A natural approach to treating GERD

Gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) is a chronic digestive problem that is characterized by frequently recurring symptoms such as acid reflux and heartburn. Digestive conditions, such as GERD, are often caused by a problem with the digestive acids in your stomach. As such, many people may choose to treat their digestive problems with acid-blocking medication. However, these acid blockers tend to offer no effective solution and may only result in a number of unwanted side effects. Fortunately, there are ways to treat GERD naturally. You can use any of these natural remedies to alleviate the symptoms of GERD without the risk of any adverse side effects:

Eliminating the natural causes of GERD

One of the best ways to solve a health problem is to address the root cause of it. Before trying anything else, it is important to make healthy lifestyle changes. This eliminates the reasons why GERD happens in the first place. Some of these causes may include overeating, eating too quickly, and consuming excessive amounts of unhealthy foods, such as sweets, fried foods, carbonated and caffeinated beverages, or alcohol. Instead, you can try reducing the size of your meal portions, eating slowly in a calm environment, chewing food thoroughly, and limiting your intake of unhealthy foods. You should also avoid eating within two hours of your bedtime or even lying down immediately after eating. This can push the contents of your stomach back up again and put pressure on your esophageal sphincter.

Baking soda

You can neutralize rising stomach acids with just a little baking soda and some water. All you have to do is to drink a mixture of eight ounces of water and a teaspoon of baking soda. Drink a glass of this solution whenever you feel the first signs of a burning sensation in your esophagus or other GERD symptoms. However, it is important to limit this remedy to seven doses a day at most; otherwise, its high salt content might undo any health benefits you might receive from this remedy. (Related: 5 Top Acid Reflux Natural Remedies by Health Experts.)

Chewing gum

Relieve the symptoms of GERD by chewing on some sugar-free chewing gum for 30 minutes after eating. In a study published the Journal of Dental Research, the researchers concluded that chewing on a piece of gum can increase saliva production by stimulating the salivary glands. The extra saliva can help wash away any unwanted stomach acids.

Eating plenty of fruits with natural antacid properties

Some people might try to treat GERD by blocking the digestive process with antacids, but there is a healthier way to this. A natural alternative would be to consume plenty of fruits that already possess natural antacid properties. Some examples of these fruits may include bananas, apples, honeydews, cantaloupes, and watermelons. At the same time, you will want to avoid fruits that have a high acidic content, such as oranges, grapefruits, pineapples, and other citrus fruits.

Drinking ginger and chamomile tea

Ginger is known as a common folk remedy for treating nausea and other stomach ailments. Chronic acid reflux is no exception to this. To alleviate the symptoms of GERD, you can simmer a few slices of ginger root in water for around 30 minutes to make a soothing tea. Drink this tea before eating your meals. Chronic stress may also lead to heartburn. Chamomile tea is useful for relieving stress and balancing the acidity levels of your stomach. If you can get some chamomile petals, you can make your own chamomile tea by simmering the petals in boiling water for around 45 seconds. Drink this tea around an hour before bedtime.

Learn more natural remedies for treating GERD and other health conditions by going to Remedies.news.

Sources include:

NaturalHealth365.com

FisherTitus.org