How to get rid of acid reflux (Strong acid reflux)

Sometimes acid reflux progresses to GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) a more severe form of reflux. GERD signs and symptoms include:

• Chest pain
• A burning sensation in your chest (heartburn),sometimes spreading to your throat,along with a sour taste in your mouth
• Difficulty swallowing(dysphagia)
• Dry cough
• Hoarseness or sore throat
• Regurgitation of food or sour liquid(acid reflux)
• sensation of a lump in your throat

Although many people can relieve their reflux disease symptoms by changes in their habits, diet, and lifestyle, others need to consult their health-care professional.

• Call your health-care professional when symptoms of GERD occur frequently,disrupt your sleep,interfere with work or other activities,or are not relieved by self-care measures alone.
• Make your health-care professional aware that you are using self-care measures or over-the-counter medications so that they can monitor how well they work and how often you need to use them

Talk to your doctor. Prescription medications may help. In a few cases, GERD may be treated with surgery or other procedures.

Acid blockers (H2 blockers) reduce the production of stomach acid.This makesthe stomach juices less acidic so that any stomach juice that gets into the esophagus is less irritating.This relieves symptoms and allows the esophagus to heal.

Over the counter medication for heartburn relief: 

• Zantac
• Axid
• Pepcid
• Tagament

Proton pump inhibitors are usually used :

• To prevent GERD symptoms
• To heal inflammation of the esophagus
• To prevent esophagitis from coming back after the esophagus is healed and to prevent compications of gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD)

Medicines that can be used are Nexium, Prilosec, Dexilant, Prevacid, Protonix, Aciphex.

Studies shown that a lot of people found a very simple solution to acid reflux problem-drinking water. Water helps by temporarily raising stomach pH.  Recommendation is six to eight glasses a day. Avoid flavored water. Artificial flavors and other additives in flavored water may irritate your stomach and esophagus. Always choose pure water.

Very important thing is not to drink water during a meal. Liquids add to the volume of food in your stomach and increases stomach distension. That can cause the LES muscle to open and allow stomach contents to leak into the esophagus  Also when you drink water with meals, stomach acid is usually diluted, which leads to incomplete digestion of food. Undigested food may stay longer in your stomach, which can increase acid reflux symptoms.

Exercise helps with acid reflux for many reasons. First of all it keeps your body upright so the gravity helps with digestion. Also it helps reduces body weight which also causes acid reflux. Research shows that exercise reduces stress and stress can also trigger acid reflux problems.

Important thing is to be moderate. Exercises like running can agitate your digestive tract and provoke reflux. To minimize the risk of acid reflux symptoms wait at least two hours after eating to work out. Also make sure to avoid sports drinks and choose pure water. If you are new to exercising start slow and go for half an hour moderate walk every day. 

Antacids neutralize stomach acid to help relieve heartburn,sour stomach,acid indigestion and stomach upset.Some antacids also contain simethicone,an ingredient that helps eliminate excess gas.

Use products such as :

• Milk of Magnesia
• Alternagel,Amphojel
• Gaviscon,Gelusil,Maalox,Mylanta,Rolaids,Tums
• Pepto-Bismol

You should take antacids exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the package label.If you are using the tablets,chew them well before swallowing for faster relief.

Wearing tight clothes or tight belts puts extra pressure on your stomach and that can cause or make acid reflux worse. 

Pressure on the stomach can push acid upwards and into the esophagus. f you don’t have a reflux problem yet, but have a predisposition to it wearing tight clothes could tip you over the edge into being a sufferer.

So the advise is to avoid tight clothes especially during and right after a meal.

Give your stomach time to digest food before wearing your favorite skinny jeans.