How to Reduce Acid Reflux

Reducing acid reflux may be as easy as making a few changes to your diet, or using an over-the-counter acid reducer. For some people, however, prescription medication or even allergy testing may be in order. You may want to try reducing acid reflux at home before seeking medical help. Severe acid reflux, though, may be a sign of a medical problem that needs attention if these steps don't provide relief.

Instructions

Soothing Heartburn Pain

1

Take a shot of apple cider vinegar. Surprisingly, a lot of acid reflux occurs when there isn't enough acid in the stomach to digest the food that's in there, and partially digested food gets backed up the esophagus. It tastes terrible, but the people who have found relief from this method say that it's worth it.

2

Eat smaller meals and drink a moderate amount of water with each meal to prevent the churning stomach mixture from backing up (reflux).

3

Try dissolving a teaspoon of baking soda in a half cup of warm water and drink it. The mixture is highly alkaline, which can cut the acidity and relieve pain.

4

Avoid cigarettes, which tend to reduce the amount of saliva in your mouth. When you chew, food is supposed to become masticated and mixed with saliva to begin the enzymatic process in digestion. Without saliva, your food enters the stomach less digested than your stomach is prepared for. Your stomach releases more acids to compensate.

5

Drink green tea with your meals as the antioxidants are believed to aid digestion.

6

Eat something acidic before each meal, like an orange, strawberries or a papaya. These fruits will create an acidic environment in your stomach so that your stomach doesn't have to create extra acids. Food enters and can be immediately and efficiently digested.

7

Chew your food well. The physical break-down of your food allows more enzymatic saliva to be pressed in between the food molecules, preventing the need for the stomach to release strong acids to break down the big chunks.

8

Get tested for allergies. Lactose intolerance, for one, can cause severe heartburn. Other food allergies also can contribute to acid reflux.

9

Watch alcohol consumption. The recommendation for a glass of red wine with meals, however, is a good one, but keep it to a four-ounce glass rather than a six pack of beer. Alcohol can relax the esophageal sphincter, inviting reflux.

10

Use an extra pillow if you're subject to heartburn at night. When you're lying vertical, you're more likely to suffer from stomach acids rising into your esophagus.

11

Avoid fried and fatty foods. These foods are unhealthy, they provide a lot of calories and your body is hardly able to digest them. It takes a lot of acid to break down hydrogenated fat

12

Lose weight. People who are obese tend to suffer from acid reflux more often than those who are at their ideal weight.