Remedy for Acid Reflux

I am one of those persons who hates taking medications for my ailments.

I like many when we lay down at night tend to get a little Acid Reflux in our throats. Even modifying my diet didn't seem to remedy the situation.

I was speaking to my Naturalpathic Doctor and she suggested something she said works well for a number of her clients.

She said when people lay down they tend to just prop their head with a pillow this does not allow the lower esophageal sphincter to close properly. She suggested to place the pillow just under the shoulders when laying on your back. (I don't have the problem when on my side). So as I laid down on my back pillow only supporting my head up came the acid reflux. I quickly scooted up so the pillow was under the top part of my shoulders and instantly the reflux stopped. It seems this pillow position helps the lower esophageal sphincter to close all the way and she said in some clients it helped them not to snore as well.

I no longer need to take Zantac or other natural antiacid treatments.

A ghost pepper whole just before bed helps too. I only get it when I eat late at night so that is there too.

a reply to: ChesterJohn

Stay away from political forums.....

Bicarbonate of soda.

Ive been using it for years.
Borwicks is best.

Ive tried gaviscon when my mrs was pregnant
it was only a short fix.

a reply to: ChesterJohn

cannabis - it cures EVERYTHING* .

* except terminal sarcasm

A spoonful of sodium bicarbonate in a half glass of water. Chug it down. A minute or so later you'll rip a burp and your stomach will be at ease.

a reply to: Ismynameimportant

Baking Soda is one of the natural ways but even then I would be refluxing baking soda.

TUMS work as well as anything over-the-counter.
I was involved with a creative session with one of the pharmaceutical companies that produce a well-known acid reflux product.
Corporate secret: their advertising people all know Tums does exactly the same thing as their product...at a fraction of the cost.

a reply to: ChesterJohn

Have you read of Barrets disease.

Barrett's esophagus is a serious complication of GERD, which stands for gastroesophageal reflux disease. In Barrett's esophagus, normal tissue lining the esophagus -- the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach -- changes to tissue that resembles the lining of the intestine

a reply to: skunkape23

Acid reflux is not caused by acidic foods it is caused by a physical condition that does not allow the lower esophageal sphincter to close properly.

a reply to: IAMTAT

yeah they work but you don't want to have to take them for years and years.

originally posted by: Ismynameimportant
Bicarbonate of soda.

Ive been using it for years.
Borwicks is best.

Ive tried gaviscon when my mrs was pregnant
it was only a short fix.

Yeppers.
Baking soda.
I use a teaspoonful in a drinking glass full of water, then BUUUUUUUURP! Heartburn is gone.

Could be a stomach ulcer

a reply to: Ismynameimportant

It has already been determined I don't suffer from GERD's. I have a friend who does and even with the pillow adjustment he still need to take medications.

a reply to: woodwardjnr

nope no ulcer. I can eat Habenaro Chilies no problem

a reply to: ChesterJohn

again this issue is not about heartburn a much as it is the position of the body that allows the closing of the lower esophageal sphincter. If it closed properly it wont develop into GERD's

Cook with natural fats (butter, lard, etc.) instead of margarine. My Mother had stomach reduction surgery and was told by her doctor to do this. She lived with me at the time and did the cooking. Before she changed, I used to eat Pepcids like they were candy.

originally posted by: JIMC5499
Cook with natural fats (butter, lard, etc.) instead of margarine. My Mother had stomach reduction surgery and was told by her doctor to do this. She lived with me at the time and did the cooking. Before she changed, I used to eat Pepcids like they were candy.

we are butter cookers too. Definitely don't cook with Soybean, Corn or Safflower oil as recent studies show they create toxins. Canola or Coconut seems to be the oils of choice today.

Place two 8 inch by 6 inch by 6 inch wooden blocks under the headboard posts. This will elevate your head enough to keep the stomach acid from rising. A doctor told me to do this and it eliminated my reflux. YMMV...

The problem with acid reflux is if you have been having it for a while the acid damages the lower esophageal sphincter which usually keeps the acid from leaking upwards from the stomach. so short term temporary remedies never cure the problem long term.

What you need is a course of strong proton pump inhibitors to reduce the overall amount of stomach acid for up to a month so the lower esophageal sphincter has time to heal. You also have to alter your diet during this time to help things along. A lot of people start taking them and after 1 week think they are cured and start eating all the wrong foods again and stop the healing process. Also a lot of people refuse to give up smoking during the course which will increase acid and get in the way of the healing.

You can only take these meds for 1 month because after that the stomach will start to compensate and produce even more acid. This is why sporadically taking weaker ant-acids or baking soda never work long term either. They don't reduce acid enough for 24hrs to allow the healing.