Home Remedies for Acid Reflux Disease - Gum to Apple Cider Vinegar

By Andrew Bicknell - 2008-03-04

There are many people who suffer the effects of acid reflux disease, a disorder in which the contents of the stomach including gastric acids are regurgitated back up into the esophagus and throat.

Those who suffer from its effects know the symptoms well; heartburn, pain or burning in the throat, bitter taste at the back of the throat, difficulty swallowing, chronic cough, and hoarseness caused by damage to the larynx. Fortunately for most people simple home remedies for acid reflux disease can usually control the problem.

Many people mistakenly think that acid reflux, or GERD (gastro-esophageal reflux disease), is caused by the production of to much stomach acid.

While stomach acid is the main cause of the symptoms experienced the reason it gets back into the esophagus is the failure of 3 specific points in the esophagus; the anti-reflux barrier, the lower esophageal sphincter, and the gastroesophageal valve. If any one of these three barriers is weakened or fails acid has the opportunity to move back up the esophagus.

Probably the best home remedy to keep acid reflux at bay is eating a healthy diet that minimizes the production of stomach acid.

One way to find out which foods make the symptoms worse is to keep a food log for a few weeks. Keep track of which foods set off the acid reflux and then it becomes easier to avoid them, or at least eat them in moderation. This list can vary from person to person but there are some foods that are known to cause acid reflux symptoms in the majority of its sufferers. These include fatty foods, spicy foods, certain spices, some citrus fruits, and caffeine.

One of the more unknown remedies for acid reflux is apple cider vinegar. In addition to treating GERD apple cider vinegar is also rumored to help with weight loss, acne, cholesterol, constipation, and heartburn. It is believed that the acidity of the vinegar mimics the acid in your stomach helping to more easily digest the food that has been eaten. The best way to take apple cider vinegar is just before or with your meal. One tablespoon mixed with water works best but make sure to use the organic variety, which still has the enzymes in it.

There are also certain fruits and vegetables that have a calming effect on the stomach can help control the symptoms of acid reflux. These include bananas, apples, figs, pineapple and papaya along with carrots and cabbage. Cinnamon, cardamom, mace, nutmeg, and slippery elm are a few herbs and spices that also help reduce the effects of GERD.

Chewing gum is another quick remedy for acid reflux. It works by increasing saliva output and saliva is the body's natural ant-acid. As you swallow the excess saliva produced by chewing gum it settles the stomach and reduces the amount of acid being produced.

If you or someone you know suffers from acid reflux disease then trying some of these home remedies may provide relief from the symptoms. It is important to talk to your doctor about your GERD and get a thorough check up because if not properly treated it can damage the esophagus and can eventually cause a form of throat cancer.