Stomach acid, namely hydrochloric acid, plays a role in helping to digest food so that the body can obtain various important nutrients needed for normal functioning. In acid reflux disease, stomach acid can cause damage to the esophagus in the form of irritation, inflammation, and pain. If you have acid reflux disease, it's a good idea to focus on long-term treatment to give your esophagus enough time to heal. Medications that are effective against acid reflux conditions can also help the healing process.
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Part 1 of 4: Changing Your Lifestyle
Step 1. Eat the right food at the right time
Fatty foods, fried foods, tomatoes, caffeinated drinks (such as coffee, tea, and soda), and alcoholic beverages increase stomach acid levels. Do not consume these foods and drinks so that the esophagus heals.
- Apart from that, there are also other taboos. People with acid reflux disease should not consume dairy products, such as whole milk, cheese, butter, and sour cream. Foods containing peppermint or spearmint should also not be consumed. There are several types of fruit that should not be consumed, such as oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit, and pineapple.
- If you eat one of these foods, reduce the acidity of the food by drinking lots of water and eating foods that are safe for patients with acid reflux disease.
Step 2. Eat smaller meals and more often
Eat small meals, 5-7 times a day and don't eat anything within 2-3 hours before going to bed. If the stomach is filled with too much food, the esophageal sphincter of the stomach relaxes so that hydrochloric acid rises up into the esophagus. In other words, the signs you're eating too much occur in your esophagus. Eat food in smaller portions and more often to prevent this condition.
Most people often experience this problem when eating in restaurants. If eating at home, this problem is rare. However, when eating in a restaurant, people are often tempted to finish all the food ordered, which is often served in large portions. To solve this problem, at the beginning of your order, ask the waiter to wrap half the portion of your food order to take home and eat later
Step 3. Include healthy foods in your daily meal plan
Some types of foods that should be eaten every day to treat acid reflux disease include:
- Oatmeal. Oatmeal fills the stomach without triggering acid reflux. Oatmeal also absorbs the acids contained in fruits that you add in small amounts. Oatmeal is very effective in reducing stomach acidity.
- Ginger. Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties that are effective for treating various stomach and intestinal disorders. Peel or slice the ginger root and use it to cook your favorite dish.
- Green leafy vegetables. Green leafy vegetables are very low in calories and contain absolutely no saturated fat. Green leafy vegetables are the most recommended foods for people with acid reflux disease. However, don't eat green leafy vegetables with tomatoes, onions, cheese, and salad dressings that contain fat. Eat asparagus, cauliflower, parsley, and other leafy greens.
- White meat. Red meat, such as steak and beef, is difficult to digest. Therefore, eat chicken and turkey. Chicken can be cooked into a delicious soup. However, chicken skin has a high fat content. So, when cooking chicken, do not include the skin. Eat poached or grilled poultry; not fried.
- Seafood. Just like poultry, fish, shrimp, and other seafood can also be consumed to prevent acid reflux disease. However, don't eat fried seafood. Seafood is easy to digest and very low in fat so it helps prevent acid reflux disease as well as pyrosis / heartburn.
Step 4. Drink lots of water
Drink 2-3 liters of water every day to prevent dehydration and help reduce the acidity of the stomach and intestines. In addition, this method is also effective for maintaining healthy hair, skin, nails, and organs.
Step 5. Take care of your health and fitness
Obesity or being overweight is one of the main risk factors for acid reflux disease. Start adopting a healthy diet and stick to an exercise plan that focuses on simple exercises that are effective at burning calories. A 30-minute walk in the park can burn 100 calories. Going on a diet doesn't mean you have to starve yourself. Get more exercise, eat smaller meals every day, and eat more healthy, low-calorie foods. You don't have to starve.
- Adopting a healthy lifestyle can overcome and prevent heart disease, diabetes, and a number of other health problems. Take up hobbies like dancing, horse riding, or playing golf. Burning calories by doing favorite activities is fun. As you get stronger, gradually increase physical activity.
- Calculate your body mass index and start losing weight. A normal body mass index (BMI) is 18.5-24.9. BMI helps to know whether your weight is normal or not. Calculate your BMI manually by dividing your weight (in kilograms) by your height (in square meters) or use a calculator or online guide.
- Calculate the number of daily calories you need and record all the foods you eat. 3,500 calories equals 0.5 kg. So, if you're planning to lose 5 pounds per week, reduce the number of daily calories you need by 500 calories.
Step 6. Quit smoking and drink alcohol.
Smoking causes the lining of the esophagus to become irritated, increasing inflammation and pain. If you can't stop smoking right away, gradually reduce smoking. If improving and maintaining your overall health isn't a strong enough motivation for you to quit smoking, do it so you don't experience acid reflux every day.
Consuming beer and other carbonated drinks can also damage the walls of the esophagus and stomach. It is better if the habit of smoking and consuming alcoholic or carbonated drinks is eliminated altogether
Step 7. Elevate the head of the bed while you sleep
Elevate the head of the bed, to about 15-20 cm, with a pillow. Relieve symptoms of acid reflux disease by supporting your upper body while lying down. This position prevents acid or other stomach contents from rising into the esophagus during sleep.
In addition, get enough sleep. Adequate rest and sleep allows the body to relax and repair damaged tissues and muscles. The body repairs tissues and muscles when you rest or sleep. Adequate sleep is usually for 7-8 hours per day
Part 2 of 4: Using Home Remedies
Step 1. Eat apple cider vinegar
Although it may seem contradictory because acidic foods are generally taboo for people with acid reflux disease, the acetic acid in apple cider vinegar has a much lower acidity than hydrochloric acid (stomach acid). Consuming this type of acid tends to reduce the acidity of stomach acid.
- Apple cider vinegar is sold in convenience stores and supermarkets. Mix 1-2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in 240 ml of water. Add 1 tsp honey to make it more delicious. Drink this solution before eating.
- Apple cider vinegar is also suitable as a salad dressing, especially vegetable salads.
Step 2. Drink the baking soda solution
Mix tsp of baking soda into 240 ml of water. Baking soda solution is a natural antacid because baking soda is alkaline so it helps neutralize stomach acid.
However, be careful using this method because baking soda has a high sodium content. Consuming too much sodium is not good for health, especially if you have acid reflux disease
Step 3. Drink aloe vera juice
Aloe vera leaves and gel can be used as juice. Aloe vera contains glycoproteins, which are very effective in relieving esophageal irritation, and polysaccharides, which can help repair tissues. Aloe vera is one of the medicinal plants that are declared safe by the FDA.
- Drink aloe vera juice as much as 60-90 ml on an empty stomach or 20 minutes before eating to treat acid reflux.
- Be careful not to consume too much aloe vera juice because it is a laxative.
Step 4. Drink ginger tea with honey
Ginger has natural anti-inflammatory properties. Honey can prevent inflammation of the esophagus. Make ginger tea by mixing 2-4 g of ground ginger in hot water. Ginger tea can also be made by chopping and boiling medium-sized ginger. Add 1 tsp honey or according to taste to make it more delicious.
Allow the tea to cool enough so it doesn't hurt your esophagus when you drink it
Step 5. Chew sugar-free gum
For 30 minutes after eating, chew sugar-free gum to increase saliva production and help neutralize stomach acid. In addition, increased saliva production further also helps the excretion of acids in the intestines.
Step 6. Consume liquorice
For centuries, liquorice has been used as a medicine as well as a food ingredient. Chew a glycyrrhizin-free licorice tablet 15 minutes before meals to prevent acid reflux and protect the lining of the stomach and esophagus.
Licorice root can maintain the health of small intestinal cells and increase the number of mucus-producing cells in the stomach. In addition, liquorice also improves blood circulation in the stomach and intestines
Part 3 of 4: Using Medical Treatment
Step 1. Take antacids
Antacids are effective in neutralizing stomach acid. In addition, antacids also increase the secretion of mucus and bicarbonate thereby reducing the level of gastric acidity. Examples of well-known antacid brands include “Tums” and “Gaviscon”.
Taking antacids is only a temporary method, not a long-term acid reflux treatment. Although antacids are effective in treating emergencies, it's a good idea to use other methods as long-term treatment
Step 2. Talk to your doctor about using H2 receptor antagonist drugs
This drug blocks histamine at the H2 receptor thereby reducing gastric acid production. This medicine prevents the formation of new stomach acid so that the stomach and esophagus have time to heal and the symptoms of acid reflux no longer occur. Examples of H2 receptor antagonist drugs include "Zantac", "Tagamet", and "Pepcid".
- Famotidine (“Pepcid”) is sold in doses of 20 mg and 40 mg. A dose of 20 mg can be taken twice per day for six weeks.
- Nizatidine (“Axid”) is sold in 150 mg and 300 mg doses. A dose of 150 mg can be taken twice per day.
- Ranitidine (“Zantac”) is sold in 150 mg and 300 mg doses. A dose of 150 mg can be taken twice per day.
Step 3. Talk to your doctor about using proton pump inhibitors
This drug inhibits gastric acid-producing enzymes so that gastric acid production is reduced. Examples of proton pump inhibitors include omeprazole, lansoprazole, and pantoprazole.
- Lansoprazole (“Prevacid”) is sold in 15 mg and 30 mg doses and can be purchased without a prescription. The 15 mg dose can be taken once per day for eight weeks.
- Esomeprazole (“Nexium”) and pantoprazole (“Protonix”) can only be purchased with a prescription. The dose and duration of drug consumption is determined by the doctor according to the patient's condition.
- Omeprazole (“Prilosec”) is sold in 10 mg, 20 mg, and 40 mg doses and can be purchased without a prescription. A dose of 20 mg can be taken once per day for four weeks.
Step 4. Talk to your doctor about using prokinetic drugs
This drug speeds up gastric emptying. This medicine can only be purchased with a doctor's prescription and must be taken according to the doctor's instructions. Examples of prokinetic drugs include:
- Bethanechol (“Urecholine”)
- Domperidone (“Motilium”)
- Metoclopramide (“Reglan”)
Step 5. Undergo surgery
Surgical methods are used if acid reflux disease cannot be cured with medication. In addition, this method is also recommended for people with severe acid reflux disease. Surgery is the only method that treats the cause of acid reflux, instead of just relieving the symptoms. Even though lifestyle changes and medical treatment can help, acid reflux disease often recurs once both are stopped. Therefore, many patients choose the surgical method. Nissen Fundoplication is a minimally surgical operation that can cure acid reflux disease. In this operation, the doctor wraps a portion of the gastric fundus around the esophageal sphincter.
There are new surgical methods that do not require incisions. This method is done by mouth with the same results as regular surgery. The recovery period of patients operated on by this method is also shorter
Step 6. Talk to your doctor about other, more intense methods
If acid reflux disease has severely damaged the esophagus to the point of causing conditions such as erosive esophagitis, Barrett's Esophagus, or esophageal cancer, the method of treatment your doctor recommends depends on the severity of the condition. An endoscopic procedure may be performed to check for esophageal damage. Depending on the severity, the doctor may recommend monitoring the condition, a biopsy procedure to detect cancer cells, or the use of medical drugs.
If the doctor detects the presence of cancer or another severe condition, surgical methods, such as radiofrequency ablation, may be necessary
Part 4 of 4: Studying Acid Reflux Disease
Step 1. Learn about acid reflux disease
Acid reflux disease (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disorder [GERD]) is a condition that causes the contents of the stomach and small intestine to back up into the esophagus. Stomach acid backing up into the esophagus causes a painful burning sensation and, sometimes, erosion of the tissue in the esophagus. Approximately 25-35% of Americans suffer from acid reflux disease. In some cases, this disease causes quite severe pain.
- Pain from acid reflux varies, from just a mild burning sensation to severe chest pain similar to a heart attack.
- Pain that occurs in acid reflux disease is caused by gastric juices, which are very acidic. In acid reflux disease, gastric juices rise up into the esophagus, an organ that should not be in contact with the fluid.
Step 2. Learn the causes of acid reflux disease
Acid reflux can result from a loose lower esophageal sphincter. In addition, the force of gravity can also cause acid reflux if you lie down right after eating. Eating too much, which puts great pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter, can also trigger acid reflux.
Various other things, such as smoking, obesity, high sodium consumption, low dietary fiber consumption, infrequent exercise, and consumption of certain drugs, can also cause acid reflux
Step 3. Be aware of other diseases and conditions
Various diseases and conditions can cause or are caused by acid reflux. One of the diseases that can cause acid reflux is a hiatal hernia, which is the shift of the upper part of the stomach into the chest cavity due to a perforated diaphragm. In addition, acid reflux can also occur during pregnancy.
- Acid reflux can cause other ailments, for example Barrett's Esophagus.
- Consult your doctor if you suspect that your acid reflux is causing or is being caused by another disease.
