What Is A Home Remedy For Acid Reflux – Get Quick Relief

In today’s article, we are going to be talking about something I get asked a lot. What is a home remedy for acid reflux to get quick relief? I would like to start by discussing some of the causes of why you might be experiencing acid reflux, and indigestion, or Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

What Is The Cause Of Acid Reflux In Adults?

According to medical professionals, several different things can cause you to start developing acid reflux, especially as we get older. There is a valve at the entrance to your stomach, which is a ring of muscles called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). In normal circumstances, the valve closes as soon as food passes through it. If the valve does not shut all the way, the acid produced by your stomach can move up into your esophagus.

When the valve doesn’t shut all the way, it allows the acid into your esophagus and creates the burning sensation in your chest known as heartburn. If the acid reflux symptoms occur more than twice a week, you may have acid reflux disease, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Another common cause of acid reflux disease is a stomach abnormality called a hiatal hernia. A hiatal hernia occurs when weakened muscle tissue allows your stomach to bulge up through your diaphragm. The diaphragm is a muscle that separates your stomach from your chest. Under normal conditions, the diaphragm helps keep the acid in your stomach. But if you have a hiatal hernia, acid can move up into your esophagus and cause acid reflux.

The relationship between an acidic body and illness has been well established. The medical term for this condition is acidosis. Acidosis ironically leads to an acid deficiency in the only organ requiring acid, which is the stomach. The toxicity of most foods in a typical diet causes the body to become more acidic during digestion.

Can Medications Cause Acid Reflux?

Yes, many different medications can trigger heartburn or make it worse. Regular use of aspirin or popular nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may irritate the esophagus. NSAIDs include ibuprofen, naproxen, and prescription Cox-2 inhibitors such as Celebrex are sometimes used to treat arthritis.

How To Determine What Is Causing Your Acid Reflux

The best way to determine what is causing your acid reflux is to keep a notebook to figure out what your triggers are. If you experience pain after eating certain foods, write that down. Your journal should include the following information.

• What you ate, and drink for breakfast
• What you ate, and drink for lunch
• What you ate, and drink for supper
• What medications did you take and what time
• Any snacks between meals
• How long after your last meal before bedtime
• Does it only bother you when you go to bed at night

Learning and figuring out what your triggers are is the best way to avoid them and the heartburn. If it turns out to be one of your medications, you should talk to your doctor about it or find a different alternative solution.

What Foods Trigger Acid Reflux?

The top three triggers that affect many people with heartburn are eating fatty foods, large portions, and late-night meals close to bedtime. Here is a list of several foods and drinks that can trigger heartburn and cause the lower esophageal sphincter to relax, allowing the stomach acids to creep up and cause reflux.

List Of Foods And Drinks

• Tomatoes
• Tomato-based sauces
• Garlic, raw onions, and other spicy foods
• Chili powder and pepper (white, black, cayenne)
• Potato chips and other processed snacks
• Fried food
• Chocolate
• Peppermint
• Coffee and caffeinated drinks, including tea and soda
• Cheese
• Alcohol, particularly red wine
• Fast food
• Citrus fruits and products, such as lemons, oranges, and orange juice
• Pizza
• Fatty meats such as bacon and sausage

However, if these foods are not causing you any unnecessary problems, you should not have to avoid them. The best way to prevent heartburn after eating is not to overeat and not right before bedtime.

Allow at least 2 hours to digest your food before lying down. It will give the food time to pass out of the stomach and into the small intestine instead of backing up into the esophagus. Lying down makes digestion difficult and makes heartburn more likely.

What Foods Help With Acid Reflux?

Eat more high fibrous foods that make you feel full, so you are less likely to overeat. Here are a few foods high in fiber Whole Grains, Oatmeal, Brown Rice, Carrots, Sweet Potatoes, Beets, Broccoli, Asparagus, and Green Beans.

Eating more foods that contain a lot of water can dilute and weaken stomach acids. These foods can include Celery, Cucumber, Lettuce, Spinach, Broccoli, Brussel sprouts, Melons, Oranges, Apples, Broth-based soups, and Herbal teas.

Eat more foods that are of a higher pH scale (an indicator of acid levels). Those that have a low pH are acidic and more likely to cause reflux. Those with higher pH are alkaline and can help offset strong stomach acid. Alkaline foods can include Bananas, Melons, Cauliflower, Fennel, and Nuts.

Acid Reflux Medications List

There are three main types of medications for Heartburn, Acid Reflux, and GERD. Proton Pump Inhibitors, Promotility Agents, and Histamine-2 (H2 Blockers). I will cover each in more detail below.

• Dexlansoprazole (Dexilant) – Proton Pump Inhibitor
• Lansoprazole (Prevacid) – Proton Pump Inhibitor
• Rabeprazole (Aciphex) – Proton Pump Inhibitor
• Pantoprazole (Protonix) – Proton Pump Inhibitor 
• Omeprazole (Prilosec, Zegerid) – Proton Pump Inhibitor
• Esomeprazole (Nexium) – Proton Pump Inhibitor
• Metoclopramide (Reglan) – Promotility Agents
• Cimetidine (Tagamet) – H2 Blocker
• Famotidine (Pepcid) – H2 Blocker
• *Nizatidine (Axid) – H2 Blocker
• *Ranitidine (Zantac) – H2 Blocker 

*NOTE AXID: The oral solution is being recalled due to potential amounts of N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) exceeding the levels established by the FDA. NDMA is classified as a probable human carcinogen (a substance that could cause cancer)

*NOTE ZANTAC: was removed from the market in 2020 because it was found to contain cancer-causing agents.

Proton Pump Inhibitors

Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) are the most commonly prescribed medications for the use of heartburn and other acid-related problems. How they work is to reduce the amount of acid made by your stomach. PPIs are best taken an hour before meals.

Proton Pump Inhibitors Include:

Name: Dexlansoprazole (Dexilant)

Prescription Required: Yes 

Recommended For: Used for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). 

Possible Side Effects:

• Joint pain
• Irregular or racing heartbeat or pulse
• Chest pains
• Stomach pains
• Incoherent speech
• Numbness
• Burning, itching, or tingling pains

Name: Lansoprazole (Prevacid)

Prescription Required: Yes

Recommended For: used to treat and prevent stomach and intestinal ulcers, erosive esophagitis (damage to the esophagus from stomach acid)

Possible Side Effects:

• Headaches
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Stomach pain
• Dizziness
• Tired feeling
• Itchy skin rashes

Name: Rabeprazole (Aciphex)

Prescription Required: Yes

Recommended For: used to treat certain stomach and esophagus problems such as acid reflux, ulcers, and heartburn.

Possible Side Effects:

• Gas
• Headache
• Infection
• Stomach pain
• Diarrhea
• Sore throat
• Constipation

Name: Pantoprazole (Protonix)

Prescription Required: Yes

Recommended For: used to treat erosive esophagitis (damage to the esophagus from stomach acid caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD)

Possible Side Effects:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Gas
• Joint pain
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness

Name: Omeprazole (Prilosec, Zegerid)

Prescription Required: Available in prescription and over the counter.

Recommended For: used to treat frequent heartburn and acid reflux.

Possible Side Effects:

• Muscle aches or cramps
• Difficult, burning, or painful urination
• Back, leg, or stomach pains
• Blisters
• Mouth ulcers
• Itching, skin rash
• Bleeding or sores on the lips

Name: Esomeprazole (Nexium)

Prescription Required: Yes/No A prescription is sometimes needed.

Recommended For: used to treat (GERD) and other conditions involving excessive stomach acid such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

Possible Side Effects:

• Headache
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Gas
• Stomach pain
• Constipation
• Dry mouth

Promotility Agents for Heartburn and Reflux

Promotility agents work by stimulating the muscles of the gastrointestinal tract. Which may help prevent acids from staying in the stomach too long, and strengthening the lower esophageal sphincter, reducing reflux into the esophagus.

Name: Metoclopramide (Reglan)

Prescription Required: Yes

Recommended For: used to treat heartburn associated with GERD.

Possible Side Effects:

• Drowsiness
• Fatigue
• Diarrhea
• Restlessness
• Mobility problems

Histamine-2 (H2 Blockers) for Heartburn and Reflux

H2 blockers can generally relieve heartburn and treat reflux, especially if you have never had treatment before. These drugs are useful at alleviating heartburn but may not be as good for treating esophagitis inflammation in the esophagus due to GERD. Histamine stimulates acid production, especially after meals. So H2 blockers are best taken 30 minutes before meals. Or at bedtime to suppress nighttime production of acid.

H2 Blockers Include:

Name: Cimetidine (Tagamet)

Prescription Required: Yes/No There is an over the counter version

Recommended For: a stomach acid reducer used to treat heartburn.

Possible Side Effects:

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Sleepiness
• Enlarged breasts in men
• Confusion (elderly)
• impotence
• Diarrhea
• Nausea

Name: Famotidine (Pepcid)

Prescription Required: Yes/No There is an over the counter version.

Recommended For: used to treat stomach ulcers (gastric and duodenal), erosive esophagitis (heartburn or acid indigestion)

Possible Side Effects:

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Constipation
• Diarrhea

Why Do I Get Acid Reflux At Night?

Why do some people get acid reflux at night when they go to bed? When you sit or stand, gravity helps move your food through the esophagus and into the stomach, where digestion occurs. When you are lying down, you lose the help of gravity in allowing your esophagus to clear food, bile, and acids.

Quick Tip: If you are experiencing acid reflux or heartburn when you lay down at night, try elevating the head of your bed up 3 or 4 inches by placing something under the feet of the bed so that you are sleeping on a slight incline.

The Holistic Approach To Acid Reflux

Naturopathic doctors and the holistic approach usually start by treating heartburn, and acid reflux with lifestyle recommendations such as eating an anti-inflammatory diet. Adding fermented and cultured foods to your diet can help create a robust and diverse microbiome, which reduces inflammation, supports immune function, as well as cognition and mood.

If Heartburn Or Acid Reflux Is A Problem, Consider The Following:

1. Try to slim down if you are overweight.
2. Monitor and Avoid trigger foods that irritate your stomach.
3. Take a walk after a large meal.
4. Try smaller meals and avoid eating late.
5. Drink between meals, not with meals.
6. Do not overuse alcohol or tobacco.
7. Do not lie down right after eating.
8. Adopt stress management practices.
9. Try adding a splash of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice to your water.
10. When symptoms are very uncomfortable, consider bland foods like oatmeal.

Here Are Some Natural Alternative Treatments You Could Try Instead Of Medications:

• Melatonin: generated in the gastrointestinal tract, has a mucosal protective effect inhibiting gastric acid secretion.

• Curcumin: in addition to the use of curcumin as an anti-inflammatory in ancient times, it has been used to treat gastrointestinal (GI) diseases such as indigestion, flatulence, diarrhea, and even gastric and duodenal ulcers.

• Slippery Elm: the mucilage of Slippery elm coats the esophagus and may help prevent the irritation and inflammation that occurs when stomach acid flows up the esophagus.

• Zinc Carnosine: may be useful in patients who do not have gastric ulcers but have heartburn or other symptoms as a result of gastroesophageal reflux.

• Aloe vera juice: is primarily used for the treatment of acid reflux disease, increased stomach acidity, or inflammatory bowel disease.

• Ginger Root: naturally soothes the stomach and can help reduce the production of stomach acid.

• Licorice Root: is a natural anti-inflammatory that helps soothe mucous membranes, and studies have found that it quickens the healing of intestinal ulcers.

What Is A Home Remedy For Acid Reflux?

The following home remedies might provide some quick relief for heartburn and acid reflux symptoms. However, they are not a cure for what is causing your problems.

Baking Soda: Mix a teaspoon of baking soda into a glass of warm water and drink it. It should help to neutralize the acid.

Non-Fat Milk: can act as a temporary buffer between the stomach lining and acidic stomach contents and provide immediate relief of heartburn symptoms.

Low-Fat Yogurt: has the same soothing qualities as non-fat milk along with a healthy dose of probiotics (good bacteria that enhance digestion).

Ginger Tea: Ginger is one of the best digestive aids because of its medicinal properties. It’s alkaline in nature and anti-inflammatory, which eases irritation in the digestive tract. Try sipping ginger tea when you feel heartburn coming on.

Chamomile Tea: has a calming effect that helps stop the burning pain, so it doesn’t move up from your stomach into the middle of your chest, and your throat.

Lemon Water: Lemon juice is considered very acidic, but a small amount of lemon juice mixed with warm water and honey has an alkalizing effect that neutralizes stomach acid.

Apples: Some suggest that eating an apple after a meal or before bedtime may help neutralize the acid by creating an alkaline environment in the stomach. Sweet apples are thought to work better than sour varieties.

What Is The Real Truth About Acid Reflux?

Indigestion is not caused by excess acid in the stomach, nor is acid reflux. The worst treatment for these problems is taking an antacid, whether prescribed or not. Almost everything we were told about heartburn and other common stomach ailments is wrong.

Being acidic is the natural state of the stomach. So, there is no such thing as an excess of acid or acid buildup regarding the stomach. The truth about most stomach disorders is that they are caused by not having enough acid.

The truth behind acid reflux and indigestion is that when the stomach is lacking in acid, it must churn violently to make the best use of its limited acid. And this causes pressure and back-flows of the existing acid. The combination of the back-flows into the esophagus and the stomach’s cramping action is what causes pain. And this is why taking apple cider vinegar works for a lot of people.

Try an experiment the next time that you are having indigestion problems. And give your stomach the acid that it needs. Take a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar from a glass container instead of plastic, and chase it with a glass of water. Or try taking either Apple cider vinegar, Lemon, or Lime juice in some water before meals to see if the issue is being caused by, low stomach acids.

Common Symptoms And Disorders Associated With Low Stomach Acids

Here is a list of symptoms and disorders associated with having low stomach acids.

• Bloating 
• Belching 
• Flatulence immediately after meals 
• Heartburn  
• Indigestion 
• Diarrhea, or Constipation 
• Undigested food in stools 
• Acne 
• Rectal itching 
• Chronic Candida 
• Hair loss in women 
• Multiple food allergies 
• Iron deficiency 
• Weak, peeling, or cracked fingernails
• Chronic fatigue 
• Adrenal fatigue 
• Dry skin 
• Various autoimmune diseases

How Can Acid Reflux Be Cured?

The best approach to curing your heartburn and acid reflux would be to figure out what your trigger foods are and avoiding them by keeping a journal. It is a matter of process by elimination.

Try eating a healthier diet with more alkaline and high fibrous foods, as mentioned above. Those who have trouble digesting high protein and high-fat foods should start taking digestive enzymes. High-fat and high-protein foods are the most difficult to digest.

Taking digestive enzymes alongside meals allows the pancreas to perform its other tasks more efficiently, and gives it an opportunity, to heal itself. Those with chronic and severe digestive problems are likely to benefit from digestive enzymes.

If you suffer mostly at night when you lay down to sleep, make sure before going to bed to wait at least 2 hours after you eat your last meal. Try elevating the head of your bed so that gravity works in your favor.

If you find out that certain medications you are taking as the main culprit. Then you will need to talk with your doctor about maybe changing your prescription.

My Final Thoughts

I hope you found this article on What Is A Home Remedy For Acid Reflux informative and beneficial. As always, I am here to help and be of service if I can. If you suffer from heartburn or acid reflux. I would enjoy hearing your experiences so that it might help my readers to make a better-informed decision.

Warmest regards, Dale – The Hillbilly Shaman