How To Cure Gastric Reflux

Place several wooden cleats to elevate the headboard so that your body is not completely horizontal to prevent reflux.

Also called gastroesophageal reflux (or ERGE in its abbreviation), it involves the passage of gastric contents to the esophagus from the stomach. Because of an altercation of the body’s natural “barriers”. It is not always a disease but it can appear following some bad eating habits. Learn how to treat gastric reflux in the following article.

Causes and symptoms of gastric reflux

One of the most important or recurring causes is inner esophageal sphincter imbalance. This is a ring that surrounds the esophagus where it meets the stomach. It therefore remains closed to prevent gastric juices from “rising” through the esophagus. When this is altered, there is less pressure at rest, the muscle relaxes and it does not perform its function.

Certain medications or substances such as alcohol, caffeine or tobacco promote reflux. It is one of the most common digestive disturbances (15% of the adult population suffers from it once a week and 7% daily).

Among the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux, we can distinguish:

• Pyrosis: this is the best known. It is a burning or “burning” sensation in the sternum. It increases after eating a lot or going to bed right after dinner.

• Regurgitation with a sour taste in the mouth. Chest pain, difficulty swallowing food or salivating.

• Respiratory alterations, especially during the night: bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma, etc.

• Other manifestations: abdominal pain, excess belching, heaviness after a meal, hiccups. Nausea, discomfort in the larynx or pharynx, a sensation of a foreign body in the throat and until you lose your voice.

• In children, the main symptoms are excessive regurgitation and breathing problems. When they become chronic, it can cause anemia, intermittent stiff neck, stunted growth.

Tips for treating gastric reflux

• Avoid going to bed immediately after eating, especially after dinner. Allow about two hours or more depending on the amounts ingested.

• Raise the bed about 15 cm with wooden cleats on the front legs. So the body will not be completely tense.

• No longer use a pillow to elevate your head after lying down. Indeed, this creates a flexion of the neck while the entire upper trunk is raised.

• Do not wear tight fitting pieces at mealtime. The best clothes are flexible and made with fabrics that don’t fit the body.

• Do not cook too many dishes. Better to eat six small portions than two very large.

• Control obesity and overload

• Eliminate alcohol consumption and quit smoking

• Avoid foods or drinks that relax the esophageal sphincter, such as chocolate, sauces, stews, etc.

• Avoid doing exercises, sudden movements. To bend down, lift a weight, etc., immediately after eating.

• Minimize stress

• Eliminate from your diet foods that have an irritating effect on the gastric mucosa and the esophageal sphincter. Fats, garlic, tomatoes, fried foods, onions, cold cuts, juices, tea, dried fruits, soft drinks, mint, citrus fruits.

• Reduce the consumption of sugars and prepared foods. Pay attention to the balance of the stomach and intestinal flora.

• Consume more fruits and vegetables, as well as milk and skimmed yogurt

Home remedies for gastric reflux

• Apple cider vinegar : before meals, consume a spoonful of apple cider vinegar dissolved in a glass of cold water. This will then aid digestion and act as a quick relief from gastric reflux.

• Baking soda : drink a glass of water with a spoonful of baking soda during the effervescence.

• Aloe vera juice : it is very effective against stomach discomfort and against inflammation of the digestive tract. Take a stalk of aloe vera, remove the pulp and mix with a little water. Drink this drink once a day to alleviate symptoms of burning or fire in the stomach.

• Licorice: This herb protects the digestive tract and helps treat gastric reflux. Make an infusion with a handful of dry plant per liter of water. Filter then drink a cup after the meal. You can also make a mother tincture from this herb.

• Almond milk : it can be consumed before or after eating. Or when the symptoms of reflux or acidity begin. Place 100 grams of almonds and a liter of water in the blender. Mix well and strain. You can start mixing this paste again with another 50 grams and add a liter of water. Sweeten with honey, stevia or cinnamon.

• Foods with natural ferments : Milk or kefir water. Pickles or a spoonful of sauerkraut. This will quickly alleviate the signs of gastric reflux.

• A clove and cardamom : You can suck them like a candy after having eaten or after having made an infusion with the two ingredients. These spices help reduce stomach acid levels and symptoms of reflux.

• Cabbage : Prepare cabbage juice every day (a few leaves with a little water in the blender), to treat gastric reflux. This juice also prevents this symptom.

• Cumin : Cumin is very effective in treating gastric reflux. Boil a cup of water with some cumin seeds and then drink it during meals.

• Ginger : Ginger extract is excellent for improving the discomfort produced by reflux. You can also make an infusion with a small slice in a cup of boiling water.