When acid reflux flares up, eat alkaline, watery, and high-fiber foods like bananas, melons, cucumbers, oatmeal, and lean chicken, while avoiding fatty, fried, spicy, and acidic foods, and eating smaller meals to help soothe your stomach and reduce symptoms. Hydrating drinks like herbal teas (chamomile, ginger) and water are also beneficial, but avoid caffeine, alcohol, and sugary drinks.
Lettuce, celery and sweet peppers – These mild green veggies are easy on the stomach – and won't cause painful gas. Brown rice – This complex carbohydrate is mild and filling – just don't serve it fried. Melons – Watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew are all low-acid fruits that are among the best foods for acid reflux.
7 natural remedies for acid reflux
Although headaches aren't considered a primary symptom of acid reflux, some people do experience them, especially during or after a reflux episode. There are a few reasons why this might happen. One possibility is that the pain and discomfort from acid reflux can cause tension and stress, which may lead to headaches.
Medicines. Reflux medicines aren't typically used in children to treat reflux that isn't complicated. But a healthcare professional may recommend an acid-blocking medicine for several weeks or months. Acid-blocking medicines include cimetidine (Tagamet HB), famotidine (Pepcid AC) and omeprazole magnesium (Prilosec).
Full-fat yogurts may actually trigger acid reflux symptoms in sensitive individuals. Opt for low-fat or non-fat versions if you're managing heartburn. Flavored yogurts can contain high levels of sugar, artificial sweeteners, and additives that may irritate your stomach and increase acid production.
Call your doctor right away if you have severe chest pain, bloody or dark stools or emesis (vomit), unexplained weight loss, trouble swallowing or a feeling that food is trapped, or a sensation of acid refluxed into the windpipe causing shortness of breath, coughing or hoarseness of the voice.
These symptoms accompanying acid reflux (or any time) should always mean a trip to the emergency room: Squeezing/tightening in the chest. Feeling out of breath.
If you have persistent heartburn or other symptoms of GERD, it is important to see your healthcare provider before you try to self-treat your condition. Although you can live a long life with GERD, GERD that remains untreated can lead to serious complications like esophageal ulcers or even cancer.
Medicine. Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines for acid reflux include: Antacids. Antacids (like Tums® and Rolaids®) neutralize your stomach acid so that when reflux happens, it isn't as corrosive to your esophagus.
Ginger can reduce the ability of stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus. Ginger can also reduce inflammation. This can reduce the symptoms of acid reflux. Ginger is rich in antioxidants and may provide some medicinal benefits.
Answer: Bile reflux involves fluid from the small intestine flowing into the stomach and esophagus. Acid reflux is backflow of stomach acid into the esophagus. These conditions are often related, and sometimes differentiating between the two can be difficult.
What foods calm acid reflux? Foods that are low in acidity are often helpful for acid reflux. Great options include bananas, almond butter, carrot sticks, mashed avocado dip, lean protein, and whole grain crackers.
Having acid reflux doesn't necessarily mean you have a medical condition. GERD, on the other hand, is a chronic medical condition. This means it is an ongoing disease with acid reflux causing symptoms two or more times a week.
If you only want a satisfying crunch and don't need the salty taste, you can choose apple slices or whole-grain crackers. Pairing apples with peanut butter or cheese can help manage acid reflux. Toasted bread and crackers are excellent options because they absorb excess stomach acid.
The goal of surgery for reflux disease is to strengthen the anti-reflux barrier. During a procedure known as a Nissen fundoplication, your surgeon wraps the upper part of your stomach around the lower esophagus. This enhances the anti-reflux barrier and can provide permanent relief from reflux.
Chronic acid reflux
Without treatment, symptoms can last for weeks or even months. If left untreated, chronic acid reflux, or GORD, may lead to complications such as: Oesophagitis – inflammation of the oesophageal lining, which may cause pain and make swallowing difficult.
One of the primary links between heart health and GERD lies in their shared symptoms. Chest pain caused by acid reflux can sometimes feel alarmingly similar to angina—a type of chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart.
Symptoms of an esophageal ulcer
Esophageal ulcer symptoms can include: Pain when you swallow or trouble swallowing. Pain behind your breastbone (heartburn) Feeling of food sticking in your throat or not going down right.
Causes of heartburn and acid reflux
certain food and drink – such as coffee, tomatoes, alcohol, chocolate and fatty or spicy foods. being overweight. smoking. pregnancy - find out more about indigestion and heartburn in pregnancy.
What to Do When You Wake Up Choking from Reflux
Signs You Shouldn't Ignore About Acid Reflux
Understand when to worry: Persistent chest pain, trouble swallowing, or recurring symptoms may signal a more serious issue. Watch for red flags: Symptoms like unexplained weight loss, vomiting, or black stools require immediate medical attention.
For the test, you'll drink half a glass (4 ounces) of cold water combined with a quarter teaspoon of baking soda, on an empty stomach. Then time how long it takes you to burp. If it takes longer than three to five minutes, the theory goes, you don't have enough stomach acid.