Gerd acid reflux, known medically as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or GERD, is a condition in the body where stomach acids and fluids flow up into the esophagus causing the lining of the esophagus to become inflamed and eventually damaged.
Pepsin and acid is manufactured within the stomach, along with bile, which can back up into the stomach from the duodendum. The stomach can manage these harsh fluids due to having a special protective coating. However, the esophagus has no such protective coating and the soft tissues lining the it can become inflamed when stomach acids from the stomach irritate the lining of the throat.
So what is gerd? Gerd is most often caused by bad dietary choices, such as:
In answering what is gerd, the most common causes of gerd acid reflux include:
Smoking
Alcohol
Drinking lots of carbonated beverages, such as soda
Eating large meals
Stress
Eating a lot of greasy, fried or fatty foods
Certain antidepressants and sedatives, prescription medications in general.
Certain diseases, such as hiatal hernias and scleroderma that cause the esophageal muscle to malfunction
Being overweight
Certain food combinations
Having a drink with a meal
Eating too many acidic foods
A diet lacking in digestive enzymes
With the influence of these above factors, gerd acid reflux can form. In its most serious form, gerd acid reflux can lead to serious complications, including:
Ulcers
Inflammation of the throat, larynx, and even the lungs
Scarring of the esophagus
Throat cancer
Most commonly people suffering from gerd acid reflux will cope with the condition by turning to over the counter antacid medications, such as antacid tablets. But these can lead to more serious complications in the long run. For example, antacids contain aluminum which can encourage constipation. Many antacids also contain magnesium that can have a laxative effect, causing the individual to suffer from diarrhea.
Many people also turn to something known as histamine antagonists in trying to cope with gerd acid reflux symptoms. However, histamine antagonists have several troubling side effects, including insomnia, nausea, vomiting, headache and even impotence! There have even been reported cases of hallucinations and confusion from taking these medications. So the bottom line is that many of the so-called conventional treatments for acid reflux may be actually making you sick!
What is gerd and are there any natural treatments to manage acid reflux?
Many people are opting for natural ways to treat their symptoms of gerd acid reflux, without having to resort to harsh medications or undergoing dangerous surgery. Here are some of the most widely used natural treatment approaches to acid reflux that have been very successful for many individuals:
Apple Cider Vinegar
What is gerd? It’s a condition of over-acidity within the stomach. So it seems counter-intuitive to ingest an acidic liquid to cure an acidic-based problem, but the acids in apple cider vinegar are actually very beneficial in balancing the body toward a more alkaline state. This is believed to help relieve or eliminate entirely the symptoms of acid reflux. Here’s how to use apple cider vinegar to relieve gerd or acid reflux:
Add 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar to approximately 4 to 5 ounces of water.
Sip this water while you are having your evening meal.
Fennel Seeds
Fennel seed is famous for its ability to relieve digestive issues and is very useful in treating the symptoms of gerd acid reflux. Anethole is a natural substance contained within fennel seed which helps to calm muscle spasms within the stomach and entire gastrointestinal tract. Here’s how to take fennel seed for acid reflux:
Simply thoroughly and slowly chew on a ½ teaspoon of fennel seeds after each meal.
Ginger Root
Ginger is probably the most effective herb for stomach problems known in all herbal studies. Ginger root is renowned for its ability to absorb excess stomach acids and also for being able to quickly calm and sooth the nervous system, thereby helping to alleviate muscle spasms. For an effective remedy against gerd acid reflux, try the following:
Purchase ginger root capsules from a natural foods store or the nutritional supplement aisle of a supermarket
Take one capsule immediately after dinner. Repeat this consistently throughout the week until symptoms subsides.
Papaya
Papaya contains a powerful protein-dissolving enzyme known as papain. Supplementing your diet with papaya enzyme can help you digest your food much more effectively leading to fewer reflux related issues. You can eat papaya fruit to gain this enzyme or there are papaya tablets available in the health food section of the supermarket. Simply chew a couple papaya tablets with your main meal of the day to help with gerd or acid reflux symptoms.
Slippery Elm Powder
Slippery elm will coat the lining of the stomach, adding a soothing and healing layer to provide quick relief from acid indigestion. Slippery elm will also neutralize excess stomach acids and help soothe and relieve irritation within the stomach lining. Slippery Elm can be taken as a tea or in capsule form. When taking slippery elm, it’s best to avoid taking any prescription medications as slippery elm can actually absorb medications. Therefore, take any prescription medications separately.
A Natural Herbal Tea Remedy for Gerd or Acid Reflux:
You can make a natural remedy tea from both lavender and anise. Here’s how to make it:
Blend equal parts of anise seed and lavender together
Boil 2 ½ cups distilled water
Pour the boiling water over the lavender-anise seed mixture
Let tea steep for 3 to 5 minutes
Strain out the anise seed and lavender and add some honey or maple syrup as a sweetener
Drink 8 ounces of this tea in the a.m. and 8 more ounces in the evening to relieve acid indigestion or heartburn.