Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD or acid reflux for short) is a condition in which the stomach contents regurgitates or flows back into the esophagus causing symptoms such as heartburn and belching. It is a digestive disorder that affects a large number of people and mostly, the common resort for treatment are pills and medications. However, with the official statement release by FDA regarding the side effects brought about by these proton pump inhibitor drugs, you have to look at your other options, the best would be to go for natural remedies which are equally effective, safe and natural. Here are some of them.

Natural treatments for acid reflux cover a wide range of choices from chamomile tea to chewing gum. Sufferers can simply utilize one method after another if they find that the natural treatment doesn’t work for them. Keep in mind that acid reflux is an individual disease that may have a different treatment for different people so its for you to find out which one works for you best. Following are the home remedies for acid reflux that can be done at the comforts of your home,

Chamomile tea
Prepared at lukewarm temperature, chamomile tea must be slowly sipped in order to it to be effective. The tea will dilute the acidic contents in the stomach while the warm temperature will soothe the person, allowing them to relax as much as possible. The tea may be drunk in the morning or whenever one feels the effect of acid reflux.

Papaya Enzyme
The great thing about this is that they already come in pill form for easy intake. The papaya contains digestive enzymes that help break down food, preventing acidity in the stomach. Eating fresh papaya is also a good substitute for taking the enzymes especially since the fruit did not undergo a chemical process.

Apple Cider Vinegar
This method is ideal to stop an acute attack of heartburn. The sufferer could simply swallow around three table spoons of the material or dissolver the same amount in a glass of warm water if the condition is mild.

Baking Soda
One of the most common natural remedies for acid reflux, baking soda is an ideal choice for sudden attacks, especially since the item is easily found in homes. A half teaspoon of the powder must be mixed with around 3 ounces of water, dissolved and drunk. After taking this, you will feel an incoming belch that would release the pressure in the stomach.

Ginger Root
Simply wash and peel ginger and cut it into tiny pieces. Boil the item for around five minutes and drink the liquid portion to get rid of acid reflux.

Chew Gum
The saliva in itself is an effective controller of acid in the body. Simply chew gum for thirty minutes or so – preferably sugarless – to stimulate saliva production in the mouth.

Acid reflux may be caused by several factors, most of them involving habits that causes stomach acid to reach the esophagus. That being said, several lifestyle changes may also be effective in preventing future onset of the condition.

Drop the Vices
Stop smoking or drinking. Nicotine has been linked to increased production of stomach acid. Although alcohol in itself is not directly linked to acid reflux, the habit is capable of compromising bodily functions which is all in all bad for the health.

Maintain Proper Weight
Obesity or being overweight has been linked to various diseases, one of them being acid reflux. Additional fat in the stomach area increases pressure in the belly, pushing acid towards the esophagus. In fact, statistics shows that 35% of overweight people suffer from frequent heartburn.

Avoid Tight Fitting Clothes
This method is connected with the previous one. Even if you are not overweight, tight fitting clothes are enough to create a pressure in the stomach that will force the acid to rise up. These include belts and undergarments that tighten the body to make it more slender.

Relax
Although there is no concrete connection between acid reflux and stress, it has been noticed that the condition manages to trigger situations that could lead to heartburn. In any case, stress is not healthy for the body and should be avoided as much as possible.

Proper Eating Habits
Considering that acid reflux mainly starts in the stomach, it only makes sense that our eating habits play a major role in the condition. Following are some of the things you have to avoid in order to prevent acid reflux.

Drink More Water
By drinking water, sufferers can dilute the stomach acid in their body, therefore minimizing the impact of acid reflux. This should be done after every meal.

Keep your Head Elevated
When lying down, make sure that your head is elevated about eight inches to prevent the acid from travelling to the esophagus. It’s a simply application of gravity rules but is effective in preventing avid reflux. For better results, simply avoid lying down after eating. This is why eating an early dinner is sometimes advisable, allowing the food to be processed in the stomach before a person lies down to sleep. The same applies for exercises or bending over after a meal.

Drink Milk
Milk – whether skimmed or whole – is an effective treatment that produces instantaneous effects.

Apple and Pineapple
Both have shown relieving effects from acid reflux when eaten after a meal. In pineapple’s case, the fruit contains numerous digestive enzymes that help break down food in the stomach for faster digestion.

Avoid Fatty Foods
Fatty foods take time to digest and could still be in the process of breaking down by the time you decide to eat another meal. This abundance of food in the stomach increases the chances of acid reflux since it takes the stomach a long time to be emptied of contents.

Eat small meals per day
Put simply, more food in the stomach widens the chances of the food not staying in the appropriate place. To avoid this, settle for five small meals per day instead of three heavy meals, especially during around dinner time.

Observe what you Eat
There are currently numerous food types that are being eyed as a possible cause of acid reflux including coffee, spicy foods, carbonated drink and wine. However, since no verification has come up, it is important for sufferers to observe if they immediately get acid reflux after eating particular types of food. As mentioned, acid reflux is a highly individual condition.

The number of natural remedies for acid reflux turns it into a simple problem that may be cured without resorting to medications, especially if you only suffer the condition occasionally. Should you be a chronic sufferer, then it might be time to consult the doctor regarding the condition. The condition may be caused by underlying problems in the body and it is important that a doctor makes an accurate diagnosis before the situation worsens.