Chronic symptoms of heartburn need consultation with a physician to rule out the cause of acid reflux. Peptic ulcers, hiatus hernia, gastritis, sphincter defect of esophagus are some conditions mimicking GERD symptoms. Smoking, alcohol and pregnancy are some risk factors causing symptoms of acid reflux disease.

What is Acid Reflux Disease?
Acid Reflux disease also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition where the gastric acid flows back into the esophagus causing a burning sensation and discomfort behind the breastbone.

Lifestyle Changes as a Natural Remedies for Acid Reflux Disease

• Avoid over-eating and late-night snacking
• Maintain upright position after meals
• Smaller meals help easy digestion, eating at least 3 hours before bedtime is advisable
• Quit tobacco and smoking
• Weight reduction can aid in releasing the pressure on stomach that causes the liquid to reflux into esophagus
• Wear proper fitting or loose clothes, avoid waist bands that would exert force on the abdomen thus causing acid reflux
• Adequate sleep is necessary for proper digestion and relaxation
• Tilted sleeping position where the upper half of the body is elevated reduces the risks of reflux. Lying on the left side helps digestion
• Stress affects digestion of food causing acid reflux. Regular yoga, meditation and exercise helps to be stress-free
• Medications could be a possible cause of heartburn and need to be stopped or complemented with other drugs or alternative therapies to curb its harmful effects

Acid Reflux – Foods to Avoid
Coffee, alcohol, spicy food, chocolate, peppermint and fatty foods tend to aggravate symptoms. Carbonated drinks, tomato sauce and fried foods increase acid secretion. Citrus fruits like lemon, oranges and pineapple should be avoided. Avoid processed and flavored foods. In addition to the above foods, there are specific substances that cause heartburns only in a particular individual. A food diary would help find out such foods.

GERD Diet Tips

• Water helps dilute the acid when the reflux is mild
• Milk can be a good reliever of acid reflux and especially cold milk helps reduce the acidic effect
• Coconut water, buttermilk with coriander juice is also known to reduce acidity
• Increase fiber intake with lots of vegetables like leafy vegetables, bitter gourd, cucumber and pumpkin
• Fruits like banana, watermelon and papaya help reduce acidity
• Increase whole grains and protein in your diet

Alternative Remedies for Acid Reflux

• Ginger and garlic are known to aid in the digestion process and thus reduce the back up of contents into esophagus
• Fennel seeds benefits in digestion and acts as a powerful reliever of heartburns. It is either consumed with warm water or as fennel tea
• Herbal tea and green tea is known to be effective
• Apple cider vinegar consumed with meals also cures heartburns
• Licorice and Aloevera are good for stomach ailments and acidity
• Lemon juice along with rock salt should be taken 2 hours before meals
• Cardamom, chamomile and sandalwood are some herbs used to for its soothing effects on stomach

Careful diagnosis and prevention of causative factors would be the first step towards curing acid reflux naturally