into your day. Relieving the stress of day-to-day life gives your natural stress response a break. This will help your stomach to produce less acid, and digest your food more easily.
If you find yourself suffering from an acid reflux episode, loosen your waistband. Tight fitting clothes increase the pressure on your stomach, and can cause the stomach acid to push up to the esophagus. By relieving the pressure, your stomach contents will settle back where it belongs, and you will feel instant relief. A tall glass of cold water can also provide temporary relief, as it will dilute the stomach acid.
Fennel tea is another good home treatment for acid reflux. Pour boiling water over two teaspoonfuls of fennel seeds, and let it steep for several minutes. Your symptoms will be gone by the time you are finished your tea.
If these home treatments for acid reflux don't seem to work for you, you might need a prescription from your doctor. There are many medications that are effective for the symptoms of acid reflux. If you frequently suffer from acid reflux, or your symptoms are severe, you need to see your health care professional to rule out a more serious condition.
By: Gerri Stone -