Acid reflux treatment with folk remedies

Lifestyle changes

In addition to following a diet and taking special supplements, the following will help prevent heartburn:
- ability to cope with stress - it is important to learn to relax (using meditation, art therapy, yoga). Some reflex points in the chest area are associated with digestion; influencing them (through massage, acupressure, acupuncture) can bring relief; - sleep on your side (head should be elevated)

Raise the pillow, adjust the headboard, place a small bolster under the mattress - these actions will help prevent acid from returning to the esophagus;

— sleeping on your side

(the head should be elevated). Raise the pillow, adjust the headboard, place a small bolster under the mattress - these actions will help prevent acid from returning to the esophagus;

— sport in the morning

, moderate loads. A categorical “no” to crunches - in the process of performing this exercise, the stomach is pinched, which increases the pain;

— to give up smoking.

When treating reflux, you should not rely on medications; they only provide temporary relief from symptoms. To get a positive result in the long term, you will have to follow a diet and adhere to the rules described above. If the symptoms are accompanied by hoarseness, shortness of breath, stomach pain after eating, diarrhea, problems with swallowing food, you should visit a gastroenterologist immediately.

Acid reflux today

, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease, is a fairly common problem. Reflux disease occurs when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus due to improper relaxation of a muscle valve. This causes heartburn, burning and other unpleasant sensations. Sometimes they are so strong that people mistake what is happening for a heart attack.

Sometimes reflux disease leads to asthma, dyspepsia, inflammation of the esophagus, and ulcers. There is an unpleasant odor from the mouth. In more severe cases, acid reflux can cause

oncological disease
of the esophagus
.

If you have been diagnosed with reflux disease

, you need to reconsider your diet.
Choosing the right diet in this case is the most effective way to solve the problem.
What foods should be excluded from the diet? First of all, you should give up processed foods, sugar, refined and fatty foods, caffeine and alcohol. At the same time, you need to increase the amount of fruits, vegetables and whole grains in your diet. Food rich in fiber is of great importance.

If you regularly suffer from acid reflux and the discomfort associated with it, then perhaps some natural remedies will help you, which we will discuss in detail in our article today.

relieves acid reflux symptoms

How to treat with folk remedies?

The danger of esophagitis is the asymptomatic nature of the first stages, when the disease is easier to cure. With constant exposure to digestive juice thrown back into the esophagus due to reflux, severe irritation of the walls of the esophagus occurs with damage to the mucous membrane. As a result, unpleasant symptoms appear in the form of heartburn, belching, burning pain and other manifestations. Many of them are easily eliminated with folk remedies.

But before starting treatment, you should consult your doctor. Only a specialist can create a suitable therapeutic course that will not cause harm. In addition to using non-traditional recipes, the patient will be required to:

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lifestyle change;
improving the quality of nutrition;
taking certain medications.

The treatment regimen using alternative medicine methods is based on the simultaneous use of two approaches:

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optimal selection of medicinal nutrition products;
treatment with herbal recipes.

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How is acid reflux (GERD) diagnosed?

Folk remedies for heartburn during pregnancy

Your doctor can usually diagnose reflux disease by the symptoms you report.

Diet and lifestyle changes may be recommended first, and perhaps over-the-counter antacids.
If symptoms persist for more than 4 weeks despite this therapy, the person may be referred to a gastroenterologist, who is a doctor who specializes in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

A gastroenterologist can perform the upper GI series.

This is a series of x-rays of the esophagus, stomach and upper intestine.
This is done after you drink a contrast liquid, which makes certain features appear better on x-rays.
This series is sometimes called a barium swallow for one type of contrast fluid that is used when the study is limited to the esophagus.
This test provides less information than an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, but is ordered to rule out other conditions such as ulcers or esophageal blockage. The top GI series is sometimes skipped altogether.

A gastroenterologist may perform an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, also called an esophagogastroduodenoscopy or EGD, a procedure that can be performed on an outpatient basis.

You are given a sedative, then a flexible tube with a tiny camera on the end is passed down your throat. The camera allows the doctor to see damage to the esophagus, the severity of GERD, and rule out serious complications of GERD or unexpected illnesses.
Your esophagus may appear normal if you have mild GERD.
This procedure allows a specialist to make diagnoses, evaluate damage, perform biopsies if necessary, and even treat certain conditions on the spot.

Esophageal manometry is a test that measures lower esophageal sphincter function and esophageal motor function. The tube passes down the throat until it reaches the esophagus. This is often performed in conjunction with a 24-hour pH probe study.

For a 24-hour pH probe test, a thin tube is placed into the esophagus for 24 hours. The tube tracks episodes of acid reflux throughout the day and while you sleep.

Reviews

Tatyana, 34 years old

Reflux esophagitis was treated in the hospital, I was given IV drips, and was also prescribed pills. During treatment I follow a diet.

Almagel helps me fight reflux esophagitis. I also periodically take herbal remedies. The doctor recommended watching my diet.

I have reflux esophagitis. When a relapse occurs, I immediately take Almagel, it quickly relieves the symptoms.

Inflammation of the esophagus - esophagitis - can occur in different forms. For each of them there is a specific treatment regimen, which includes recipes for alternative medicine. It is recommended to use them as the main treatment only in the initial stages of mild forms. In other cases, treatment with folk remedies and drug therapy should be combined in order to speed up the healing process and prevent complications. Folk remedies for reflux esophagitis can be prepared from mono- or multicomponent preparations.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW! Even “advanced” heartburn can be cured at home, without surgery or hospitals. Just read what Elena Samokhina says and read the recommendation.

Reflux of acid from the stomach into the esophagus: treatment and diagnosis

Folk remedies for the treatment of Helicobacter pylori

Diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux begins with identifying symptoms. Its main characteristic signs are associated with discomfort in the epigastric region and behind the sternum, with belching of sour stomach contents and moderate pain. In more severe cases, patients complain of drooling, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing food and decreased appetite. Some patients report coughing and shortness of breath.

To make a reliable diagnosis, only anamnesis and physical examination are not enough. For diagnostic purposes, instrumental methods are used:

X-ray examination
, with the help of which pathologies such as diaphragmatic hernia, neoplasms of the esophagus, ulcerative defects and strictures are detected;
pH-metry
;
scintigraphy
;
esophagomanometry
- measuring pressure in the esophageal tube.

The main diagnostic method that gives reliable, comprehensive results is endoscopy. It confirms the presence of GERD and provides information about the extent of the disease and its severity.

Subsequently, using endoscopy

The results of the therapy are monitored.
In such a condition as a discharge from the stomach into the esophagus, treatment should be immediate. During endoscopy, biomaterials of the esophageal mucosa are taken, followed by histological examination. This is done in order to differentiate the diagnosis of “ Barrett's esophagus
”.
This is a serious disease that develops as a complication of GERD
, which is considered a precancerous condition.

If there is a reflux of bile into the esophagus, adequate treatment should be prescribed, so additional studies may be prescribed:

esophagogastroduodenoscopy
- examination of the lower parts of the esophagus;
Ultrasound
of the abdominal organs;
examination of the tone of the gallbladder - choledochoscintigraphy
, which provides information about the contractile function of the esophageal sphincter.

General clinical tests of blood, urine and feces are also prescribed. A biochemical blood test helps examine the functionality of the liver and pancreas.

Based on the collected results of clinical signs and instrumental studies, the gastroenterologist makes a refined diagnosis and prescribes appropriate treatment and diet to the patient.

Against the background of increased stomach acidity or for a number of physiological reasons, acid reflux can develop - a disease accompanied by sour belching, hiccups, and an unpleasant taste in the mouth. In the absence of timely treatment, which consists of following a diet and proper nutrition, the disease can lead to serious damage to the mucous membranes of the esophagus and other negative consequences.

Causes of the disease

The most basic reason for the backflow of food from the stomach into the esophagus is the pathology of the sphincter, when it is either completely or partially open. This comes from poor nutrition. In particular, the problem is overeating, which increases pressure on the sphincter from the stomach. Sometimes weakness occurs in the area of the retaining valve from nervous tension, lifting something heavy, the appearance of a hernia at the diaphragmatic opening, or from being forced to sit on the body, for example, when sitting at a computer most of the day in a forward position.

During pregnancy, women often experience heartburn from the pressure of the fetus on the digestive organs and sphincter. Certain medications, drinking large amounts of coffee or spices can lead to reflux. Some people with sphincter weakness only need to lean forward or down and reflux will occur.

Esophagitis, that is, inflammation of the inner lining of the esophagus, most often occurs precisely due to a violation of the protective mechanisms of this organ, and is accompanied by acid entering it. If treatment is not started in time and the symptoms of reflux esophagitis do not disappear, then the inflammatory process will begin to cover adjacent areas of the body. This can cause rhinitis and pharyngitis, bronchial asthma with night attacks of shortness of breath and cough. Acid enters the oral cavity and causes the destruction of the protective enamel of the teeth, which leads to caries.

Precautions for Acid Reflux Symptoms

If acid reflux symptoms affect your lifestyle or daily activities and last more than two weeks, consider visiting your doctor.

Here are some other reasons why you should seek professional advice from a doctor: hoarseness, worsening asthma after eating, persistent pain when lying down, pain after exercise, difficulty breathing that occurs mostly at night, and trouble swallowing for more than one or two days days.

To diagnose GERD, doctors may perform an endoscopy, a procedure that involves inserting a thin tube into the esophagus through the throat to check the condition of the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. Some evidence suggests that endoscopy may not be as effective as previously thought, but it is still common practice.

Another method for detecting acid reflux/GERD when the patient complains of characteristic symptoms is the barium swallow test. The barium solution is ingested, allowing X-rays to detect changes in the esophagus. Unfortunately, only 1 in 3 patients with GERD have noticeable changes in the esophagus that can be seen on a barium swallow x-ray.

Another diagnostic method is a gastric acidity test, in which the contents of the stomach are emptied and gastrin () is injected into the body to determine acid secretion.

If you are concerned that you may have low stomach acid, most doctors will not recommend testing (since low stomach acid is not a traditional cause of acid reflux symptoms), but you can personally request a Heidelberg test.

What over-the-counter (OTC, over-the-counter) medications treat acid reflux?

Over-the-counter medications may also help relieve your symptoms. Check with your doctor before trying any of these.

Antacids (Gaviscon, Maalox, Mylanta and Tums): These are effective when taken 1 hour after meals and before bed because they neutralize the acid already present.

Some of them are combined with a foaming agent. Foaming the stomach helps prevent acid from entering the esophagus.
These agents are safe to use every day for several weeks, but if taken for a longer period, they may cause side effects: diarrhea
Disorders of calcium metabolism in the body
Magnesium buildup in the body, which can damage the kidneys

If you use them daily for more than 3 weeks, tell your doctor.

Histamine-2 receptor blockers (H2 blockers) prevent acid formation.

H2 blockers are only effective if taken at least 1 hour before meals as they do not affect the acid already present.
Common H2 blockers include cimetidine (Tagamet), famotidine (Pepcid), ranitidine (Zantac), and nizatidine (Axid).

If self-care and over-the-counter medications don't help, your healthcare provider will likely prescribe one of the stronger antacids. This therapy may only be needed for a short time or over a longer period while you gradually change your lifestyle.

Remedy for the erosive form of the disease

A dessert spoon of cumin seeds is poured with a glass of boiling water (250 ml), covered with a lid and a warm scarf. The drink is infused for 15 minutes, then it is filtered through a strainer and drunk. Make a new tincture 3 times a day, fresh before each use.

This drink has an anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic effect on the mucous membrane of the esophagus. When treating reflux esophagitis with folk remedies, you can take this tincture for quite a long time, until complete recovery.

Diagnostic methods

The basis of diagnosis is the presence of typical complaints, the diagnosis is supplemented by instrumental studies:

endoscopy of the esophagus and stomach with detection of erosions and inflammation in the lower third of the esophagus;
esophageal manometry (determining the contractility of the lower third of the esophagus);
transesophageal pH-metry of the esophagus with determination of the composition of gastric juice during the day;
a biopsy of the esophagus is necessary to determine the extent of the lesion, possible infection or malignant degeneration;
X-ray examination with barium suspension, determination of the condition of the esophagus.

Infusion of herbs and flax seed

The medicinal properties of flax seeds are recognized throughout the world. The microelements included in their composition gently envelop the walls of all organs of the gastrointestinal tract, regenerate mucous membranes and tissues damaged as a result of increased acidity. When the first symptoms of reflux esophagitis are detected, treatment with folk remedies, and in particular flax seeds, should be started immediately. You must take the drug described below for 2 months.

The cooking recipe is as follows:

15 grams of seeds;
chamomile flowers;
thyme herb;
tansy;
bearberry;
coriander and capsicum.

All herbs are taken in the same quantity - 1 teaspoon each. The dry ingredients are thoroughly mixed in a bowl and 4 tbsp is taken for infusion. l. of this fee. Pour into a glass container and pour half a liter of boiling water. Cover with a lid and leave for several hours. Then filter the mixture and consume 70 ml 3 times a day. According to reviews from sick people, it is better to make a new infusion every day.

Glutamine

Glutamine is an amino acid that helps restore the digestive system from damage caused by helicobacter pylori

. And although glutamine is already synthesized in the human body, its amount can be increased by eating foods such as beef and chicken, fish and eggs, dairy products and some fruits and vegetables (parsley, spinach, etc.)

Glutamine relieves us of inflammatory processes and helps cope with bloating.

In order to get rid of acid reflux, in addition to using the above natural remedies, you need to pay attention to the following important recommendations:

Pay more attention and time to your diet, chew your food thoroughly, and do not eat on the go. This will avoid the development of inflammatory processes and excessive pressure in the stomach.
The last meal should be light. It is recommended no later than two to three hours before bedtime.
Avoid sour and spicy foods that irritate the esophagus and stomach.
You should not start your meal with foods containing starch. It's better to start with vegetables or meat, and then move on to potatoes and bread.
If you suffer from excess weight, then you need to think about solving this problem .
Experts believe that there is a direct relationship between obesity and acid reflux. Excess weight often prevents the gastric sphincter from closing completely, causing stomach acid to back up into the esophagus and cause heartburn.
It is also not recommended to abuse alcohol. It has an irritating effect on the digestive organs, which can trigger the development of reflux disease.

More than a third of the inhabitants of our planet suffer from various diseases that are caused by digestive problems. One of the common causes of disease is acid reflux ().

Acid reflux refers to a condition in which acid from the stomach travels up the throat. This leads to damage to the throat and tongue, causes regular runny nose, unpleasant breathing, and worsens the condition of the mucous membrane.

burning in the chest and throat
the appearance of ulcers on the tongue
bad breath
poor sleep with regular awakenings
dry mouth
bleeding gums
loss of appetite
feeling of acid in the mouth

People suffering from acid reflux often describe the condition as a painful burning sensation in the throat after eating. Most often, this condition is described with the phrase “increased stomach acidity,” although in fact this is not the case at all. Acid reflux can be caused by poor diet, dysbiosis or anatomical defects. The acidity is normal, but the gases formed in the stomach push gastric juice into the throat.

Westerners suffer from acid reflux daily (up to 10% of people) as well as weekly (up to 30% of people) depending on their diet and lifestyle (). In response to the diversity of causes of the disease, different cultures have come up with many original ways to combat it. So among the ways to solve the problem they mention yoga, acupuncture and special diets. We are talking about alternative ways to solve the problem, although it is worth starting treatment with a visit to a gastroenterologist.

Causes of acid reflux

You eat too quickly without having time to chew your food thoroughly - this is one of the most common causes of the disease.
You overeat or put pressure on your stomach, preventing you from digesting food.
You eat 1-2 times a day, but in large portions.
You are overweight.
Stomach acidity has changed with age.
Pregnancy can also be a reason.
You eat food that is harmful to your stomach.
You are taking medications that are harmful to the stomach (antibiotics, medications for asthma, arthritis, osteoporosis).
You are regularly exposed to stress.
You are deficient in essential substances for health.
You have bad habits - smoking, drinking alcohol, a lot of caffeine.

These reasons have been confirmed by many studies (,).

Traditional treatment for reflux

Treatment of esophagitis with folk remedies involves the use of herbal preparations and natural products. If you act correctly, they will help cure reflux, namely:

Reduce the release of hydrochloric acid.
Normalize stomach acidity.
Restore sphincter tone.
Eliminate unpleasant symptoms.
Relieve inflammation of the esophageal mucosa.

It is important to know that not every medication and herbal infusion is compatible with each other. In addition, many medications contain plant extracts, so you should be careful when treating with herbs so as not to overdo it.

If a person has GERD and esophagitis - gastroesophageal reflux - it is forbidden to take herbal tinctures with alcohol and use folk recipes using alcohol. It only aggravates inflammation because it irritates the mucous membrane. Herbal treatment helps a lot - decoctions can be made from one plant or from their collections. The following recipes are especially popular.

You may also be interested in: Diet for reflux esophagitis

Chamomile

This herb is used for esophagitis that has become chronic. A remedy with chamomile relieves inflammation, disinfects the mucous membrane and heals the affected surface of the esophagus. To cure erosions, you need to drink chamomile tea. You can buy dry herb at a pharmacy and brew it 1-2 tablespoons in a glass of boiling water. Drink tea warm, but not hot.

Flax seeds

The medicinal product from flax seeds is taken as an enveloping substance. They are considered the most effective preventive medicine against gastrointestinal ulcers and oncology. Flax seeds reduce stomach acidity and relieve unpleasant symptoms. You can prepare a healing remedy by brewing 20 g of seeds in ½ glass of hot water. Leave it on all night and drink the resulting mixture in the morning. The duration of treatment is a week, then rest for 5 days and repeat the course.

Honey

For treatment, it is better to take varieties of honey that are well absorbed by the body. Honey should be taken before meals, preferably 1-2 hours before meals. Honey should be diluted with a small amount of water. The duration of treatment is two months. During an exacerbation, it is not recommended to treat with honey; it will only add irritation to the mucous membrane. For the same reason, honey is diluted with water.

We recommend reading: Symptoms and treatment of laryngopharyngeal reflux

Sea buckthorn oil

Sea buckthorn oil helps heal damage to the walls of the esophagus, normalize secretory function, improve the digestion process and increase bile secretion. You need to drink a teaspoon before meals. Therapy for esophageal esophagitis lasts at least two weeks. In addition, sea buckthorn relieves inflammation and pain.

Linseed oil

The healing qualities that flax has are also used in traditional medicine. It ideally treats erosive and allergic forms of esophagitis. Flaxseed oil helps remove toxins and poisons from the body, heal damaged tissues, and improve immunity. Flaxseed oil should be drunk before meals, because it has an enveloping property. Drink a teaspoon, duration of therapy is 2 weeks.

Aloe juice

The use of agave juice shows good results for reflux. It soothes the digestive system and reduces acidity. Aloe juice is necessary for people with intestinal diseases - ulcerative colitis and frequent diarrhea. It is necessary to take 30 ml of juice diluted with 60 ml of water as soon as the approaching symptoms of the disease are felt.

Potato juice

Potato juice can cure this unpleasant disease if you drink it correctly. If you feel unfavorable signs of the disease, you need to take a raw potato, wash it and put it through a juicer without peeling it. Then pour the juice into the resulting pulp and stir well. Drink it immediately, because after half an hour it will lose its effect. If you drink potato juice every time after a meal, you will soon have to forget about the disease.

We advise you to read: How to treat distal catarrhal reflux esophagitis

Dill seeds

Ideal for acute reflux because it quickly relieves inflammation and pain. Stir 2 teaspoons of pre-crushed dill seeds in a glass of boiling water. Let stand for at least 3 hours, then strain. Drink a tablespoon 4 times a day until healing.

Herbal collection

Plants not only help well against illness when used individually, but also in collections. Mix a teaspoon of chamomile, two tablespoons of mint and wormwood. Place the mixture in a liter of boiling water, hold for 2 hours and strain. Drink 100 ml 30 minutes before meals.

Propolis

The beekeeping product is successfully used in the treatment of many diseases. You can take it in its natural form, chewing 8 g each before you decide to eat. Can be added to any herbal infusion - this method also works well.

We recommend watching the video: Reflux esophagitis and folk remedies

Treating reflux esophagitis will take a long time. The first step is to review your diet and exclude from it all foods that are harmful to this disease. Then folk recipes will be quite effective and will help in healing. It is important to remember that herbal therapy must be prescribed by a doctor, just like medications. Self-treatment with folk remedies is fraught with the occurrence of an allergic reaction and exacerbation of chronic diseases.

Lifestyle changes

In addition to following a diet and taking special supplements, the following will help prevent heartburn:

- ability to cope with stress - it is important to learn to relax (using meditation, art therapy, yoga). Some reflex points in the chest area are associated with digestion; influencing them (through massage, acupressure, acupuncture) can bring relief; - sleep on your side (head should be elevated)

Raise the pillow, adjust the headboard, place a small bolster under the mattress - these actions will help prevent acid from returning to the esophagus;

— sleeping on your side

(the head should be elevated). Raise the pillow, adjust the headboard, place a small bolster under the mattress - these actions will help prevent acid from returning to the esophagus;

— sport in the morning

, moderate loads. A categorical “no” to crunches - in the process of performing this exercise, the stomach is pinched, which increases the pain;

— to give up smoking.

Image from lori.ru

Acid reflux (gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD) is a condition of reflux of acidic stomach contents into the esophagus against the physiological direction of movement of digestive secretions.

For the esophagus, the acidic environment of the stomach is aggressive, causing damage to the epithelium and the development of inflammation. Under normal conditions, the esophagus is closed by the lower esophageal sphincter from the stomach, which relaxes when food or liquid is swallowed. Under pathological conditions, disturbances in the tone of the esophagus and its insufficient closure may occur, which creates the preconditions for the reflux of stomach contents into the esophageal cavity. Due to the action of hydrochloric acid and active enzymes, the walls of the esophagus are damaged - a burning sensation and pain in the sternum, heartburn occurs. Regular occurrence of heartburn and reflux is considered gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Herbal collection

When treating reflux with folk remedies, you need to make a decoction of the herbs listed below:

chamomile flowers - 2 tbsp. l.;
flax seeds - the same amount;
licorice root – 1 tbsp. l.;
lemon balm leaves - the same amount as licorice.

Using a coffee grinder, grind the dry ingredients into a fine powder, pour into a saucepan and pour 1 liter of boiling water. Then place in a water bath and after steaming for 10 minutes, set aside for a couple of hours to infuse. Before use, the drug must be strained through a fine sieve or gauze and drunk at least 4 times a day, at regular intervals. Take 50 ml of liquid at one time.

Diagnosis of GERD

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is a term used to describe many of the symptoms, such as heartburn, that occur with GERD. But GER is more common and less serious than GERD.

GER occurs less frequently and usually goes away after taking antacid medications. GERD describes more persistent symptoms.

Some doctors differentiate between GER and GERD by looking at the frequency of your symptoms. If you experience heartburn more than twice a week for several weeks in a row, your doctor may diagnose you with GERD.

Heartburn or heart attack?

People with GERD often report chest pain.

People who have had a myocardial infarction (heart attack) or who have other heart problems also often experience chest pain. Chest pain that occurs in the area of the heart may indicate a disease called angina pectoris.

Before you see a gastroenterologist, it is important to make sure that your chest pain is not caused by a heart problem. Chest pain caused by a heart attack will likely also be accompanied by the following symptoms:

Chest pain caused by a heart attack will likely also be accompanied by the following symptoms:

chest pressure and pain radiating to the arm, neck, jaw or back
nausea
cold sweat
shortness of breath
dizziness
faintness
fatigue

A characteristic sign of heartburn is that it does not get worse at all during physical activity or does not improve during rest.

If you experience severe chest pain, or pain radiates to your left arm or jaw, consult a doctor immediately, as this may indicate a myocardial infarction.

If you have chest pain and you are not sure what is causing it, you need to go to the emergency room.

Diagnostic procedures

Endoscopy for GERD

In most cases, diagnosing GERD does not involve any medical tests or procedures, as most often your doctor will make the diagnosis based on the symptoms you experience.

Your doctor may prescribe certain medications to see if your condition improves. If your symptoms improve, this will most likely mean that the diagnosis has been confirmed and you have GERD.

However, in some cases, your doctor may refer you for a diagnosis, which may consist of some diagnostic procedures.

Endoscopic pH testing (pH probe) is used to measure the amount of acid in the esophagus. This procedure is done by inserting a flexible tube that is passed through the nose into the esophagus and connected to a small data recorder on the outside. This tube remains in place for 24 hours or longer to obtain the information you need.

If your doctor suspects that you are at risk for complications of GERD, such as esophageal ulcers, he may order an upper endoscopy.

During this procedure, a diagnostician will insert a flexible tube with a camera at the end of your throat to examine your esophagus and assess how much acid has damaged it.

If you have signs of Barrett's esophagus (a rare, precancerous condition of the esophagus), your doctor may recommend that you have regular esophageal examinations with an endoscope.

How to get rid of acid reflux?

Since the problem is related to digestion, it is logical to start solving it with food. First, you should decide on your diet. Gas-producing foods and acidic foods can harm you. Secondly, certain types of food can protect your throat from acid and improve digestion.

Literally every study on acid reflux confirms that the cause is poor diet. We eat too much pre-prepared food and do it quickly, without paying the necessary attention to chewing. Since each person's digestive system reacts differently to the same food, it is impossible to say specifically what is causing problems for an individual without proper research. However, there is a whole class of foods that are harmful to everyone.

Try to eat more foods containing fiber, maintain your intestinal microflora, and take high quality protein. All this should reduce the pain that acid reflux causes.

Foods to help with acid reflux

Dairy

, kefir and yogurt help intestinal microflora, improve digestion and protect the digestive tract from acid. Choose products with live bacteria and a minimum shelf life.

Supplements to help with digestion:

L-glutamine ()
Chamomile tea
Ginger tea
Magnesium complex ()
Probiotics

Try to sleep on a high pillow (), bend over less often after eating, play sports (but not after eating!), and stop smoking. Remember, medications are not enough. You must take care of your health and nutrition.

How to choose a pillow for acid reflux?

Try to raise your head 10-15 cm from the plane of the bed. You can use a soft block or extra pillow if needed. Studies have shown that raising the head slightly reduces symptoms and improves throat health.

Avoid eating 3 hours before bedtime. Your stomach needs to digest food before you fall asleep.

Chew your food thoroughly, otherwise your stomach will have difficulty digesting it.

It is very important

Wear comfortable clothes after eating. Tight clothing can be harmful to digestion.

Avoid physical activity and especially bending after eating.

Diet

A patient with reflux esophagitis is prescribed a very strict diet. The list of prohibited products is very long:

rich soups or broths.
marinades, smoked meats, pickles - also enhance the secretory function of the stomach.
drinks that increase the acidity of gastric juice - these include any alcohol, carbonated drinks, natural fruit juices.
sweets, chocolate, strong tea, coffee - these foods relax the lower sphincter of the stomach, causing food to stagnate.
cabbage, brown bread, legumes, peas, fresh milk - these products contribute to gas formation and increased pressure in the stomach.
Fruits, especially citrus fruits, contribute to heartburn.
Fatty and fried foods also slow down digestion and cause heartburn.
Chewing gum is also prohibited. It increases salivation and promotes the production of gastric juice.
you need to avoid excessive consumption of spicy foods, spices, mayonnaise and other sauces.

The menu for reflux esophagitis should consist of the following products:

milk, low-fat cottage cheese and sour cream;
chicken, soft-boiled eggs;
cereals cooked in water;
dried white bread;
lean meat, steamed in the oven;
boiled vegetables;
boiled lean fish;
compotes, jelly from sweet fruits.

It is not advisable to eat fruits or vegetables raw; it is better to bake them in the oven. Vegetables can be stewed with a little oil, or a light vegetable soup with lean meat can be prepared.

You should also pay attention to the meal schedule - it is recommended to eat every 3-4 hours, and the portions should be small, dinner should be early - 4 hours before bedtime. Products should not be too hot (so as not to injure the affected walls of the esophagus) or cold (this causes vasospasm). Proper balanced nutrition is the key to successful treatment of reflux esophagitis.