Did you know that when you always eat large, greasy meals and pair them with fatty desserts, you could actually get gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or acid reflux? Yes, you could! You see, this happens when the esophagus is repeatedly assaulted by stomach acids and partially undigested foods which have escaped your lower esophageal sphincter or LES. The LES is supposed to keep the food in your stomach, but when it can't, you may feel a burning sensation which can stretch from your chest area up to your throat. This is often called heartburn, but repeated heartburn may already be acid reflux.
The most effective natural cures for acid reflux are simply focused on treating your LES and your whole esophagus. Leaving it untreated may cause the cells in your esophagus to erode. The erosion will not only cause acid reflux but cancer too. Since no one wants to get GERD neither cancer, it is important to know how to treat the condition as early as possible.
Now, the first step included in the natural cures for acid reflux is by eating small meals and snacks every day. It may be as many as five or six as long as you keep the amounts in moderation. When you eat this way, you reduce the pressure on your stomach and LES.
Secondly, you must take in more complex carbohydrates and less fat. Fats are the culprits of slow digestion and they cause the LES to relax which in turn allows acid to enter the esophagus.
The third on the list of natural cures for acid reflux is eliminating the common trigger foods which increase acid production. Pass on carbonated beverages, alcohol, tea, coffee, garlic, orange juice, and hot spices for the time being. They irritate the lining of your stomach and weaken your LES. You must also avoid milk. This may come as a surprise because generally, milk helps in relieving burning pains in your tummy, right? But it actually has the capacity to produce a rebound effect. In the end, you may be encouraging increased acid production in your stomach. This contradicts the fast healing of your esophagus.
Lastly, sleeping well is an important item in the natural cures for acid reflux. Do not forget to elevate your head at about 45-degree angle. You may use several pillows to do this, or if the head of your bed can be raised, raise it to about six inches. This allows the gravity to keep the acids in your tummy stable. This encourages your LES to strengthen and heal too.
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