Stomach Acid Reflux

Stomach acid reflux is a disease, in which the acids and the liquid content of the stomach leaks back into the throat or the esophagus. There are a number of causes of acid reflux or Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), as it is medically known, such as, overeating, intake of diet which is high in salts or fats, stress, abnormalities in the esophagus, pregnancy, hiatal hernia and Gastroparesis. Here are the symptoms of stomach acid reflux disease, followed by the different ways to treat it.

Symptoms

Stomach acid reflux produces a number of symptoms in adults as well as children. The most common symptom of acid reflux, which is experienced by most of the adults in this condition, is chest discomfort. The person might feel heartburn or tightness in this chest. Besides this, some other symptoms are difficulty in swallowing, difficulty in breathing, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, stomach bloating, sore throat, gruffness, sour taste in the mouth and sometimes, even cough.

Treatment Methods

Medication
The most commonly used medication is antacid. Antacids aid in reducing the acid content of the stomach, but they do not cure the swelling of the esophagus that occurs due to acid reflux. The effects of antacids are very short-term and in no way it can treat acid reflux completely. Antacids may also produce certain side effects in a person such as constipation and diarrhea, so their intake should be limited too. H-2-receptor blockers are another over-the-counter medications, which shut down the acid production in the stomach, thereby reducing the symptoms.

Diet Changes
In order to cure stomach acid reflux, certain lifestyle and dietary changes have to be made. The person in this condition should avoid overeating, and the best way to achieve this is to eat five to six small meals a day instead of three large meals. After eating food, the person should not lie down immediately as it can lead to indigestion. Below is a list of foods that should be included in the GERD diet, followed by foods that should be avoided in this condition.

Foods to Eat

• Vegetables such as broccoli, beans, peas, carrots and cabbage should be included in the diet.
• Whole grain foods such as cereals, crackers, rice and bread help in neutralizing the acids in stomach and thus, are very safe to eat in this condition.
• Fruits, such as papaya, pineapple, bananas, apples, strawberries, blue berries, cranberries and raspberries should form a part of the diet.
• Chicken and fish, minus fats can also be eaten.
• Beverages such as herbal teas, plain water and mineral water, should be included in the diet too.

Foods to Avoid

• Foods which are high in fat, too spicy, oily or which contain lots of refined sugars, should be avoided.
• Citrus fruits such as oranges, lemon, grapefruits, can cause stomach acidity so they too should be avoided.
• Junk food such as pizzas, French fries, cookies, ice creams and burgers, should not be eaten.
• Alcohol, tea, coffee, soft drinks, chocolates and certain fruit juices such as orange juice and lemon juice should not be included in the diet.

The treatment entails a number of lifestyle changes as well as medication. Besides the above mentioned medicines, a number of people have now switched to alternative medicines, such as probiotics, herbs like aloe vera, apple cider vinegar and ginger root. This is because, unlike the antacids and the H-2-receptor blockers, these medicines, if taken regularly, accompanied by the dietary and lifestyle changes mentioned above, can cure acid reflux completely, without any side-effects.