If working normally, food and liquid should only flow one way, into the stomach. The stomach is lined to keep this acid from doing any harm, but if the stomach contents get into the esophagus it can cause quite a bit of pain, and eventually damage tissues in the esophagus and throat.

Home Treatments For Acid Reflux

There are several medicines that can cause acid reflux or make it worse. If you’ve just started a new prescription or started taking an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about this side effect and they may change your medication or give you advice on mitigating this symptom.

There are many things you can do to help relieve and prevent acid reflux. Some of these are dietary changes and changes in your life style. For instance smoking will cause acid reflux and make it worse. The decision to stop smoking is one thing that can greatly alleviate acid reflux symptoms.

Alcohol can also cause acid reflux. If you drink alcohol you can often minimize the symptoms of acid reflux if you make sure that you don’t drink several hours before going to bed.

Being overweight can also add to the symptoms of acid reflux. Even losing just a few pounds at a time can really make a difference in the severity of this disease. Eating four to six small meals a day instead of three large ones can also make a difference, and don’t eat anything a couple hours before you go to bed. Often when you lay down, acid reflux will get worse. This is typically aggravated by a full stomach. The smaller meals and not eating before you go to bed will allow your stomach to digest the food before you lay down so there isn’t enough in it to cause acid reflux.

You might also try raising just the head of your bed from six to eight inches. There are bed raisers that you can buy, or you can simply use a couple blocks of wood. This works better than adding pillows to the bed. Or there are specially made wedge pillows that will also help. These pillows stay in place and will provide a similar effect to raising the head of your bed.

Stress or eating fast can cause acid reflux. It is important to take your time when you eat, to chew your food well, and to relax and enjoy the food. Try to avoid things that would cause stress, like watching the news when you eat. Since stress will increase stomach acid production, it is important to keep meal time stress-free.

You should also try to avoid heavy lifting or bending over right after you eat. Let your stomach digest its contents before you do these activities or you can force food and liquid through the esophageal sphincter or valve.

Foods to Avoid

One of the best ways to treat acid reflux at home is avoidance. Stay away from fried and fatty foods, especially later in the day. But if you suffer from acid reflux at any time it is best to avoid the foods that can aggravate this condition. Besides fried and fatty food, heavily seasoned or spicy foods can cause problems, as can anything that is acidic. This would include citrus fruits like oranges and orange juice, grapefruit, and lemons. Tomatoes and many tomato sauces are also highly acidic.

Other foods you should avoid include coffee and caffeinated drinks, carbonated drinks, chocolate, and even peppermint and spearmint teas. These mint teas can actually relax the muscles controlling the valve between the esophagus and stomach. Onions and garlic should also be avoided.

Natural Remedies for Acid Reflux Symptoms

Besides changing how you eat and sleep, there are natural remedies that can help relieve acid reflux symptoms. These include:

• Warm towels, a heating pad, or even hot water bottle – If your stomach hurts or cramps as a symptom of acid reflux, you can use heated towels or anything warm, laid across your stomach for up to ten minutes at a time. This can help relieve the pain and cramping associated with acid reflux. Pain medications, especially NSAIDs, can aggravate acid reflux.
• Apple Cider Vinegar – whether you take it in pill form (health food store) or drink two tablespoons in water three times a day, this is natural remedy works for many people. It can also be taken right after a heavy meal to relive discomfort, and you can add more apple cider vinegar to less water if the symptoms are really bad. For a recipe on making your own apple cider vinegar, see here.
• A couple teaspoons of baking soda added to water is also a natural remedy for acid reflux.
• Alone or taken at the same time as the apple cider vinegar or baking soda, you can add acidophilus bifidus capsules or magnesium capsules.
• Drinking several swallows of pickle juice is another natural way to combat acid reflux.
• Gum Chewing – this simple activity will actually increase saliva production, which will help neutralize the acid, soothe the esophagus, and the act of swallowing will push the acid back into the stomach.

Many times this digestive disorder is due weakness or damage to the ring of muscles, or lower esophageal sphincter, that is supposed to let food and fluids into the stomach, and keep it from backing up into the throat.

Often the signs and symptoms of acid reflux or GERD can be minimized through dietary means, or by making a few changes in the way we eat or live. However there are some cases of GERD that may need treatment with special medications or even surgery.

For hints on living with and managing GERD, see here.

GERD symptoms can be fairly minimal, causing mild heartburn all the way up to a very severe form that affects all aspect of life. How bad the symptoms are depend on what is wrong with the ring of muscles, the type and amount of fluid that flows back into the throat, and if the saliva is able to neutralize any of the acid that is refluxed.

Acid Reflux Symptoms

The most universal acid reflux or GERD symptoms include heartburn, dyspepsia, and regurgitation.

Heartburn – is often referred to as acid indigestion. This symptom can manifest as mild discomfort or a burning paid that occurs anywhere from your stomach, through your abdomen into the middle of your chest and even up to your throat.

Regurgitation – occurs when the stomach acid and some other contents back up into the mouth and throat area. You may even vomit some of what comes up. This symptom often causes a bad, bitter taste in your mouth.

Dyspepsia – is actually a general term that is used to describe an upset stomach. You have dyspepsia if you feel nauseous or sick after eating, burp a lot, feel bloated, or have upper abdominal discomfort or pain. You often feel like you’re just too full and could throw up.

Typically you will experience acid reflux shortly after eating, especially if the meal was large or contained lots of meats, creams, and rich sauces. Sometimes if your stomach is full you can regurgitate or experience acid reflux when you bend over or try to pick up something heavy. Many people have problems with acid reflux when they try to lie flat on their back.

GERD is most often experienced at night, and typically the symptoms can be more painful at night. The amount of pain you have is not an indication of the severity of damage to your esophagus. If you have signs and symptoms of GERD or acid reflux on an ongoing basis you should speak to your doctor. The stomach acid can damage the esophageal lining, causing it to bleed.

Often pregnant women will have some acid reflux during their pregnancy, especially in the final months. The pressure put on the stomach and abdomen by the growing baby combined with hormone fluctuations that can affect the muscles in the esophageal sphincter, can create acid reflux. Typically this problem will disappear once the baby is born.

Dietary Hazards

The foods that make acid reflux worse can be somewhat individualized. You might keep a food diary listing what you’ve eaten and how much, then noting the times when you got heartburn or acid reflux after you eat. This might help you find your individual triggers. But there are some common food triggers that affect almost everyone.

Common food triggers for acid reflux include:

• Oranges, Grapefruit, and any citrus fruits or juices
• Chocolate
• Caffeinated drinks
• Foods that are spicy, fatty, or fried
• Onions
• Peppermint
• Tomatoes
• Garlic
• Alcohol

Acid Reflux Complications

If un-treated or ignored, acid reflux may create scarring, which may lead to a narrowing of your esophagus. This can make swallowing difficult, and may even cause food to stick in the esophagus. Worse case scenario, the acid can cause the esophageal lining to change shape and color, and can ultimately cause cancer.

You should definitely tell your doctor anytime you’ve had heartburn more often than twice a week for longer than two weeks. There are acid reflux symptoms that are alarming, that mean you should see your doctor as soon as possible. These symptoms include the appearance of any blood in what you regurgitate or vomit, a loss in weight, stools that are black, tarry, or deep red in color, and any time you have a hard time swallowing or any pain when you swallow.

You should also contact your doctor if you have a hoarse or sore throat, especially in the morning, hiccups that don’t stop, wheezing or dry cough like you’d see with asthma, or a chronic sore throat. Anytime you are nauseous or feel sick to your stomach for longer than a couple weeks, you should speak to your doctor.

Heartburn pain can be mistakenly believed to be a heart attack, and the reverse is true. Sometimes people are having a heart attack and they think they’ve just got heartburn. Anytime you aren’t sure you should call your doctor.

There are foods that can make GERD worse, but some there is actually more help to be found in how you eat your food and when.

Avoid Heartburn – Timing and Size Means Everything

Heartburn can be set off by stress, by not taking enough time when you eat, and by eating too much at one time. Make sure you relax when you eat, each meal should take at least twenty minutes to consume. Ensure you chew your food well and take the time to enjoy it. If you can eat six smaller meals each day rather than three large ones, this will also help. Cutting portion size is an important part of avoiding heartburn. Avoid stress, through annoying or controversial conversation, or by watching something stressful on TV while you eat. This should be a time to relax and enjoy your food.

Add Ginger to Your Diet

Ginger is a great natural way to decrease heartburn. Taken in moderation, less than two to four grams a day, this natural ingredient can be very helpful. You can easily add fresh ginger to many root vegetables like carrots, or sweet potatoes.

Good Food Choices If You Suffer From Heartburn

There are some foods that are not only good for you, but that will help control heartburn. Vegetables like carrots, cabbage, green beans, broccoli, and peas are some of these foods. Add apples and bananas to your diet as these will also help mitigate heartburn.

If you’re having a salad, stay away from acidic dressings with vinegar and choose a non-fat dressing. You will also be safe with cottage cheese, baked sweet potatoes, toast, and broiled chicken.

Bad Food Choices If You Suffer From Heartburn

While the food causes of heartburn can be somewhat individual, there are some foods that are more likely to cause heartburn if you suffer from this ailment. It’s a good idea to keep a food diary, a list of what you eat during the day and when, followed by notations when you get heartburn. This will help you personalize the things that cause you heartburn. The other point is that some of these foods in moderation, or eaten with other foods that won’t cause heartburn, may not cause a problem. Combining the bad foods together can be a recipe for a really bad night.

If you suffer from heartburn you will probably want to stay away from onions and tomatoes. Garlic will sometimes cause heartburn as well. Citrus fruits like lemons, oranges, and grapefruit are also bad ideas. So is orange juice. These acidic foods are especially bad for heartburn if eaten on an empty stomach.

Coffee can also trigger heartburn, as can alcohol. This doesn’t mean that you can’t have it at all, but that you should limit yourself to a three or four ounce cup of coffee in the morning. It might be better if you have that coffee after you have your toast. Typically alcohol, like wine, is consumed on top of lots of creamy or red sauces, and the combination of fat, tomato based sauces, and then wine…can be an incredible recipe for severe heartburn.

Spicy foods like chili, the use of too much pepper, Mexican dishes, and other hot spices can also bring on heartburn.

Foods high in fat, like avocadoes, cheese, nuts, and fatty red meats can slow down the digestive process in the stomach, which may lead to stomach distention, which can place pressure on the esophageal sphincter, creating heartburn. Eat these foods in moderation, and try not to combine cheese and red meat in the same meal. Carbonated beverages can also extend the stomach, leading to heartburn.

If chocolate seems to cause you heartburn, there is a reason for that. Chocolate causes the esophageal sphincter to relax, which will let stomach acids to flow back into the back into the throat, causing heartburn and acid reflux. This is definitely one of the foods you should note in your food diary to see if even the smallest piece could be causing your problems.

For a slideshow on what to eat and avoid with heartburn, see here.

The Conundrum of Peppermint

Peppermint specifically and mint teas in general have long been used as a natural aid for indigestion and heartburn. Yet scientists are now saying that peppermint may actually be a heartburn causing food because it has been found to relax the esophageal sphincter muscle that keeps stomach acid and food from flowing back into your throat from your stomach, which will cause heartburn and acid reflux.

Summary

Many foods may cause heartburn, but the symptoms of acid reflux may also depend on what you eat, how much, what foods you combine, and how stressed you are when you are eating. It is important to find out what foods trigger your individual cases of heartburn.

GERD is not a once and awhile case of heartburn; it’s a disease that has symptoms on a sometimes daily basis that can cause long term and serious health problems.

Understanding GERD

When the stomach acid flows into the esophagus it can damage and irritate the esophagageal lining and the surrounding areas. This reflux of acid can cause symptoms that include light discomfort often described as heartburn, to more severe pain and tenderness.

The signs and symptoms of GERD might include:

• Regurgitation or back flow of food or sour liquid that can leave a bad taste in your mouth.
• Chest pain that worsens as you lay down. This can be a burning sensation that may extend into the throat.
• Swallowing can become difficult or painful.
• Coughing, asthma attacks, or wheezing, which can result in breathing difficulties or problems with your lungs.
• Often your throat will become sore and may cause hoarseness when speaking.
• Heart pain or discomfort that can manifest as pressure, a heaviness or weight across the chest, or as a tightening in the chest area. It may even feel like you are being squeezed.
• After finishing some type of physical activity, GERD may also show itself as a dull ache.

What Causes GERD?

If you don’t have GERD the lower esophageal sphincter, which is a small band of muscle that encircles the lower part of the esophagus, will relax and allow food and liquid to pass into the stomach when you swallow. Once the food and liquid has passed through, this valve will close. For a variety of reasons this band of muscles can quit working right, weakening or functioning abnormally, allowing stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus.

The more this occurs, the more damage can be caused. Over time this acid backup can do more than cause irritation and inflammation. This process can eventually erode the esophagus, make it difficult to swallow, and even cause bleeding and the area to narrow.

This condition can be caused by many factors. There are foods that can make the condition worse, as does obesity, pregnancy, diabetes, and having a Hiatal Hernia. Being overweight or pregnant can exert more pressure on the stomach and diaphragm, extreme overeating can do the same thing. This extra pressure may cause the valve to relax and allow the spill of acid into the esophagus. Pregnancy also causes the body to release hormones that can cause the muscles to relax, which may compound the problem.

Putting pressure on the stomach and diaphragm is why the symptoms of GERD are more pronounced when you are lying down or bent over. Medications like sedatives and calcium channel blockers might also trigger GERD. Smoking and alcohol consumption can also contribute to GERD.

Diagnosing GERD

Doctors will often diagnose heartburn simply from a list of symptoms. More severe symptoms and heartburn that doesn’t readily react to treatment may require additional testing. GERD diagnostic testing may include the use of barium X-rays. This type of x-ray provides the doctor visual proof of the physical state of the esophagus. It will also check the stomach and upper intestine. Often this type of test will indicate or rule out the possibility of a hiatal hernia.

Additional tests that can be used in the diagnosis of GERD include:

• Ambulatory acid (pH) probe – which will gauge the acidity level of stomach acid
• Upper gastrointestinal Xrays – which will explore the upper digestive system
• Esophageal impedance test – which will gauge the levels and amounts of refluxed gas or liquid

For an online quiz to help you determine if you might have GERD, and to help you figure out what to tell your doctor about your symptoms, see here.

Natural Help for GERD

If you have or think you might have GERD there are things you can do that might help with the symptoms. Eat smaller meals, quit smoking, and watch your alcohol consumption, are all good places to start. Some foods seem to trigger heartburn or GERD, so limiting consumption of fatty or fried foods, spicy food, chocolate, peppermint, garlic, and onions may also help reduce this health concern. You can also try natural remedies that include Chamomile tea, Fennel, and Lemon Balm teas.

Summary

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease is typically a chronic condition, which means that once you have it, you can control the symptoms but never really get rid of it. It is also important to note that even if you heal the esophagus with treatment, once the treatment is finished it may return within a few months. Life style changes such as smoking cessation or weight loss and change in diet can help increase the healing and decrease the occurrences of GERD.

When felt occasionally, acid indigestion is not usually something to worry much about. But, when these symptoms crop up more often – or are accompanied by other signs – than something more serious like gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) or even an ulcer may be present.

What Does Indigestion Feel Like?

Acid indigestion is sometimes called dyspepsia.  It is usually caused when the stomach begins to produce too much acid after a large meal, making you feel uncomfortable for a time – or until the digestive system can process it (and the food you have eaten).

So, how do you know that what you are feeling is just acid indigestion nd not something more serious? Some of the most common signs and symptoms of acid indigestion include:

• Bloating – your stomach and abdomen may look physically bloated after eating, or you may just have a full feeling that won’t go away.
• Burping (or gas) – this is temporarily caused by the influx of stomach acid in the digestive tract that is working its way through the body.  While it may be embarrassing, allowing yourself to burp (or worse) can offer real relief.
• Nausea or Vomiting – in severe cases of acid indigestion, the acid production in the stomach may be so heavy that it actually causes purging by the body to get rid of it.
• A sour taste in the back of the throat – when acid production is high, you may actually be able to taste it in the back of your throat; especially when acid reflux or GERD is also present.
• Stomach growling – this is a sign from your stomach that there’s more going on in there than normal digestion.
• Pain or Burning in the stomach –  Some people experience a burning sensation in the stomach with indigestion; while others get an actual stomachache.  Note; heartburn, or a burning sensation in the chest is another problem altogether, although it does begin with acid indigestion. When heartburn occurs, those stomach acids are actually beginning to back up into the esophagus.

Danger Signs of Acid Indigestion

In most cases, acid indigestion comes and goes without causing any real medical trouble.  However, in some rare cases, ulcers, infections and even thyroid disease could be an underlying cause of your tummy troubles and need to be treated by a doctor.

If you are experiencing any of the following danger signs with acid indigestion, call your doctor right away:

• Vomiting that resembles coffee grounds
• Bloody vomit
• Weight loss
• Black, tarry stools
• Severe pain (especially in the upper or lower right side of the abdomen)
• Stomach discomfort that is not related to eating

How to Avoid Acid Indigestion?

If you find that acid indigestion is becoming more common, you may need to make a few alterations to your eating habits and lifestyle in order to relieve your symptoms.  Here are some common things you can do right away to help stop acid indigestion from forming.

Eat Smaller Meals

The less food you give your stomach at one sitting, the less it has to work and this is a good way to keep it from going into overdrive when it comes to producing digestive juices. Most doctors recommend eating smaller amounts of food more often throughout the day when experiencing bouts of acid indigestion.

Eat Slowly

When you eat too quickly (or on the run), you tend to swallow more air, and this can lead to higher acid production in the stomach.

Take a Break After Meals

Take time out to relax after meals.  Not only can it relieve stress, but it can help aid digestion and keep you from feeling full and uncomfortable.

Don’t Drink During Meals

Take fluids after meals; not while eating. This too will help aid proper digestion.

Avoid Alcohol and Spicy Foods

Both can bolster acid production in the stomach, which causes indigestion and reflux.

Acid indigestion is so common, that most of us will experience its painful side effects some time in the next few months. But, knowing its regular symptoms and comparing them to how we are feeling can help each of us make a determination in regards to whether or not to seek medical help for our discomfort.

When handled correctly, acid indigestion can be nothing more than an occasional nuisance that needs rest and antacids. But, left untreated for long periods of time, it can become a real medical problem that needs to be dealt with before it causes serious risks to your well being.

Dangers of PPIs

Proton pump inhibitors, otherwise known as PPIs have been found to damage your body’s ability to absorb calcium. This can lead to other health conditions, like osteoporosis – deterioration of the bones. While you can counteract this effect, somewhat, by increasing your carotenoid intake, the fact remains that PPIs are not safe to continue for long periods of time. As recommended by Mayo Clinic, if you are taking PPIs for more than a year, you should be tested for calcium absorption.

The problem is that PPIs are the most commonly used method of treatment for GERD, despite the fact that not all GERD issues are related to stomach acid. PPIs inhibit the production of stomach acid but since approximately half of all GERD occurrences are not related to stomach acid production, it makes sense why so many GERD sufferers fail to find relief from PPIs.

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture has been used for centuries to heal various ailments. It is done by stimulating focal points on the body through the use of needles. The focal point is determined by the specific ailment of the sufferer. It has been used to treat everything from intestinal problems to fertility issues.

Acupressure is similar to acupuncture in the fact that it uses specific points on the body. It is different, however, because it does not implement the use of needles for treatment. Instead, pressure is placed on the specified focal points to achieve healing and treatment.

Acupuncture for GERD

Because acupuncture aims to heal the entire digestive system, not just GERD, the results are not dependent on the reason that GERD occurs. This means that, whether your GERD is a result of a weakened esophageal sphincter or it is because of excessive stomach acid production, acupuncture may be able to help.

Does it Really Work?

Of course, the real question is, does it work? For individuals that have never participated in holistic, natural or homeopathic healing, making the jump to believe that a few needles in the body could treat a health condition might be pretty challenging. There is, however, some evidence that acupuncture may be beneficial for GERD sufferers.

One study, conducted by the Neuroenteric Clinical Research Group, tested to see if the use of acupuncture was more effective at treating GERD than doubling the dose of PPI inhibitors. Thirty patients who were not receiving relief from a once-a-day PPI dosing participated in the study. Participants were divided into two groups – one group received a second dosing of PPIs and the other group received their once daily dosing along with acupuncture. According to the results of the study, the group that received acupuncture and once daily dosing received more GERD relief than the group that was given a double dose of PPIs.

A recent Australian study also took a look at GERD treatment via the use of acupuncture. In this study, however, there was no comparison made to PPI use. Instead, researchers used a focal point on the wrist to actually induce relaxations of the Lower Esophageal Sphincter, which is the set of muscles that often weakens in GERD. After they induced the relaxations, they used a current to reduce the number of sphincter relaxations. In the study, relaxations of the sphincter were reduced by 40%. This study still needs more evidence to prove its promising results but it does add evidence to the efficacy of acupuncture to treat GERD.

Acupuncture vs. Acupressure

It is not clear whether acupuncture or acupressure is more effective. Personal preference may be a determining factor in which treatment option is best. Those that are nervous about the use of needles may prefer acupressure, but they may or may not find relief.

Should You Use Acupuncture to Treat Your GERD?

Since the evidence is not clear as to whether or not acupuncture is truly effective at treating GERD, it would be more of an experimental option. Be aware, however, that many people have found GERD relief through acupuncture. Just be certain that, if you do choose acupuncture, you see only a licensed professional. If performed incorrectly, acupuncture can be dangerous or harmful.

Overall, as long as you are seeing a licensed professional, the effects of acupuncture are harmless. Even if it does not work, then you lose out on nothing more than some of your time and money. Unlike PPIs, there are no health conditions that can occur, as long as acupuncture is conducted professionally and safely. For those that are not finding relief through the use of PPIs or have been taking PPIs for a long period of time, it may be an alternative to try.

GERD in infants is often misdiagnosed. This is due to, in part, the fact that few people – including doctors – consider the presence of GERD in a baby. It is also due to the fact that the baby cannot articulate where they are hurting or why. It is because of the frequent misdiagnosis that you, as a parent, should be aware of the symptoms of infant GERD as well as the treatment methods that may be used. By doing this, you can help your child manage, heal from or cope with their acid reflux disease.

Symptoms of GERD in Infants

Infants generally cry when they are in pain and this is the most common symptom of GERD. When an infant cries from GERD pain, it is generally sudden and it can closely resemble the cry that an infant might make if they have colic. This is one of the barriers to effective diagnosis of GERD in infants.

Other symptoms can include irritability, trouble sleeping or frequent night time waking, arching of the neck or back during or after feeding, frequent ear infections, wheezing, sinus congestion, excessive drooling, spitting up frequently, vomiting, wet burps, frequent hiccups, anemia, aversion to food, food refusal or small meals, sinus infections, apnea, asthma, pneumonia, intentional gagging with fingers or fist, weight loss, failure to thrive, poor weight gain, frequent red throat without infection, chronic hoarseness, dental erosion and bad breath.

Infants with GERD do not need to display all symptoms to have GERD. One or more symptoms can be an indicator of GERD, particularly if the symptoms persist. If you notice any of these symptoms in your infant and they do not subside within a few days, you should contact your child’s pediatrician.

Lifestyle Changes for Infant GERD

Lifestyle changes are usually the first plan of action when treating an infant with GERD. While some of the natural treatments may seem a little inconvenient, they often lead to a happier baby, which means that you will spend less time consoling a cranky, fussy baby.

Breastfeeding is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics for at least the first six months of life. Breastfeeding is also extremely beneficial for babies with GERD. This is because breast milk is digested faster and easier by babies than formula. If you cannot breastfeed, then you should choose an infant formula that is not milk based. A wide variety of formula options now exist and you should try different formula options until you find one that works best.

You may also find that your baby responds well to thickening of their liquid feedings. This is done by adding a small amount of infant cereal to breast milk or formula. Thickening helps by adding more weight to the liquid feeding, preventing it from sloshing around in the stomach as much and making it harder for it to come back up through the esophagus. It can also add extra calories for babies that are having a hard time gaining weight because of their GERD. Before using this treatment option, however, you should talk to your child’s pediatrician.

Babies with GERD should be propped up for at least 30 minutes after feeding. This will ensure that food has time to digest before you lay them down. This will reduce the severity and occurrence of food regurgitation.

Restrictive clothing and car seats that allow your baby to slouch should be avoided. Restrictive clothing can put unnecessary pressure on the stomach and aggravate GERD. Slouching can also place pressure on the stomach.

You are also likely to find that your baby suffers less if you hold them more often. Studies have shown that infants that are held more often cry less. Less crying means that there is less air in the stomach, which can help to reduce GERD symptoms.

Sleeping positions of infants can also be changed. Infants with GERD often sleep better when they are propped up. They may also enjoy sleeping on their tummies but this sleeping position increases the risk to SIDS. Infants with GERD are already at a higher risk for SIDS. You should talk to your child’s doctor before placing them in any position other than a supine (back) position to sleep.

Infant massage is often soothing for baby and it can help move food through the digestive system. To perform an infant massage, use your hand to gently rub in a clockwise position on their belly. You should not perform this shortly after eating since it may cause reflux.

What is Caffeine?

Caffeine is a naturally occurring substance that can be found in tea leaves, coffee beans and coca. Caffeine is also found in colas, energy drinks and some sports drinks – some of them being a synthetic form of caffeine.

Caffeine is colorless and has a bitter taste. Caffeine contains no calories but it works as a stimulant on the body. It can cause rapid heartbeat, restlessness, anxiety, excessive urination, vomiting, sleeplessness, nausea, tremors and depression. It can also aggravate GERD.

Caffeinated Beverages and GERD

Caffeinated beverages, like coffee and tea, actually affect GERD in two ways. First, it can weaken the esophageal sphincter. This can last up to 90 minutes after consumption and the effect is almost immediate. The weakening of the sphincter can worsen GERD symptoms.

Caffeine can also stimulate acid secretion in the stomach. This can last up to several hours after consumption. Increased stomach acid leads to worsening GERD symptoms.

The amount of caffeine may also have an impact to how severe GERD symptoms are after drinking a caffeinated beverage. According to Mayo Clinic, the amount of caffeine found in a beverage is greatly determined by the way that the drink is prepared. Instant coffees and teas often have less caffeine than brewed coffees and teas.

Decaffeinated Coffee and Tea

For some individuals, limited amounts of decaffeinated coffee or tea may be okay. It is important, however, to remember that both contain small amounts of caffeine and acid secretion may still occur, even with decaffeinated coffee or teas. You should carefully monitor your symptoms to determine if the consumption of decaffeinated coffees and teas are safe for you.

Herbal Teas

Herbal teas are not actually produced from tea leaves. They are actually produced from herbs and roots. Therefore, they do not contain caffeine. In some cases, herbal teas, like chamomile or ginger tea, may be soothing to GERD sufferers. Just be careful to avoid peppermint teas because peppermint is considered a trigger for GERD.

Removing Caffeine from Your Diet

Removing caffeine from your diet can be an effective way of helping you reduce your GERD symptoms. However, because caffeine can create a dependency, it can be difficult to stop using caffeine on a daily basis, especially if you are used to consuming caffeine in large quantities throughout the day.

Caffeine withdrawals can occur from sudden cessation of caffeine. This can include headaches, irritability, fatigue, vomiting, nausea and other symptoms. To avoid withdrawal symptoms, you should gradually decrease your caffeine consumption each day or as you can handle it. This can be difficult to implement but there are a few techniques that others have found helpful.

One technique is to keep a chart of your caffeine intake each day. Take note of how many milligrams of caffeine is found in the beverage of your choice. Write down how many milligrams you intake each day and check to ensure that your consumption is decreasing consistently.

Another tip is to allot a predetermined amount of caffeine until it is non-existent. You may want to have a friend or family member hold you accountable so that you don’t allot yourself more caffeine than you should be using. Even with this technique, you may find it very beneficial to use some sort of caffeine recording system to help you stay on track.

Other Sources of Caffeine

Caffeine can come from sources other than coffee or tea. Sources like chocolate, headache pills and cough syrups or cold medicines are often overlooked sources of caffeine. Before you purchase any of these items, be sure to check the label for caffeine. This will help you avoid adding extra caffeine into your diet.

Caffeine Not the Only Culprit

While caffeine can play a big part in GERD symptoms, it is not the only factor. GERD can be caused by many different factors and you should talk to your doctor about your lifestyle and your condition so that the two of you can develop an effective treatment plan.

You should also see your doctor on a regular basis or if you do not see any improvement in your GERD symptoms. Regular visits can help to ensure that your GERD stays under control and a visit to your doctor if symptoms persist can ensure that your treatment plan is changed before symptoms and your condition worsen. Medication or surgery may be needed along with diet and lifestyle changes.

When most people get a cough, they assume that it is caused by a cold or some other virus. For smokers, they may just assume that the cough is due to their smoking habits. In a way, this is true but it is not the complete answer. GERD can and does cause coughing, often chronically.

Wheezing or other asthma-like symptoms may also be present with a GERD cough, further confusing the sufferer. They may mistake the cough for an upper respiratory infection or even the development of asthma.

How GERD Causes Coughing

It may seem a little confusing that GERD and cough are associated together but once you understand how GERD works, it makes a little more sense. GERD is a condition in which stomach acid is allowed to re-enter the esophagus, either because of a weak valve between the stomach and esophagus or by excessive stomach acid production.

When the acid re-enters the esophagus, it can irritate nerves in the esophagus, causing nerve stimulation. The stimulation triggers the coughing. In many GERD cough cases, there is just enough stomach acid being sent back through the esophagus to trigger a cough but not enough to cause heartburn. In some severe cases, stomach acid production can be so excessive that stomach acid is allowed to enter the lungs. Still, in other cases, no stomach acid is present, only stomach bile, which is less irritating to the esophagus but still irritating enough to cause a cough.

Difficulty Diagnosing

Because cough is such a common symptom in so many different health conditions, even your doctor may have a difficult time diagnosing a GERD cough. This can be especially true if cough is the only symptom you are experiencing. There are, however, a few considerations that can help you and your doctor to pinpoint whether or not your cough is a symptom of GERD or some other health condition.

Is Your Cough a GERD Cough?

If you have a GERD cough, you may notice that your cough is triggered after eating certain foods or if you eat too much or lay down shortly after meals. You will also notice that cough suppressants and cold medicines are not effective at treating your cough. Cough drops are also ineffective at treating your symptoms.

If you suspect that you have a GERD cough, try taking an over-the-counter antacid after the cough starts. If this seems to reduce the symptoms, even if only for a short period of time, it is likely that your cough is a symptom of GERD. Just make sure that you tell your doctor what types of home treatments you have used and which ones worked and which ones didn’t so that they can accurately diagnose your condition.

Why is a Diagnosis Important?

Often people wonder why a diagnosis is important, especially for a condition as simple as a GERD cough. While diet, exercise, lifestyle changes and weight loss can help to reduce or even eliminate GERD, diagnosis should still be a priority. This is because, should your symptoms return or should your natural efforts be futile your doctor will need to know your diagnosis so that they know what treatment methods to use next. Additionally, other severe health conditions can cause chronic cough. If your cough is not caused by GERD, then you and your doctor need to know the real source.

Treatment Options for GERD Cough

If it is determined that your cough, is in fact, a result of GERD, you and your doctor can come up with a treatment plan. Your lifestyle, diet and overall health will be taken into account when deciding which treatment options are best for you.

Some of the most common treatment options include diet changes, lifestyle changes, regular exercise and weight loss. These are often effective at treating GERD in most sufferers, but sometimes, they are not enough. Medication or surgical procedures may be needed to ensure effective treatment for your condition.

Why Treatment is Important?

You may feel that a chronic cough isn’t that big of a deal – that you can live with it and you don’t need treatment for your GERD cough. Nothing could be further from the truth, however. GERD, if left untreated, can cause long-term health complications, including chronic inflammation of the esophagus, ulcers and even difficulty swallowing.

Treating your GERD effectively can help you avoid long-term health complications. It can also rid you of your current symptoms, before they get worse. If you suspect that you have a GERD cough, you should talk to your doctor about your symptoms and treatment options.

GERD, unlike the occasional case of heartburn, happens frequently. For many sufferers, GERD happens on a daily basis. It can become extremely painful, and over time, GERD can cause other health complications like ulcers. This makes treating your condition essential but before you can start to treat it, you must understand how and why it happens.

Normal Digestion

In the normal digestion process, food travels down the esophagus to the stomach. To help break down the food, stomach acid is produced. The acid in the stomach breaks food down over time, preparing it for its trip into the small intestine. To keep food inside of the stomach while it is digesting, there is a small muscle, which works like a valve, on the top of the stomach, otherwise known as the esophageal sphincter.

When Normal Digestion Goes Wrong?

Several things can go wrong during digestion but in GERD, the problem is often caused by a weakened esophageal sphincter. A weak esophageal sphincter will allow stomach acid and food back into the esophagus. This can cause irritation of the esophagus, result in heartburn and lead to a wide array of other GERD symptoms.

Sometimes the stomach can produce excess stomach acid. This can further compound the problem, making GERD symptoms worse. This part of GERD can often be controlled by learning how to cure GERD naturally.

Diagnosis is Needed

Before you attempt to cure GERD naturally, you need to understand the importance of a proper diagnosis. GERD symptoms can closely resemble other, more serious healthy complications. Because curing GERD naturally is mostly done by diet, you should also talk to your doctor about your overall health, especially if you have certain health conditions.

GERD and Your Lifestyle

Certain lifestyle habits can create or aggravate GERD symptoms. Some of the most common include tobacco and alcohol use, eating too large of a meal, and lying down shortly after eating. These are lifestyle changes, some of which are relatively simple, that can make a big difference in how often or severe your GERD symptoms are.

Curing GERD with the Right Diet

Certain foods can trigger the production of excess stomach acid. Some of the most common foods on this list include tomatoes, tomato products, fatty foods and foods with a lot of spices or extra flavorings. This is not the case for all people, however. Some people experience GERD no matter what they eat. This can make treating GERD naturally a little more difficult but it may still be possible by using some natural GERD remedies.

Natural GERD Remedies

When diet alone fails to alleviate symptoms, many GERD sufferers turn to natural or herbal remedies. This doesn’t work for everyone, but for some, natural remedies provide relief from pain and GERD symptoms.

Fennel seeds can be used to create infusions or tinctures, both of which are said to be an effective means of treating cramps often associated with GERD. Fennel seeds can also be combined with American cranesbill to reduce stomach acids. High doses of fennel seeds can be dangerous to women who are pregnant. You should talk to your doctor if you are pregnant before using fennel seeds to treat GERD symptoms.

German chamomile is well known for its ability to calm the digestive system and reduce digestive tract inflammation. It is best used by creating or purchasing infusions.

Aerial portions of peppermint can help stimulate bile flow and settle nervous stomach. You can use this treatment by creating an infusion. Peppermint can also trigger excess stomach acid production so you should be cautious when using this type of natural GERD treatment. You should also be aware, if you are breastfeeding, that peppermint can reduce milk production.

Lemon balm is said to have relaxing and sedative qualities. It can be used as an infusion or a tincture. You can also infuse it with chamomile or meadowsweet to help with inflammation.

Meadowsweet has a cooling and soothing effect. This can provide relief from inflammation and help reduce acid produced by the stomach. You may also find relief from heartburn by creating a meadowsweet tea.

Not all herbal or natural remedies are right for everyone. Certain health conditions may make the use of certain herbal or natural remedies unsafe. Before you take any natural remedies, you should first talk to your doctor, especially if you have certain health conditions, including pregnancy diabetes.

If your doctor permits you to use natural remedies to treat your GERD symptoms, make sure you discuss the proper way to use these remedies as well as how much you should use them. Even herbal or natural remedies can be used in excess, and if they are not working, your doctor will probably want to see you to discuss other options.