Help for the Pain of Acid Reflux

Acid reflux affects more than 25 million adults every day, according to AcidRefluxTreatment.org. It may be caused by a single case of heartburn, manifest itself during pregnancy or be the result of a more serious disease or illness. If the pain of acid reflux persists for more than a few hours, you need to consult your doctor, who may refer you to a gastroenterologist or another specialist to find the cause of your digestive problem.

Over-the-Counter Treatment

Your treatment plan will be based on the cause of your acid reflux. If it begins as a mild case of heartburn, you can probably get some relief from an over-the-counter antacid like Rolaids or Tums that neutralize the acids in your stomach. If the problem is moderate, you might want to try a product that reduces stomach acid production, such as Pepcid AC, Zantac 75 or Tagamet HB.

Prescription Treatment

If the problem persists or is severe, you need your physician to prescribe something stronger than anything you can buy over the counter. The most common medications for severe acid reflux are called proton pump inhibitors. Some of them are able to quickly heal sores that may have formed in the esophagus as a result of acid reflux.

Natural Treatment

To treat your acid reflux in a natural way, the first thing you need to do is find out what is causing it. Try to eliminate anything in your diet that is highly acidic or triggers an acid reflux attack. Typical culprit foods are tomatoes, highly seasoned foods, onions, white bread, coffee and alcohol.

Once you find what triggers your acid reflux, you may find yourself relying less on over-the-counter or prescription medication. However, certain foods or supplements that my help prevent future attacks are aloe vera juice, peppermint tea, lavender tea, papaya enzymes, bromelain (pineapple enzymes). Papaya enzymes and bromelain help break down fat, sugar and protein which may prevent you from having digestive problems. Pineapples are known to reduce inflammation and help heal your digestive system.

Comfortable Position

Sometimes the symptoms of acid reflux are so severe they may awaken you. The pain in the chest may be frightening as it can resemble a heart attack. Many people with acid reflux have found that sleeping with the top half of the body slightly elevated helps prevent heartburn at night. Since most people don't have mechanical beds that can be raised or lowered at the push of a button, try placing a folded blanket beneath the top part of your mattress.