One thing this article doesn't talk about is the long term affect of suppressing stomach acid. Stomach acid is needed to activate the enzymes that digest our meals. Without those enzymes (some of us no longer have enough) and the acid to activate them the food sits in your stomach and ferments. Then it moves to the colon, but is too large to distribute the nutrients from to food into the body. It continues through the digestive tract building up the bad bacteria and causing damage as it goes. The results start with simple things like constipation and progress to things like leaky gut and even cancer.
Sharing a big meal is a time-honored tradition for most holiday
celebrations, and over-indulging is often accompanied by food coma and
acid indigestion. Swallowing gallons of antacids or sucking on chalky
lozenges won't stop the pain for long, or keep it from returning.
However, a few simple lifestyle changes and natural remedies may prevent
burning chest pain, belching, coughing and choking.
Acid reflux
is a common problem for many people accustomed to making poor food
choices and overeating. Add holiday foods and drink into the mix, and
it's a recipe for a potential ulcer. Antacids, proton pump inhibitors
and other pharmaceuticals are the common go-to for most people suffering
from acid reflux, and the uninformed don't realize that these dangerous
medicines are not a cure. They temporarily suppress symptoms,
sometimes. As their short-term effects wear off, rebound occurs, making
the return of acid reflux and related symptoms even more serious.
Lesser Known Natural Treatments for Acid Reflux
Certain supplements, herbs and foods provide drug-free solutions for acid reflux and heartburn.
Unrefined,
organic honey is very soothing and may reduce burning pains. Honey
helps adjust the body's pH, neutralizing stomach acids almost
immediately. A spoonful of honey at bedtime will promote an easier,
symptom-free sleep.
Grow some fresh basil. Basil is used in
Ayurvedic medicine to relieve symptoms of acid reflux. Chewing a fresh
leaf or making tea from fresh basil soothes the digestive tract.
Licorice
root creates a thin film of protective mucus called mucilage that coats
the lining of the esophagus and prevents damage from stomach acids.
Licorice root is very soothing and best consumed as tea. Licorice root
can raise the blood pressure, so consult a health practitioner before
using it in large quantities.
Indian gooseberry heals the
digestive tract and protects against stomach acids. The herb is edible
in its raw form. Add a sprinkle of salt for taste or prepare as tea. Too
much gooseberry can have a laxative effect so use in moderation.
Suck
on a slippery elm lozenge to relieve heartburn. Like licorice root,
slippery elm coats the lining of the digestive tract, protecting
delicate tissues. Additionally, it relieves coughing and throat pain
from regurgitated stomach acids.
Use bromelain, an enzyme that
aids the breakdown of proteins and provides digestive support. Bromelain
encourages faster digestion and increases motility, which prevents
foods from remaining in the stomach to putrefy and cause acid reflux.
Lifestyle Changes
Fortunately,
for those suffering from acid reflux and related conditions, there are a
variety of lifestyle changes that may also relieve symptoms.
Avoid
over-the-counter antacids, which create a feedback loop in the
digestive tract that produces greater amounts of stomach acid and of a
chance for putrefaction and resulting pain.
Eat smaller, more
frequent meals and chew food thoroughly. Saliva mixes with food,
predigests it, and signals the stomach to prepare for additional
digestive functions.
Loosen clothing around the waist after eating and avoid bending over or lifting heavy objects within an hour of eating.
Raise
the head and upper body into an elevated position during sleep to
provide relief for breathing problems. Raising the upper body may
prevent regurgitation of stomach contents and relieve coughing and
choking. Use either an acid reflux pillow wedge or raise the head of the
bed by 4 to 6 inches.
By making a few simple dietary and
lifestyle changes, most people can reduce the incidence of digestive
problems and feel better. If acid reflux symptoms persist or worsen,
consult a health care practitioner.
Sources for this article include:Total-Health-Care.com: Home Remedy for Acid Reflux -- Natural Home Remedies for Acid Reflux
http://www.total-health-care.com/ho...Drugs.com: Baking Soda
http://www.drugs.com/cons/pure-baki...Mayo Clinic: Heartburn
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ge...Life Extension.org: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
http://www.lef.org/protocols/gastro...The Sleep Site: Gastroesophageal Reflux
http://sleephealth.tripod.com/8ger.htmlAcid Reflux Cure: Some Effective Herbal Remedies for Acid Reflux
http://www.acidrefluxcure.net/treat...The Difference Between Acid Reflux and GERD
http://www.everydayhealth.com/diges...Mayoclinic.com:?Gerd
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ge...Earth Clinic Folk Remedies.com: Cure Acid Reflux
http://www.earthclinic.com/CURES/ac...Dr. Theodore A. Baroody; "Alkalize or Die"; Holographic Health Press; 1991
JB Bardot - Natural News
