Acid Reflux - Self Help Treatment

According to a research conducted in the United States, it has been proved that over sixty million american people suffer from stomach acid reflux symptoms and heartburn. Some of these symptoms include a burning sensation, pain in the stomach, behind the breast bone, bloating, nausea, gas and shortness of breath.

These symptoms occur as soon as the hydrochloric acid used to digest food backs up and began to irritate the esophagus lining.

In case, you suffer from a hiatus hernia, you may get to experience frequent heartburn. There are many other causes of heartburn and these include frequent consumption of fried foods, fatty foods or acidic foods such as citrus fruits and tomatoes.

There are many herbal remedies one can try to prevent symptoms of acid reflux. One of the most common remedy is chamomile tea. It relieves esophageal irritation. All you require to do is to pour a cup of boiling water over two to three teaspoons of fresh or dried flowers and then allow it to steep for fifteen or twenty minutes. You can easily drink three cups on a daily basis. Fennel tea is also known to be very effective remedy for acid reflux.

Another remedy is to have raw potato juice mixed with equal portions of fresh water thrice daily. Some people also get good relief via mixing a tablespoon of raw apple cider vinegar inside a glass of pure water. This concoction is supposed to be consumed with meal. Here, one needs to stay away from having any other beverage or alcohol.

Here are some other tips for self help treatment for acid reflux:

a) Tip 1 - Eat smaller meals

If you eat large meals, it tends to remain in the stomach for many hours and this in turn, increases the chances for gastro esophageal reflux. Hence, if you have gastro esophageal reflux, try to distribute your food intake over four to five smaller meals on a daily basis.

b) Tip 2 - Relax while eating
Stress tends to enhance the acid production inside the stomach. Hence, it is important to make meals a soothing experience. Try to sit down and relish your food via eating slowly. Make sure that you chew your food completely. If possible play soothing music.

c) Tip 3 - Relax between meals

You may try many of the relaxation therapies such as meditation, massage, deep breathing, yoga or tai chi in order to prevent as well as relieving heartburn.

d) Tip 4 - Sit upright after meals

Make sure that you maintain postures that tend to minimize the risk for reflux for at least three hours after the meal. Try not to bend over or lift heavy objects.

e) Tip 5 - Nothing within three hours of going to bed

Avoid eating bed time snacks completely.

f) Tip 6 - Loosen up
Do not tie tight belts or waist bands that tend to put excess pressure on your stomach.

g) Tip 7 - Abstain from smoking

It is very important because Nicotine tends to stimulate stomach acid and disturbs LES functions.

h) Tip 8 - Lose weight

Excess weight puts pressure on the stomach and can even push acid on your stomach.