Natural Remedies For Heartburn and Acid Reflux Disease

Heartburn and acid reflux disease are known to cause a lot of discomfort to expectant women during pregnancy. Fortunately, there are some simple remedies that pregnant women may take in order to ease the effects of heartburn and acid reflux disease while they are expecting. Below are 5 home treatments that help to ease heartburn during pregnancy.

It is common for pregnant women to experience frequent episodes of heartburn and GERD disease. Moreover, many pregnant women find it difficult to get effective antacids that they may take for periods longer than 2 weeks. This is because 2 weeks is the recommended period to take antacids which should not be exceeded. One solution to this is to take home-made remedies to cure the reflux episodes.

Some of these natural simple remedies for heartburn and acid reflux disease include:

• Taking a slice of red apple. This is because red apple is a natural antacid which can help ease the effects of reflux.
• Drink plenty of water during the day. This is because water is helps in the creation of a tight seal between the lower esophageal sphincter - LES, and the stomach. The LES is what functions in preventing the rising up of stomach acids into the esophagus.
• Honey is another simple natural remedy which may be used daily to ease the impact of heartburn and acid reflux disease on a patient. Suck on a tablespoon of honey 3 times a day, as honey has healing qualities which may soothe and aid in the repair of the weakened LES.
• Aloe Vera juice is another simple natural remedy which has been recognized throughout history for its amazing healing qualities on skin and tissue damage. You may purchase Aloe Vera juice from a local health food store and drink it regularly during the day to help to repair the damaged or weakened sphincter muscle.

Causes for Heartburn and Acid Reflux

The main cause for heartburn is from stomach acid backing up into the esophagus which irritates the esophagus and causes heartburn pain. If you have ever experienced heartburn, then you know how uncomfortable it can be.

The muscle that keeps food into the stomach sometimes doesn't work properly, and it allows food and liquid to get into the esophagus. Some of the causes for this muscle to stop working correctly are consuming a diet high in fat and caffeine, alcohol, lack of exercise, smoking, and genetics.

Our diet often is the culprit in bringing on heartburn and acid reflux. We often eat foods and drink beverages that aggravate acid reflux. Some of these foods and beverages that cause heartburn are soda drinks, caffeine, coffee, chocolate, orange juice and other citrus juices, tomato based sauces, and foods high in fat and sugar. If you are experiencing heartburn, try limiting these foods and you'll probably feel better. Try to eat more vegetables, including salads, and fresh fruit. Many heartburn sufferers find that eating fresh fruit does not bring on heartburn like citrus fruit juice, so reach for an orange rather than a glass of orange juice.

Another cause for heartburn is eating very large meals and eating too much at once. Try eating smaller meals and eating more often, like 5-6 times a day rather than the traditional three meals.

The way you eat might be bringing on acid reflux as well. Many people who suffer from heartburn eat their food quickly and do not chew it enough to allow for proper digestion. You should chew your food slowly and so well that it is almost entirely liquid before swallowing. Many of us often live our lives in such a rush we don't take the time to enjoy meals and eat them properly. Try this simple change in your diet by chewing each bite slowly and completely and see if this one tip doesn't cut down on heartburn.

If you smoke and are experiencing heartburn, then you have a good reason to stop smoking, as it tends to aggravate esophageal problems and can lead to damaging the esophagus. Drinking alcoholic beverages, especially late at night, can lead to heartburn and acid reflux as well. If you do drink alcohol, try to limit it to one or two drinks, and don't go to bed soon after drinking.

Genetics can play a part in experiencing heartburn, but this is something you cannot change. What you can do is control your diet, exercise, and avoid smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages.

The Prevention and Treatment of Heartburn and Acid Reflux

Heartburn and acid reflux, probably the most common gastro-intestinal disorders of our age, are known to affect patients of all ages and races, regardless of general health condition. Heartburn can appear as a standalone affliction, manifested as a burning sensation in the lower chest, behind the sternum, but it may also occur as a symptom of gastro-esophageal reflux disease. In this last case, the patient will experience heartburn more often, at least a few times per week.

Understanding what causes heartburn and acid reflux is essential for the prevention and treatment of these afflictions. Normally, the gastric contents are prevented from refluxing back into the esophagus by the lower esophageal sphincter - a group of muscles which only relax to let food and liquids to pass into the stomach, tightening back afterwards. Acid reflux and heartburn in general, can occur due to a number of factors, including a dysfunctional lower esophageal sphincter. Also, both eating habits and food can cause the gastric contents to enter the esophagus, where they attack the soft tissue causing the burning sensation of heartburn.

Many people suffering from acid reflux experience night time episodes. These are more severe than regular symptoms, mostly due to the patient being stationary in a lying down position for a long time.

As part of the prevention and treatment of heartburn and acid reflux, lifestyle changes and dietary restraints are probably the most important tools at your disposal. Among the changes in eating habits you may want to consider rearranging your daily meals so that you never eat less than one hour before going to sleep or avoiding large meals, opting instead for many smaller meals throughout the day. Maintaining your weight, quitting smoking and drinking and avoiding tight fitting clothes are also things you may wish to consider if you have been diagnosed with GERD.

As for food, patients suffering from heartburn and acid reflux should avoid spicy, fatty or fried foods, chocolate, citrus fruits and tomatoes, as well as any other foods which you find that trigger the symptoms of your affection. You may want to compile a list of these foods, and make sure you avoid them in the future.

Heartburn and acid reflux can cause a number of complications if left untreated, ranging from mild to severe. In order to avoid any such complications and to cure your affection, you will want to closely follow the treatment plan laid out for you by your health care professional.

Help to Eliminate Heartburn and Acid Reflux

With Gastroesophageal reflux disease, GERD for short, being a very prevalent disease now days, help to eliminate heartburn and acid reflux is a booming business. There are many people who spend small fortunes looking for that all elusive cure. I believe that we can find help the natural way and not have to resort to any of the many different medicines available on the market. Of course it is always wise to check with your doctor when ever it comes to your health.

Some of the natural ways to eliminate heartburn are listed here:

Never eat then go to bed. The acids in your stomach will have a much easier time getting past the sphincter muscle guarding your esophagus when you are in a prone position. If you must eat and go to bed then at least elevate your head.

Change your lifestyle a bit. If you drink a lot of coffee cut back. If your drink a lot of alcohol cut back or at least figure out what drinks are causing the problem. If you are seriously overweight then lose some pounds as this will take undo pressure off of your sphincter muscle.

Avoid those foods that cause it. If pizza gives you heartburn then either do not eat it or do not have so much sauce on it. It is the tomato sauce that throws the acid at you. If certain vegetables cause acid indigestion then watch how much you eat at a given sitting. Speaking of when to eat, try to eat five or six smaller meals instead of only three big ones.

All of these things will help to eliminate heartburn and acid reflux but you have to actually do them to have them help.