Acid reflux and heartburn can be quite uncomfortable. It also happens to be one of the most common ailments plaguing our lives right after the common cold. In a study, it has been found that 7% of American suffer from heartburn every day. Also, 14-20% of Americans have some form of acid reflux. If you want to reduce your heartburn and acidity, here are a few tips and tricks that you can follow at home to help relieve these ailments.
Stop Overeating
Overeating leads to acidity most of the time. However, it is easier said than done. Most of the time we eat mindlessly which leads to eating more than we can digest. When the acidic contents of the stomach go up into the esophagus, it is called acid reflux. However, it only happens because acid reflux weakens the muscles near the base of the esophagus that opens up naturally when we swallow, vomit, or belch. It is best to have small meals at regular intervals and also eat slowly so that you know when you are full. Remember watching TV or a movie doesn’t help in this regard since we tend to eat more when we have our concentration elsewhere.
Lessen Your Caffeine Intake
Are you one of those who can’t stay upright without coffee in the morning and throughout the day as well? Better get rid of those habits because it has been found that too much caffeine messes with your digestive juices and can cause acidity, too. In a study, it was found that caffeine weakens the lower esophageal sphincter which leads to acid reflux. However, there have been several studies, and it can’t be concluded if caffeine can be the villain behind this. It is best to trust your instincts and stop having too much of it if you experience heartburn every time you have a cup.
Chew Gum
Chewing gum has been found to have reduced acid. Since most gums contain bicarbonate, it works well for the reflux. Also, since chewing gum produces a lot of saliva, that probably helps in clearing up the acidity. Next time you feel the acidity forming, go get some gum and start chewing on it.
Elevate Your Head
If you happen to experience reflux during the night, then there is an easy way to get some relief right away. Elevating the head a bit helps in giving some relief for heartburn or stomach pain due to acidity. If you do not have an extra pillow, elevating the head of the bed helps a lot, too. It reduces the symptoms and helps you sleep better at night.
Avoid Aerated Drinks
Carbonated drinks only make it worse for our stomach, and yet we tend to have them all the time with our meals. It has been found that these drinks weaken the muscles of the esophageal sphincter. This, in turn, affects the amount of acid that gets into it. Also, the carbon dioxide from these drinks makes us belch more and thus opens up the tube to enable the entry of acid in the throat. Additionally, excessive sugar can’t do any good for anyone at all.
Chew On Fennel Seeds
It has been found that fennel seeds contain something called anethole that soothes the stomach. It reduces flatulence and helps digest food, too. It has anti-ulcer properties that help cool down the lining of the stomach. Since it is a herb, it is perfectly safe for pregnant women to have them, especially since acidity and flatulence never seem to go away for them. It also works for those who are constipated. Soaking them overnight and drinking the water in the morning by draining it helps a lot, too.
Finally, the golden rule for any kind of illness is to drink lots of water. Mind you, no aerated drinks — just plain old water does the trick for you. So don’t forget to drink water every now and then. It is best to take precaution from before and avoid situations where you might trigger it. Take care of your stomach so that when you age, you have a good digestive system.
