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ACID REFLUX - HEARTBURN - I HAD IT! I Fixed IT! ...using simple acid reflux diet and some natural acid reflux remedies! IT'S NOT THAT TOUGH!

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Understanding Acid Reflux - Signs & Symptoms of Acid Reflux & Heartburn
Heartburn is a condition in which the liquid content of the stomach backs up (refluxes) into the esophagus. The most common and persistent symptom of Heartburn is a burning sensation centered in the middle of the chest and/or throat, brought on by stomach acid that churns up onto the lining of the esophagus.

Acid Reflux, also known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), is a condition which has many symptoms that are similar to heartburn. In many cases, people suffering from Acid Reflux typically suffer from persistent heartburn two or more days per week. In the long term, this can be very serious since, over time, the reflux of stomach acid can erode or wear away the delicateesophagus lining. This can then lead to scar tissue, which causes swallowing problems.

GERD has also been linked to an increased risk of esophageal cancer. However, some people have Acid Reflux without heartburn. In such cases, symptoms include chest pain, wheezing, coarseness in the throat, breathing problems, a bitter taste in the mouth, dry coughing, interrupted sleep, tightness in the throat, and halitosis or bad breath. Acid reflux can also lead to regurgitation of acid into the mouth, often due to overeating or bending down or going to bed right after a meal. Despite its name, heartburn actually has nothing to do with the heart, although some heart problems may give rise to a similar burning sensation; it is called heartburn because of a burning sensation near where the heart is located.

The pain associated with acid reflux is due to the presence of acid in the esophagus. Acid is produced in the stomach as an aid to digestion and is not intended to be present in the esophagus. Unlike the stomach's lining, which can tolerate very high concentrations of acid, the presence of acid in the esophagus eats away at the lining of the esophagus and causes pain. Acid reflux does not occur because there is too much acid created by the stomach, but because the muscular barrier or valve between the esophagus and the stomach opens prematurely allowing acid, bile and other stomach contents into the esophagus.The name of this muscular barrier is the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES).

When the LES doesn't stay closed or when it opens at the wrong time, reflux can occur. In many cases, acid reflux medications known as PPI's (proton pump inhibitors) such as Nexium and Prilosec work well enough at reducing acid levels that the pain goes away. Unfortunately, PPI's don't help reinforce the LES, and in some cases surgery may be required. According to research conducted by the American Gastroenterological Association, 38% of PPI users experience break-through pain while taking PPI's.

The most common causes of Acid Reflux and Heartburn include:
•bad eating habits
•stress
•some antidepressants and sedatives
•elevated hormone levels during pregnancy
•eating before going to bed
•eating large meals
•slower emptying of the stomach
•frequently eating greasy, fried, and fatty foods
•smoking
•alcohol
•drinking lots of bubbly (carbonated) beverages such as soda
•diseases that weaken the esophageal muscle (such as scleroderma, mixed connective tissue disease, or hiatal hernias)

	Good And Bad Foods When It Come To Acid Reflux / Heartburn Certain foods can aggravate your heartburn symptoms, and when planning your acid reflux diet, it's best to limit or avoid completely those foods and drinks that result in acid reflux. There are some foods that should be avoided entirely, as they are usually responsible for a higher occurrence of heartburn. The foods listed in the Table below are the most common foods that can produce heartburn. This is by no means a complete list, and in your personal situation, you may either find you can eat the foods from the "Avoid" group with no problem or have problems with foods not listed. It is a good idea to keep a Food Diary. For approximately two weeks, write down what you eat, when you eat and any symptoms you may experience. This will help you and your doctor plan your diet and decide on any change in eating habits you may need.

Below is a list of safe foods for heartburn, which are also known as good foods for heartburn. Whether you suffer from chronic heartburn or from occasional heartburn symptoms, this list of safe foods is ideal for creating a heartburn diet. While this isn't an exhaustive list, it does provide a basis for you to create a few meals for heartburn. Fruits: Bananas, Fresh or Dried Apples Vegetables: Broccoli, Cabbage, and Carrots Meats: Lean Ground Beef, Skinless chicken breasts Dairy: Fat free cream cheese, Feta or goat cheese Grains: Corn bread, Multi-grain or white bread, Bran Beverages: Mineral water Fats & Oils: Low-fat salad dressing Sweets: Red licorice and Jelly beans It's important to remember that this is not a complete list of the safe foods for heartburn sufferers. It's a list of foods to start with and to add to as you find new safe foods for you. This list is important for you to be heartburn free, but the list of Bad Foods For Heartburn are equally important for acid reflux/heartburn relief. Here's what you need to know about the top 10 heartburn foods Foods to Eat, Foods to Avoid Heartburn and Tangy Citrus Fruits Oranges, grapefruits and orange juice are classic heartburn foods. "These are very acidic," says Robynne Chutkan, MD. Chutkan is the founder of the Digestive Center for Women in Chevy Chase, Md. and a gastroenterologist at Georgetown Hospital in Washington, D.C. "As a result of being so acidic," she says, "they are likely to cause heartburn, especially when consumed on an otherwise empty stomach." Heartburn and Tomatoes While they might be chockfull of healthy nutrients like lycopene, Chutkan tells WebMD that tomatoes are also highly acidic and likely to cause heartburn in those who are prone to it. The acid antidote may be a sour ball, according to Daniel Mausner, MD. Mausner is the section head of gastroenterology at Mercy Medical Center in Rockville Center, N.Y. "Things that promote saliva -- like sour balls -- are good for acid reflux," he says, "because saliva neutralizes the acid that comes up from your stomach." Heartburn and Garlic and Onion Bonnie Taub-Dix, MA, RD, says, "Some people with heartburn do not do well with either garlic or onion." Taub-Dix, a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association, is a nutritionist in private practice in New York City and Woodmere, N.Y. "It's all very individual," she says. For avoiding heartburn, she offers the following suggestion: "Keep a food log to help you track the foods that are your heartburn offenders, and try to develop a list of safe foods." Foods like broiled chicken, baked sweet potatoes, toast, or cottage cheese, she says, are on the safe side of the heartburn food list. Heartburn and Spicy Foods Pepper, Mexican food, chili, and any other food that is loaded with pepper or other spices can trigger heartburn, says Deepa A. Vasudevan, MD. Vasudevan is an assistant professor of family medicine at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston. He tells WebMD that avoiding heartburn isn't necessarily a matter of all or nothing. "If spicy food triggers your heartburn, avoid it. Then slowly reintroduce milder versions of whatever you like." Heartburn and Peppermint Chutkan says that while many people think peppermint is soothing for the tummy, it is actually a heartburn trigger food. Her advice? Skip the after-dinner mints -- especially after a rich meal. "They may be good for your breath on a date," she says, "but they are not so good if you are prone to heartburn." Peppermint may increase your chances of heartburn because it relaxes the sphincter muscle that lay between the stomach and esophagus. This allows stomach acids to flow back into the esophagus. Heartburn and Cheese, Nuts, Avocadoes, and a Juicy Rib Eye What do these foods have in common? They are all high in fat, according to Chutkan. "These foods may not get as much press as acidic foods when it comes to heartburn," she says, "but they can be major triggers." Here's why: Fat slows down the emptying of the stomach, so there is more opportunity for a big distended stomach -- which increases pressure on the esophageal sphincter -- to make heartburn more likely. Chutkan says that doesn't mean you can never have those foods again. "Don't have a cheese plate at the end of a meal," she suggests. "Instead, eat it early in the day when you are not already full." Remember, a serving of cheese is roughly the size of two dice. Heartburn and Alcohol Wine, beer, or your favorite cocktail can all trigger heartburn, says Chutkan, especially when they are imbibed with a large meal. "If you have a meal of steak, creamed spinach, and lobster bisque and then alcohol on top of that," she says, "you may be in for it." Taub-Dix agrees. "A glass of red wine may not be a big deal on its own," she points out. "But if you also have tomato sauce on your pasta and a glass of orange juice in the morning on an empty stomach, it could be a problem." Like peppermint, alcohol opens the sphincter, allowing the acid free range. Heartburn and Caffeine Coffee, soda, tea, iced tea, and any other food or beverages that contain caffeine are big offenders. But java junkies don't have to give up their Joe forever, Chutkan tells WebMD. "It's not 'no coffee ever' if you have heartburn. It's about cutting down and paying attention to portion sizes. A Starbucks tall," she explains, "which is their version of a small, is like three cups of coffee. Some people tell me they drink two cups of coffee a day and that they get it at Starbucks. That's like six cups a day." If you have heartburn, you can likely consume a 3- or 4-ounce cup of coffee each morning with no problem. But if you guzzle coffee all day long, then, yes, heartburn is a consequence. Heartburn and Chocolate Sure, it can be loaded with caffeine, but chocolate can also be a heartburn food in and of itself. "Pack up all of your chocolate and give it to your gastroenterologist for safekeeping if you have heartburn," Chutkan says. Chocolate relaxes the sphincter, allowing stomach acids to flow back into the esophagus, she says. Heartburn and Carbonated Beverages "Carbonated beverages cause gastric distension," Mausner says. And if your stomach is distended, this increases pressure on the esophageal sphincter, promoting reflux." He tells WebMD that people with heartburn may be wise to steer clear of pop and other carbonated beverages. Heartburn Foods: Find Your Triggers Taub-Dix's advice is to use the above list as a guide to help you figure out your heartburn foods and heartburn trigger situations. And remember, she cautions, even if your favorites are not on this list, you don't necessarily have a free pass. "Too much of any food can trigger heartburn," she says. It's not just what you eat; it's how much you eat and when you eat it. "Consuming a large meal right before you lie down," she says, "will likely cause heartburn even if it doesn't include any of these heartburn foods." Top 10 Natural Remedies for Acid Reflux (Consult Your Doctor Before Following Any Suggestions On This Website) More and more people suffer from acid reflux, but many of us aren't excited about the prospect of going on medication permanently. If you want to see what home remedies are out there, this page provides a few recommendations. These natural remedies are not listed in any particular order. On the contrary, it is highly likely that only some of them, if any, will work for you. Acid reflux is a highly individual condition that takes many different forms and has many different causes, and a remedy that works wonders for one person, does nothing for another, or might even make another person feel worse. Treatment is therefore a trial and error process: you try a suggestion and see whether it works for you, and if it doesn't you try something else. I realize this is a rather frustrating prospect but unfortunately, there is no other way. Also, you should always remember that these are home remedies, and this article does not dispense qualified medical advice. If your symptoms persist or even worsen, I strongly recommend that you consult your physician. 1. Drink a glass of milk. Even though opinions differ on whether it should be whole or skim milk, this is an accepted and often recommended measure for immediate relief for heartburn and acid reflux. 2. Drink water. The water will dilute the stomach acid and wash down anything that might be planning on defying gravity, so a big glass ort wo of water after your meal might do the trick. 3. Chew almonds. A few almonds, taken in the morning and/or after meals, chewed very well, have been hailed as the new miracle treatment for acid reflux by some people. 4. Chamomile or fennel tea. The soothing effects of chamomile or fennel tea are also known to provide acid reflux relief. The tea should best be sipped, not gulped, and should be of a moderate temperature, not too hot or cold. 5. Eat an apple. Eating an apple after a meal has also been found to alleviate acid reflux. Choose organic apples and chew well. 6. Candied ginger. Chew a piece when you're feeling the acid reflux kick in. You can also put a piece of candied ginger in your tea and let it sit for a bit before drinking it if you don't like eating candied ginger. 7. Apple cider vinegar. Swallow two to three table spoons undiluted for an acute attack, or dissolve the same amount in warm water to drink to prevent acid reflux from recurring. 8. Papaya enzyme. Available in the form of papaya enzyme pills, this enzyme has helped end acid reflux symptoms for some people. 9. Aloe. Despite its consistency which takes some getting used to, aloe juice also is some acid reflux patients favorite remedy. 10. Chew gum. After your meals, chew sugarless gum for 30 minutes. This stimulates saliva production which in turn like water that you drink dilutes the contents of your stomach and helps wash down anything from your esophagus into your stomach. Other Home Remedies and Natural Cures for Acid Reflux Treatment Acid Reflux Home Remedy Using Apple Cider Vinegar Apple Cider Vinegar is an amazing remedy for Acid Reflux. It may sound bizarre to drink an acid as a cure for an acid problem, but there are good acids and bad acids and Apple Cider Vinegar is among the good ones. •Add 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to 1/2 glass of water. •Sip this glass of water while eating your dinner. Herbal Remedy for Acid Reflux Using Ginger Root Ginger Root is an amazing natural herb that is known to absorb stomach acid and have the secondary effect of calming the nerves. For an effective natural remedy from the symptoms of acid reflux, try the following: •Purchase ginger root capsules from a natural health food or nutritional store. •Regularly take one capsule immediately after dinner. Natural Cure for Acid Reflux Using Fennel Seeds Fennel seed is an aromatic but powerful herb that helps in digestive conditions and has many other benefits. Fennel seeds contain a compound known as Anethole, which is known to suppress spasms of the stomach or gastrointestinal tract spasms. Therefore, it is considered to be an effective remedy for Acid Reflux. •Take half a tea spoon of Fennel Seeds and chew them slowly after your meals. Using Anise and Lavender Tea as a Remedy for Heartburn Here is a tea that you can make to help relieve the symptoms of heartburn, since it reduces the amount of acid you have in your stomach. Note that some variants of this remedy suggest adding peppermint, but this is NOT recommended since peppermint is known to relax the LES (described earlier), which is exactly what you don't want to do. •Mix together equal amounts of aniseed and lavender. •Boil 2 1/2 cups of distilled water. •Pour the boiling water over a teaspoon of the herbal mixture. •Let this tea sit for 3 to 5 minutes. •Strain the tea and add a little bit of honey as a natural sweetener. •Drink up to 8 oz of this tea in the morning and 8 oz in the evening to get relief from acid reflux or heartburn. Other home remedies posted by people on blogs (not recommended for all, please consult your doctor) #1 drink a small can of saurkraut juice! It works for me for a full 24 hours and heals erosin and ulcers. I also get a small glass of water, sugar, mix baking soda, mix, white vinager, mix and drink while still fizzing. It works for a while and does not taste bad if you mix it right. I also heard but not tried equal parts of cinnamon and honey in warm water is what they use in eastern countries. But the suarkraut is the best nutralizer!!!! And it cools. I get so bad I bleed and it does not hurt. #2 Hazelwood is an ancient remedy first used by aboriginal people. It has the medicinal property of neutralizing the body’s acidity. It relieves or prevents acid-related ailments such as ulcers, acid reflux, and heartburn. Hazelwood is worn as a necklace, and in order to receive a therapeutic benefit, the hazelwood necklace must come in direct contact with the skin and be worn as much as possible, including overnight. #3 1 level tsp. BAKING SODA mixed into a glass of lukewarm water, chug, burp a few times, and feel the relief. Ahhhhh! Chase with a cool glass of water if desired. Process may be repeated for severe cases. My great grandfather taught my grandma this, and she taught me. The other day I saw an episode of Food Detectives on the Food Network and they tried several known home remedies and over-the-counter remedies as well, and it so happens that BAKING SODA (an Alkaline) was shown to be the most effective. As we all learned in high school chemistry class, Acid is neutralized by Alkaline. #4 drink some dill pickle juice it works for some people ALL NATURAL TREATMENT FOR ACID RELUX / HEARTBURN Some of the Organic Natural Pills That Helps Dr. Spreen shares the details of a natural therapy. He has often recommended the following to successfully treat heartburn – a welcome alternative to Prilosec and other heartburn medications. Here’s Dr. Spreen in his own words........ Kicking out the purple This is so sorry of an issue that it gives me reflux. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve stopped ‘heartburn,’ ‘reflux,’ ‘acid indigestion,’ whatevernow it’s called ‘GERD’ [GastroEsophageal Reflux Disease] to make it really official! If everyone would just give me $1500/year to stop it, I’ll pay for the supplements myself and retire a VERY wealthy man with what’s left (and improve the patient’s digestion at the same time). The solution is ridiculously simple (and cheap). Using readily available acidophilus and digestive enzymes I stop over 2/3 of all cases. The more difficult cases (that may include overt ulcers, etc.) may involve a more aggressive approach, but omitting really serious GI illness the results are nearly always extremely positive. ‘Reflux’ (or any of the other scary sounding names) is nothing more than acid slipping past the junction of the stomach and esophagus. The stomach is designed for it, the esophagus is nothence a trap door (sphincter) at the intersection (called the GE, or GastroEsophageal junction) set in place to keep the two areas separated. Acid essentials People act like (from propaganda on TV) stomach acid is some kind of mistake on mother nature’s part. How many times in my practice have I had to repeat that ACID IS SUPPOSED TO BE DOWN THEREWE NEED IT! Here’s the kicker: if you ‘kill it off’ (using antacids, acid blockers, etc.) the body, in its wisdom, saves the energy required to protect the esophagus from the stomach’s (normally) more acid environment and weakens the GE sphincter. This allows any remaining acid to sometimes slip past and irritate the esophagus. So, you take an antacid (or whateverwe have so many choices these days) and you feel better, because you lessen even more what little acid remains that has been irritating your already sensitive esophagus. The above association reinforces that you need more antacid next time, since it helps in the short term. So look what’s happening – the short term ‘fix’ assures that the problem will continue (and even worsen). Is that not the most beautiful trick? The ‘cure’ assures its own increasing necessityit’s positively brilliant (and diabolical). And don’t think for an instant that I’m the only one who’s figured it out (and I make no money on the system). Acidophilus & enzymes Acidophilus supplements (powder form, the liquid tastes awful) protect the esophagus without killing acid (while killing the pain almost immediately). The hassle is, you have to keep it handy and take it often if you don’t solve the whole problem, which involves tightening the GE sphincter. That can be done using the English herbs (Potter’s Acidosis) or by improving the environment of the stomach, which then tightens the junction on its own but requires a bit more effort. When the stomach is low on acid it tends to also be low on digestive enzymes. Believe it or not, the solution (along with acidophilus protection) is to ADD acid and digestive enzymes at the same time. Remember, it isn’t acid that’s the problem (you need it desperately for digestion); it’s acid reaching the esophagus. Proper digestion allows for higher concentration of acid while tightening the GE junction and protecting the esophagus. I do that using Super Enzymes by TwinLab, two capsules at mid-meal. I hate to push just one company, but it’s one of the few enzymes that includes betaine hydrochloride, a plant-based form of acid like what’s in the stomach (you hope) – plus it’s available everywhere. I’m sure there are others. A trick with acidophilus capsules is that, with reflux, you must open the capsule and let the saliva carry it down the throat to the stomach. Dose is no problem, as the supplement represents a sample of the billions of ‘good guy’ bacteria that you want in the GI (gastrointestinal) tract (and in which most people are woefully deficient). Look for caps measuring at least 1 billion (with a ‘B’) cfu (colony forming units). Licorice stick Occasionally the combo of acidophilus and digestive enzymes isn’t enough (that’s uncommon), or there is actual stomach trouble from low acid (the stomach’s defenses weaken over time, too, with decreased acid, such that irritation there can form and progress to an ulcersee how these things are connected?). Then, I add DGL, a form of licorice that has one component removed (DGL means De-Glycerrhizinated Licorice). I use Enzymatic Therapy brand but there are other good ones. Chewing or sucking on one 20 minutes before eating can be very helpful in difficult cases. Avoiding refined sugar and white flour products also seems to help. The Potter’s solution can be very effective; just bear in mind that it is a ‘fix’ that does not repair the altered state of the gastric environment. Killing off acid, however it’s done, is a serious mistake with long term consequences if pursued over time. Poor digestion is the genesis of all sorts of problems, in my opinionbut that’s just me. Good Health, Allan Spreen, MD Above Natural Remedy Worked For Me, with a bit change in my daily lifestyle and proper diet

How can I avoid acid reflux, or GERD?
Few patients develop complications from the disease. However, long-lasting and untreated GERD can lead to damage of the esophagus lining. The irritated lining also can result in a condition called Barrett's esophagus, which is a risk factor for cancer of the esophagus.

What is an acid reflux diet?
Reducing the incidence of acid reflux focuses more on life style changes, not just on diet alone. Lifestyle modifications are helpful in relieving symptoms. When it comes to diet, if you have the condition you should avoid the following foods because they tend to exacerbate acid reflux. An acid reflux diet focuses on eliminating the following:

.Spicy foods
.Fatty foods
.Acidic foods

What else reduces the risk for acid reflux?
Part of an acid reflux diet and healthy lifestyle includes quitting smoking. Quitting smoking definitely helps to reduce symptoms and is key to improving the condition. Reducing alcohol intake also is essential. For some people, losing weight can lessen symptoms as well, and their physician may recommend weight loss.

What else is essential to a acid reflux diet and lifestyle?
For immediate relief, your physician may recommend taking antacids. Your doctor can recommend the type of antacid to take and how often you should take it. In addition, over-the-counter acid blockers are available. For those with frequent reflux, meaning symptoms occur several times a week, more potent acid blockers prescribed by your physician are available. A surgical option, called laparoscopic fundoplication, is available for those who have severe reflux and for whom medications do not work.

How do I know if I have acid reflux?
Your doctor can determine if you have acid reflux by your symptoms and with testing.

How do I know if an acid reflux diet is right for me?
Avoiding certain foods as part of an acid reflux diet should come at the recommendation of your physician. Only your physician can determine if an acid reflux diet is right, or necessary, for you.

Meal Planning Tips to Prevent Heartburn

Make Wise Food Choices. Avoid foods and beverages that weaken the LES muscle. These include:
•Chocolate
•Peppermint
•Caffeinated beverages
•Alcohol
•Fatty foods
•Greasy or fried foods

Avoid foods and beverages that may irritate the esophagus. These include:
•Citrus fruits and juices
•Tomatoes and tomato-based products
•Chili peppers
•Black pepper

Eat smaller, more frequent meals
Eating large meals increases pressure in the stomach and against the LES muscle. Eating five or six small meals instead of three larger ones is better. And remember not to eat too quickly. Putting your fork or spoon down between bites can help you do this.
Avoid high-fat meals. High-fat foods tend to stay in the stomach longer.

Avoid spicy foods
Spicy foods are known to cause heartburn symptoms in many GERD patients.

Don't drink alcohol
Drinking alcohol before, during, or after meals can worsen heartburn because alcohol weakens the LES muscle.

After Meals
Don't smoke. Having that after-dinner cigarette can lead to an unpleasant episode of heartburn because the nicotine in the cigarette (and cigars or that favorite pipe tobacco) weakens the LES muscle.

Chew gum
Chewing gum after meals will stimulate saliva production. Saliva actually neutralizes stomach acid. It also increases peristalsis -- the contraction and relaxation of muscles that pushes food through the digestive tract and helps move stomach contents into the small intestine more quickly.

Drink water
Drinking a glass of lukewarm water or herbal tea after a meal can dilute and flush out stomach acid.

What, How and When You Eat
•Eat 6 smaller meals each day instead of 3 larger ones. This will help keep the stomach from becoming too full, and help prevent excessive production of stomach acid.

•If one of your meals ends up being larger than the others, aim to eat that meal for lunch instead of supper.

•Don't eat too quickly. One way to help you slow down while eating is to put your fork or spoon down between bites.

•Avoid bending over soon after eating. Bending at the waist increases pressure on the stomach, and can increase heartburn symptoms.

•Avoid late-night snacking. Eating shortly before going to bed can increase your chances of experiencing heartburn because of increased stomach acid levels.

•Wait at least two to three hours after eating to go to bed. Lying down with a full stomach can cause stomach contents to press harder against the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), increasing the chances of refluxed food.

•Limit the amount of citrus fruits, such as oranges and grapefruits, that you eat.

•Avoid spicy foods, and cut back on chili and pepper. Spicy foods are known to cause heartburn symptoms in many GERD patients.

•Limit acidic foods, such as tomatoes and oranges, as well as choices that are based on these foods (such as ketchup, spaghetti sauces, etc.)

•Stick with lean meats. Fattier meats are heartburn triggers for many people.

•Limit fried foods, especially if they are greasy. Greasy foods, such as French fries, can trigger heartburn.

•Limit the amount of chocolate you eat. No matter how good it tastes, chocolate is a heartburn trigger for many GERD sufferers.

•Avoid alcohol. Alcohol increases the production of stomach acid, and relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter (LES).

•Avoid caffeinated drinks, such as colas and coffee. Caffeine relaxes the LES, increasing the risk of acid reflux.

•Drink warm liquids. Drinking a glass of lukewarm water or herbal tea after a meal can dilute and flush out stomach acid.

•Drink plenty of water, which helps with digestion. Do not drink too much water at one time, however. This just increases the stomach contents and can actually worsen heartburn symptoms. It is better to drink smaller amounts throughout the day rather than large amounts less often.

Other Lifestyle Tips for Calming Nighttime Heartburn
•Sleep with your head and shoulders elevated. Lying flat allows stomach contents to press against the LES. Also, having the head higher than the stomach allows gravity to keep stomach contents where they belong.

•Sleep on your left side. Studies have shown that this position aids digestion and helps with the removal of stomach acid. Sleeping on the right side has been shown to worsen heartburn.

•Make sure your bed clothes are loose-fitting. Clothing that fits tightly around the abdomen -- such as tight belts and waistbands -- will squeeze the stomach, forcing food up against the LES. This can cause food to reflux into the esophagus.

•Stop smoking. Nicotine can weaken the LES. Smoking also stimulates the production of stomach acid.

•Take an antacid when heartburn hits. Antacids will work very quickly on heartburn you may be experiencing before you go to bed. If you are taking an antacid more than once or twice a week, you should see your doctor about another treatment plan.

•Lose weight. If you are overweight, the pressure of excess weight can increase the chance that stomach acid will back up into your esophagus.

•Relax! Stress may lead to an increase in stomach acid production. It is also known to lead to behaviors that can trigger heartburn, such as overeating.

•Get regular exercise, which can help with digestion. Just make sure to wait at least two hours after a meal before breaking a sweat. Exercising on a too-full stomach can trigger heartburn.

•Check your medications. Some medications can worsen heartburn symptoms, so talk to your doctor if you have any concerns.

Managing Stress to Prevent Heartburn - Stress May Make Heartburn Worse

More than half of people who suffer frequent heartburn say a hectic lifestyle and work-related stress increases their heartburn. While stress hasn't been linked directly to heartburn, it is known that it can lead to behaviors that can trigger heartburn. During stressful times, routines are disrupted and people may not follow their normal routines in regards to meals, exercise and medication. It is important to find ways to alleviate the stress, and thus make stress-related heartburn less likely.

Regular exercise
This not only helps to lower stress and increase your natural "feel-good" chemicals, known as endorphins, but also helps with digestion.

Sleep seven to eight hours a night
This is critical to keeping our stress level low. Studies have shown that sleep-deprived people have higher stress levels.

Eat balanced meals
By consuming plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables and fresh fish, you'll provide your brain and body with the necessary nutrients to help you perform under pressure. It is also important to avoid the foods that are your heartburn triggers.

Limit consumption of alcohol, caffeine, tobacco and sugar
Studies have shown that these substances cause the stress response to become heightened. Alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco are also heartburn triggers.

Visualization
Take a quick "mental break." Envision a favorite place in your mind; anyplace that makes you relax just thinking about it. This can be imagining a walk by the ocean, a drive through the mountains, or being on a hillside watching the sun set. Concentrating seeing, hearing, and smelling the things you imagine will help you relax.

Lifestyle Changes That Can Prevent Heartburn

Heartburn symptoms can often be relieved with good heartburn treatment, including a few lifestyle changes. Follow these suggestions to significantly reduce the occurrence of acid reflux symptoms.

Eat smaller, more frequent meals.
Large meals expand your stomach and increase upward pressure against the esophageal sphincter.

Limit your intake of acid-stimulating foods and beverages.
Eat foods that rarely cause heartburn and avoid those foods that will often cause heartburn.

Don't lie down for about two hours after you eat.
Gravity helps to keep the stomach juices from backing up into the esophagus and assists the flow of food and digestive juices from the stomach to the intestines.

Elevate your head a few inches while you sleep.
Lying down flat presses the stomach's contents against the LES. With the head higher than the stomach, gravity helps reduce this pressure. You can elevate your head in a couple of ways. You can place bricks, blocks or anything that's sturdy securely under the legs at the head of your bed. You can also use an extra pillow, or a wedge-shaped pillow, to elevate your head. Read this article for more tips on easing nighttime heartburn.

Maintain a reasonable weight.
Obesity increases abdominal pressure, which can then push stomach contents up into the esophagus. According to some statistics, approximately 35% of overweight persons experience heartburn. The good news is that for many people, as little as a 10% decrease in weight will improve their heartburn symptoms.

Don't smoke.
Nicotine relaxes the esophageal sphincter. Smoking also stimulates the production of stomach acid. Read this article to learn other ways smoking can worsen heartburn.

Don't drink alcohol.
If you still want to drink alcoholic beverages, follow these tips. Alcohol can have several unpleasant affects on heartburn sufferers, so it is best to avoid alcohol if you suffer from acid reflux. There are a few tips that may make it possible for you to enjoy alcoholic beverages -- if consumed in moderation.

Why Alcohol Makes Heartburn Worse
Alcohol consumption should be reduced or avoided because:
•Alcohol increases the production of stomach acid.
•Alcohol relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), allowing stomach contents to reflux back up into the esophagus.
•When the LES relaxes, it causes swallowing contractions to become erratic.
•Alcohol makes the esophagus more sensitive to stomach acid.
•Alcohol can lead to the development of peptic ulcers and interfere with the healing of ulcers already present.

If You'd Still Like the Occasional Alcoholic Beverage, To minimize alcohol's affect on your digestive system:
•Dilute alcoholic beverages with water or club soda.
•Drink moderate amounts of alcoholic beverages -- the suggested amounts are 1 to 2 mixed drinks, 12 to 16 ounces of wine, or 2 to 3 beers.
•When having wine, drink white wine instead of red.
•Choose non-alcoholic beer or wine.
•Keep track of which alcoholic drinks aggravate your heartburn, and avoid them as much as possible.

Relax.
While stress hasn't been linked directly to heartburn, it is known that it can lead to behaviors that can trigger heartburn. Follow these relaxation tips to alleviate stress, and thus make stress-related heartburn less likely.

Don't wear belts or clothes that are tight fitting around the waist.
Clothing that fits tightly around the abdomen will squeeze the stomach, forcing food up against the LES, and cause food to reflux into the esophagus. Clothing that can cause problems include tight-fitting belts and slenderizing undergarments.

Keep a heartburn record.
Record what triggered your acid reflux episodes, the severity of each episode, how your body reacts, and what gives you relief. The next step is to take this information to your doctor so the both of you can determine what lifestyle changes you will need to make and what treatments will give you maximum relief. To get you started, you can use this Heartburn Record

Yoga Treatment For Acid Reflux or Heartburn

Yoga is a world renowned exercise regimen which is found to cure many diseases including heart diseases and spine related problems and various other conditions. Here are certain yoga poses which is found to cure acid reflux or heartburn if practised consistently and meticulously for a long period of time.

Pranayam (Breathing Technique)
The most simple and easy to do Yoga exercise is the Pranayama or controlled

breathing. This can relieve you all stress and tension of day to day life. Over a period of time toxic buildups occur in the mucus linings of lungs and this exercise helps in reducing it. It also cleanses the blood and increases blood flow into the veins of the body, thereby giving a renewed energy in yourself.

Technique
Take a comfortable seating position and put down your shoulders and muscles or relax them to feel normal. Inhale strongly pushing your belly forward also relax your abdomen. Exhale by tightening your muscles in belly and push forward the air and let your abdomen go inside on its own. There should not be any strain in your body or its muscles while doing this. You can practise this anytime either before going to bed or whenever you feel stressed out, but try not to do it immediately after meals.

HERE IS THE VIDEO OF THE SAME TO WATCH

cure acid reflux

Some Of The Reader Comments (NOT TO BE CONSIDERED A MEDICAL SOURCE)

Posted by Pete on Apr 01 2010 00:07:10
It's been interesting to see that there are so many people who suffer from GERD etc. I've been struggling with GERD for a couple of years now and it seems to come and go. The first episode that I had, felt like what they say a heart attack or angina attack feels like which sent me down a path of anxiety and panic attacks. I had the standard heart tests and they came bacame okay which helped calm down the anxiety and panic attacks but not the other symptoms. That's when my doctor said it was most likely GERD and recommended Zantac for now. I was doing great until this past month. It started up again which is almost the exact time that it started last year. That's when I remembered to take Manuka Honey. I had used it before when I had an ulcer and it healed in about two weeks. I can't believe that I had forgotten about taking it after having had such success with it before. I've just started taking it again and am noticing improvements. I'm hoping it works for GERD. If any of you are interested in ivestigating the benefits of Manuka honey check out this link: http://manukahoney.com/resources/research/index.html I guess it's like anything else, what works for one may not work for another but it's not overly expensive to try so why not? If it works for you, the benefits are amazing. I hope this may help someone.

Posted by Marely on Mar 18 2010 22:45:14
Hi Marge, Teacher and Brad, I'm no doctor, but I have been dealing with acid reflux for 10 years. I take prevacid on and off. It has worked really well for me. I have gone without prevacid for years at a time, just by watching what I eat, keeping my weight down and eating my dinner at least 3 hours before I go to bed. However, in the last 6 months, I got too relaxed with my diet and I was put on medication for slow thyroid. I developed LPR, another version of acid reflux that is not fun and it's much worse. For LPR, I have been taking 30mg. of prevacid twice a day and I'm supposed to do it for 6 months. Today, I went to my 6 week follow up with my ENT. She was very impressed with my improvement. The treatment is working and she was very proud of me for making the diet and life style adjustments. She thinks that if I continue to follow all the indications my throat might heal before the standard 6 months. I'm pretty happy and encouraged to hear that. I'm even used to my bland diet. Marge: I'm no expert, but I know it is not a good idea to just drink water when we have acid reflux. Our stomachs produce acid even when we don't eat and we need to put something in our stomach to absorb it. I don't know if you couldn't tolerate food or what happened, but even a slice of bread would help absorb the acid from your stomach. The Prevacid works, but it takes 3-4 days to give results. When I first started it, I was told to take Mylanta, tums or maalox at the same time for the first 4 days. Prevacid 30 minutes before a meal and mylanta after a meal. For me, prevacid kicked in like on the 3rd day and that's all I take now. The bottom line, at least in my experience; is that once we get diagnosed with acid reflux, we have to always be alert, avoid all the acid triggers as much as possible, have smaller meals, always have our dinners 3-4 hours before we go to bed, watch our weights and exercise regularly. Acid reflux can be controlled. Some times we relax like i did and then we have to rely on the medications. I agree that aloe vera helps, but, not when it is too late, like in my case, my throat was so burned I couldn't drink anything with flavor for a while. I also started taking probiotics and enzymes to help digestion. My doctor told me today that probiotics are a GREAT idea, but enzymes are a BAD idea because they cause more reflux. OOps! I didn't know that, I read on the internet that they were good. I guess I'll check with my doctor first next time I take something like that. Good luck to all, hope you can all find relief.

Posted by Brad on Mar 16 2010 11:32:58
My mother thought she was having a heart attach and after many tests it was acid reflux. She did take the purple pill for a short time but after reading the long term side effects started researching natural options. She has found that Aloe Vera juice works wonders. She has not had an attach in two years and feels all over better taking 2 oz a day. She hasn't been sick either and says it's because the aloe is an immune builder as well. It has actually healed the problem not just masked it. She gets it at www.marketamerica.com/bl and has tried several but likes this one best.

Posted by TEACHER on Mar 16 2010 09:44:46
10 years or more, I have suffered. Everything from the burning, chest feeling like it would EXPLODE, sitting up sleeping with pillow stacked up, elevating the bed, BRAT Diet, Prilosec, Nexium 40mg twice a day, vinegar, losing weight, meditating...it's awful! They did an endoscopy and found that I have a moderate hiatal hernia. Great! Seems I was born with it but never had any problems until 10 years ago as I started getting majorly stressed with school and gaining weight. I ate a lot of spicy foods, red sauce, love chocolate, coffee, tea, and yes, I smoke. So quit it all and still had the acid problems. The Nexium works miracles for me. I can take it once a day, 40mg for thirty days and then as little as one every other day to keep the acid away. I can eat what I want. The Prilosec is good but if I stop it, look out! Even for a day!Now, I am in South Korea and they gave me two prescriptions, one I had to beg for because they say that their policy is to refrain from medicication until an endoscope is done. Well, I've already had an endoscope and told them the findings, they won't budge. There is no Nexium or Prilosec here, so I have been taking rantidine like crazy! I discovered tonight that my bottom teeth have all eroded at the inner edges. I suppose because of taking too much Zantac or the acid. My tongue also has a whitish color. My throat just looks inflamed and it burns like crazy. I find that ice water helps and soy milk in ice. I promise myself to start exercising again, stay away from spicy foods and try the BRAT diet as much as I can stand. I am just paranoid that if they run more tests, who knows what they will find or want to try like surgery or maybe they'll find esophageal cancer. I tried vinegar, but that made it worse. So I will continue to try to lose weight and get Prilosec from the U.S. Like others, what bothers me is that medicine only masks the problem. Seems the states did not think the hernia was too bad. I have been told over and over that it's the weight. We'll see...maybe I will try some of the other things I have read on the website for a more natural remedy. Thanks to all for sharing your stories!

Posted by Marge on Mar 15 2010 18:30:49
I'm desparate. I had a stomach virus over the weekend. It started out like a acid reflux attack but evloved into a full blown stomach viru. Throught out the entire time I continued to hav the acid boil up into my throat. No food, just water but still the acid. My stomach is swollen up under my breast bone. I'm feeling some better but the acid continues to boil up into my throat when my only intake is water. I had prevacid that I took, to no avail. Even doubled up. Please help......

Posted by Marely on Mar 11 2010 18:25:57
Mo, You have a lot of the same symptoms I had, I got pretty skinny pretty fast too, but my LPR is slowly getting better. Only an ENT doctor can tell you if you have LPR. GI doctors usually miss it because they can only see below your throat into your esophagus. My esophagus was fine too and my barium swallow normal, The ENT doctor will insert a tube with a camera through your nose, and in seconds tell you if you have LPR or not. Google LPR so that you can learn all about it. If you have it. You'll most likely need a double dose of Nexium. I take a double dose of prevacid 30mg each. I am now able to eat more stuff. I don't have to live on smoothies and oatmeal anymore. However, I do follow the acid reflux diet very strictly and I eat dinner 4 hours before I go to bed.. That is helping me recover faster.

Posted by MO on Mar 11 2010 14:23:34
I enjoy reading everyones posts. I am in the same boat but they cant figure out what is wrong with me. I had an episode after eating pizza one night where I started coughing so bad and hacking up white phelgm and they had to rush me to the hospital because I couldnt breathe. ER doc said you have GERD see a GI doc. So I did that. He scoped me said no reflux. I ended up at the ER again for breathing issues said probably bronchitis. PUt me on breathing treatments, amoxicilian, inhaler, predisone for 5 days. Finally got rid of that after 2 weeks, but developed a swallowing problem. My pulmonary doc sent me to a speech pathologist who said VC look good, mucus looks good might be LPR due to some swelling in espho. I saw my GI doc again he said he didnt think it was LPR but sent me for a barium swallow and sent me to a neurologist. MRI is next week with neuro. Barium swallow came back fine. Saw my family doc yesterday she gave me an allergy medicine to take, I am taking nexium (per GI even though he doesnt know if I have LPR) also taking ativan. Still having issues eating, swallowing. Symptoms mainly are choking feeling (comes and goes) constantly clearing throat even after water I am literally not eating much at all because i start coughing so bad and choking and it scares me. I live on smoothies, some fish, some veggies. Maybe eat once a day. Dropped 10 pounds if not more in 2 weeks and I can't afford to lose any weight, down to 97 lbs. 5'4", 34 y.o. female non smoker. I have tried natural stuff, not sure what else to do. I am so frustrated and hungry and dehydrated I dont know what to do. I just tried to eat a light fat free yogart and my throat got tight. Been tested for food allergies too. They are checking my thyroid and I still think it is LPR. Aggg someone please help before I waste away to nothing. thanks :(

Posted by Marely on Mar 07 2010 08:57:25
Nana, Here's another link. http://www.holistichelp.net/blog/a-metallic-bitter-taste-in-the-mouth/ Please note that menopause can also be a cause of bitter taste in your mouth, as well as candida overgrowth among others. Someone else talked about candida on this blog. I also run and I'm in a very healthy weight. I have menopause to look forward to in the near future. :-(

Posted by Marely on Mar 07 2010 08:43:49
Hi Nana, If I was you, I would find another GI doctor that could give me the endoscopies sooner than 2 months. Unless your GI thinks it's not urgent? I am a worrier too, and for me, waiting 2 months for a test is way too long. If I didn't stay on my doctors, they would still be telling me I was suffering from panic attacks instead of being treated for LPR. It's easy for them to say, try this and come back in 6 weeks. meanwhile, I kept ending up in the ER because my LPR was giving me the globus syndrome and I couldn't breath or swallow. Be proactive with your doctors and inform yourself. Just be careful when you read stuff because a lot of diseases share similar symptoms and we don't want to scare ourselves and end up thinking we have cancer or another deadly disease. I found a link about chronic bitter taste, if you match the way it tastes to you it might tell you possible causes. You might have read it already. http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/symptom/bitter-taste-in-mouth.htm

Posted by Nana on Mar 07 2010 07:32:59
Marely, No, I'm a new nana. My endoscopic is 2 months away because that's the earliest the gastro could schedule it....busy guy, I guess.:( ENT ordered an MRI for nerve damage? and some more blood work. MRI looked fine....,my zinc level is low-average. He discharged me and sent me to the gastro doc. Gastro gave me an initial exam, ordered stool and bloodwork and scheduled the endoscopy and a colonoscopy. Stool and bloodwork ok....white count in the low-average range. He gave me a whole bunch of samples of Zegerid. I felt WORSE taking that so I stopped 2 weeks ago. I am not overweight, do not smoke or drink, and run 4 to 5 miles daily. (am currently going thru menopause) I am and ALWAYS have been a worrier :( Again, my primary symptom is this BITTER taste in my mouth whenever there is saliva present. The only time it is not noticeable is when my mouth is dry (when I am sleeping or running)Eathing is great while the taste of the food is in my mouth but as soon as I swallow and the saliva starts digesting, the bitter taste comes back with a vengeance. :( :( :( I am SOOOOOOO frustrated!

Posted by Marely on Mar 06 2010 22:18:16
Nana, are you the same Nana that was diagnosed with acid reflux and was fixing it with the cider vinegar? First of all, I'd like to suggest that you stop thinking about having cancer. This kind of thinking is just going to stress you out, make you produce more acid and have more heartburn along with anxiety. Why don't you tell us what your doctors told you? Especially the ENT doctor? That way maybe someone in this blog can have more information to help you. I suffer from LPR: http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/GERD-and-LPR.cfm My ENT doctor was the only one that could find it. Did your ENT doctor actually checked you for LPR? If you still have chest pressure and heartburn. My opinion is you still have acid reflux problems and your esophagus needs to be looked at. Why are you waiting 2 months for the endoscopy? I am taking prevacid 30 mg. twice a day for my LPR. I follow a very strict diet to prevent acid reflux, but it will still take 6 months for my burnt throat to heal. I still have 4.5 months to go, but I can feel a little better every week that goes by. My ENT doctor said that in order to get cancer caused by LPR, you have to have severe untreated damage for a long time, like 2 years at least. Hope you find out what's going on soon! Just knowing what I have has taken my anxiety away.

Posted by nana on Mar 06 2010 20:56:29
I originnally was treated for oral thrush...since I have had a constant, daily, bitter taste in mouth! I have had numerous blood, urine, and stool samples...nothing out of the ordinary. I am scheduled for an endoscopy....TWO months from now. I have been prescribed Zantax, Prevacid, Protonix, and Zegerid. NOTHING seems to help with this bitter taste. (By the way, it is NOT there until I have saliva in my mouth...no problems once I am asleep) I DO have heartburn and chest pressure since taking these medications but no relief from this horrible bitter taste. I have seen my GP, and ENT, my dentist and the gastro doc. I am very concerned that there is an underlying cancer here???? Any advice?

Posted by Irma on Mar 01 2010 21:23:40
I've suffered with acid reflux for over 5 years now. I drink pure Aloe Vera juice at the first onset of acid reflux. It immediately relives my discomfort. I purchased it from wal-mart, it can be found around the pharmacy area. I drink it straight, but you can add it to juice or water. I originally bought it because I heard it was good for the stomach and digestion. It really helps with acid reflux. I don't have my gall bladder anymore, so when I drink it my bowels will move freely the next day. Other than that pure Aloe Vera juice is good for acid reflux. It works for me.

Posted by katie on Feb 27 2010 00:35:59
YOU GUYS!!! okay I had bad diarreah, horrible acid reflux (had to go to hospital so bad), vomiting, pain, it turns out it is CANDIDA!! please look into this, tons of people have it and PHD's will not give you the time of day about it cause they just want to shove you full of antiacids, which make it WORSE!You have to go to a natural MD!!!!! you need stomach acid! After I was on the stomach pills/ppi I got even sicker, itchy ears, allergies, dizziness,brain fog, head aches, all sorts of stuff. Search the web for candida you will find tons of stuff, it mimicks (sp) all sorts of disorders, I was told I had like ten things by the end hahaha!! I feel it is my duty to educate people about this because I got so sick I almost lost my life and PHD's would still not do a thing but pump me full of prescriptions! Have you been on antibiotics?? I was on a lot plus birthcontrol and it through my body out of wack! Please research it, if I have hepled one person find the answer I have done my job!

Posted by Adam on Feb 24 2010 06:36:02
beware of NSAID's also... actually....caution should be used against others drugs like clonazepam and others as well... I was on that almost 10 years ago for anxiety and wish i was never on it. Now I believe they only contributed to my GI problems... natural alternatives like theanine serene with GABA can be used for reducing tensions... there are many natural herbs for anxieties... drugs might do it but then other problems will start to develop... not worth it...

Posted by Adam on Feb 24 2010 06:11:16
check to see if you have H. pylori and if so... then there are a few "bombs" you can use to eradicate them: Manuka Honey, probiotics, turmeric, monolaurin, omegabrite, grapefruit seed extract,sangre de drago, mastic gum, broccoli sprouts...

Posted by Marely on Feb 23 2010 17:30:34
Fortunately, I've never had side effects from the Prevacid. I've taken it on and off for 10 years. Right now, since I'm on the double dose, I am taking digestive enzymes and acidophilus probiotics along with following a very strict reflux friendly diet. So, I have not had any issues with moving my food so far. Although I like and prefer natural remedies. At this point, my throat is burnt from my LPR and I need to rely on my ENT doctor to help me. I don't want to end up in the ER anymore. I feel better since I saw her 4 weeks ago. Hopefully the treatment will work. Natural remedies are good, but some of the could also be expensive and I've heard some of them can also have side effects. In a few months, when my throat is better, I will try the ACV because I'm intrigued by the testimonies. I know Aloe Vera, licorice and Ginger are good for digestion too.

Posted by Adam on Feb 22 2010 20:03:45
I've been on PPI's for maybe 7-8 years. PPI's give me so many side effects(Poor concentration/mental fog, blurred vision, dizziness, anxiety/panic attacks, cramps, disturbed sleep/insomnia, chest pains, nausea, headaches/migraines,etc. I've been on everything from prevacid to nexium to prilosec) and deplete the hydrochloric acid that the body needs to properly digest food leaving food to stay/rot within you. You can give yourself a PH level test. A natural alternative that I follow now is taking: Metagenics Endefen, Metagenics Glutagenics, Soluble and Insoluble fiber, Ultimateflora 50 billion cultures, slippery elm bark, orange peel extract(if no ulcers). A table spoon of baking soda in glass of water usually works for me. Try SANGRE de Drago and Una de Gato/Cat's Claw for stomach ulcers! some other items you can check out are:cabbage juice! pepzin GI, mastic gum, marshmellow herb, MSM and catnip, MANUKA HONEY, golden seal root, olive oil?, enzymes, meadowsweet, carrot juice, Zinc-Carnosine, Licorice, Chamomile, Bladderwrack, Fenugreek Seeds, Wood Betony, aloe vera, mullein, raw cabbage and potato and celery juices, Barley Grass, Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice or DGL, Apple Cider Vinegar or ACV, Probiotics, Pickle Juice, L-glutamine powder, Coconut, Lavender tea, ginger tea, Ultra Flora IB, Ultra FloraPlus...Go to your Natural Vitamin shop for your ailments!

Posted by marely on Feb 20 2010 20:32:25
Also, on top of my double daily dose of prevacid, I chew on a maalox tablet before I go to bed if I feel any extra burning on my throat or chest or if I am not sure if something I ate was acid reflux friendly. I usually eat with with a drink of water with a little bit or apple juice in it. I warm it up a little, the warm liquid makes the throat feel better. Don't forget not to lay down or go to bed after you eat for at least 3-4 hours. My husband also raised the head of our bed by 6 inches. I'm really trying to get better sooner than 6-9 months. And i will never accept to take any pills on an empty stomach that might make me back flow my stomach acid into the throat when I run, I love running. I'll take synthroid before lunch time or something. I've heard as long as you are consistent on how you take it, the dose can be adjusted. Bottom line, LPR sufferers, we need to stick to our medicine, diet and have a lot of PATIENCE.

Posted by Marely on Feb 20 2010 08:04:21
Chris, Sorry to hear that the PPI medicines haven't helped you (yet). I was told by my doctor that Nexium, Prilosac, Protonix and Prevacid are supposed to do the same work. However, I've used Prevacid for regular reflux for 10 years and it has always worked for me. I think I developed silent reflux or LPR after I started taking synthroid last October on an empty stomach with 8 ounces of water and then I went running. I like running in the mornings. I say this because I never had any issues until I started on that pill and I remember tasting the medicine as I ran. The diluted pill and water were probably splashing back into my esophagus and throat as I ran. I started having the sore throats 3 weeks after starting synthroid. LPR can cause your throat to have spasms which is the "globus" syndrome that makes you feel like chocking. Then you start feeling anxious and this cause you panic attack symptoms, which adds to the pressure on your neck and feeling like you can't breath. My doctor put me on a very low dose of clonazepam which is like Xanax but less addictive and longer lasting. All I take is .5 mg a day (middle of the day) this medicine helps with the spasms and prevents the added anxiety that makes things worse. I take 30 mg of prevacid in the morning and 30 mg. at night. This has allowed me to start eating again and has taking the choking away. I have to say that I have followed the reflux diet very strictly. I avoid every food I have to avoid, coffee, chocolate, spicy food, fried food, tomatoes, peppermint or any other tea, no soda or alcoholic beverages. I take digestive enzymes (papaya) and live culture yogurt to help digestion. My throat is still sore, but i don't choke and I don't feel that lump stuck in my throat any more. 6 months seems like a long time, but, I'll be patient and follow the diet. It beats the other option. If you haven't seen an Ear Nose and throat Doctor yet, I'd recommend that you do. They can go in with a camera through your nose (doesn't hurt at all) and they can see in seconds weather you have silent reflux or not. Remember, most people with LPR don't have heartburn symptoms. Don't give up. Keep talking to your doctors, if you fell something is wrong with you, then you are probably right. We know our bodies better than anybody else. I initially was told that I was just having panic attacks or depressed (ER doctors), but I kept making the doctors look and got my diagnose. This took a lot of my anxiety away.

Posted by Chris on Feb 17 2010 09:15:31
Marely, that is exactly what I feel. I have gone to doctors and they keep sending me prilosec, nexium and other and those have not relieved my symptoms. They said I have some burns in my esophagus and throat (vocal cords) I have the postnasal drainage and the feeling my throat closing lately. I do not feel that much burn in my chest sometimes a bit but almost nothing. Reading blogs like this I've found out that is the Laryngopharyngeal reflux I may be suffering from. A friend told me to try prevacid and I see that it works for you. If you have any other advise in your diet or medicines (like the one to relax you and muscles) please let me know. Doctors seem to not care at all. It has become very annoying specially at night sometimes when I am sleeping my throat feels like closing and I wake up scared. Any help will be really helpful

Posted by judy on Feb 15 2010 12:09:39
I have been having breathing problems for about 5 years now. I have seen 15 different dr's and a hand full of specialists and they all say something different. I have never had heart burn but I have to constantly clear my throat and often it feels like my throat is closing off.My voice has changed and I now sound very nasily. My inner ears itch and so does the roof of my mouth. When my throat starts to feel like its closing off, my chin itches. sometimes I scratch so mutch that I actually draw blood.. The last year or so I have been having alergy like symptoms. I have been tested for allergies and they say I have none but the running nose and stuffed up feeling tells me otherwise. Has anyone experienced the inner ear,chin and roof of the mouth itching?

Posted by Adam on Feb 09 2010 17:27:37
I have been on prevacid, nexium and prilosec a couple years each... adding up to maybe 7-8 years total. Even Kapidex last year which gave me crazy chest pains and made me think i was going to get a heart attack!These drugs only MASK the problem and only treat the symptom. Ultimately they do NOT solve the problem and you'll end up being on these drugs for the rest of your lives unless you realize that they're actually making things worse in the long run. PPI's will make you vulnerable to developing other sickness as your defenses are weakened. Remember... The drug companies make money when your sick. Prilosec, nexium and other PPI's kill the good bacteria/enzymes that your body needs to properly digest food. You will become malnourished because of these drugs. They are very dangerous long-term as they will stop vitamin and mineral absorption. ie. vitamin B, calcium, etc. They can even cause hip fractures in the elderly. This needs to be taken care of naturally. First of all, you must cut off all fried food, fatty-foods, take out food like Mcdonalds/burgerking and other killer-food, cut-off alcohol altogether, avoid spicy foods, tomato sauce, pizza(yes, i had to give it up), chocolate, smoking, caffeine etc... Yes, this is where you embrace the straightedge lifestyle ;-). Your diet Must change. Go to a Natural Vitamin shop and purchase yourself: Metagenics Endefen, Metagenics Glutagenics, Soluble and Insoluble fiber, microflora 50 billion cultures and also see what they have for heartburn.Ex: slippery elm bark(one of my favs!the natural rolaids/tums), orange peel extract(if no ulcers). There are natural remedies for this. No need to be on these drugs, which actually make things worse. A table spoon of baking soda in glass of water usually works for me. also: Apple cider vinegar. Try Sangre de Drago and Una de Gato/Cat's Claw for stomach ulcers! and cabbage juice! some other items you can check out are: pepzin GI, mastic gum, marshmellow herb, MSM and catnip. Go to your Natural Vitamin shop for remedies for your ailments!

Posted by anna on Feb 07 2010 13:30:57
I started on Omeprazole, and wow, what a difference! I thought I had volca nodes, my throat and speaking voice was so bad. Within a week I could hear the difference. Now I'm going to do a home treatment and see how it goes. I think high doses of vitamin c at bedtime have probably been the culprit. Will do the vit. c after breakfast, when I'm up and use the vinegar too, if needed...

Posted by marely on Feb 04 2010 20:58:50
Sorry, I forgot to mention. The name of my disease is silent acid reflux or Laryngopharyngeal reflux. It's silent because it usually doesn't call heartburn. Symptoms are: Hoarness, Thick or too much mucous in your throat. Chronic throat irritation, chronic throat clearing, chronic cough, globus sensation(you feel something in your throat), bad taste in your mouth in the morning. Besides the prevacid I've got a medicine that tranquilizes me and is also a muscle relaxer.

Posted by Marely on Feb 04 2010 20:52:09
I've suffered fro acid reflux on and off for the last 10 years. Prevacid has been wonderful when I get it bad. But I can normally control it with diet, exercise and not laying down for 3-4 hours after I eat (especially dinner). A few months ago I started getting sore throats, laryngitis and ear pain along with postnasal drainage. Since it is winter, I assumed it was a cold and so did my doctor, I went through 2 treatments of antibiotics and nothing helped. I has a bad attack on january 5th, were I was having dinner while I was drinking peppermint tea. I immediately felt my throat closing on me and heaviness on my chest. I couldn't breath right. I ended up in the E.R. after heart and lung tests were clear, I was told I had a panic attack, but I should see my Gi doctor since I suffered from GERD. The endoscopy came clear, no big damage on the esophagus. I still has the chocking sensation and difficulty swallowing, burping etc. i was put on a double dose of prevacid and it helped a little although my symptoms weren't explained. I saw my ENT doctor. She ran a fiber optic tube through my nose and looked inside my throat and stuff. She said I had so much damage from acid reflux that it was causing my throat muscles to contract (spasm) and that's why i felt like I was being choked. She double my prevacid dose and told me to follow a bland diet. I'm happy to know what my problem is after one month of anxiety. The only bad news is that it might take up to 9 months for my burns to be cured.

Posted by rose on Feb 02 2010 16:21:40
I was wondering if anyone has experience bad acid reflux and burning in their esophogus after a dental procedure ? I have acid reflux and GERD and the last two times I had my teeh filled and some bonding done, I had the worst case of burning in my throat that lasted for over a week. I was just curious if anyone else has experienced this or if it was just coincidence ?

Posted by MrSerge on Jan 28 2010 00:14:05
Acid reflux. Coming out of acid reflux. My story may be able to help some of you. They say that acid reflux is caused by poor eating habits and or bacteria in your stomach. Right before my episode with acid reflux I was eating healthy, in perfect shape and had my perfect work hard. Once day, I stared having all the symptom of acid reflux and no one knew what I had. This went on for months. I forced my doctor to check for Helicobacter pylori. which I ended up testing positive. I got omeprazole (Prilosex) plus 2 antibiotics. 4 pills a day for 14 days. After the treatment my stomach was hitching and I still had a hard time eating. I was still creating too much acid so my doctor give me again omeprazole (Prilosex). I refused to be on any drug and I knew that the omeprazole (Prilosex) was not the answer it was just a bandage without dealing with the root of the problem. This is what I did: I knew the Key out of this was: I need to keep the body alkaline, the bad bacteria don't like an alkaline environment. I stop take the omeprazole (Prilosex) and starting taking a of Jarro Dophilus EPS (can find it in health store). The 3rd day I started to feel the difference. I was able to eat more verity of food. Aloe vera juice before every meal Eating every 3 hrs small meal. No row vegetable - fresh steam vegetable only and protein. No oily or greasy food at all, not black chocolate , not alcohol, no caffeine, no soda and not spices in your food. Avoid hot water, somehow my system does quite down with colder drink and food. I eat protein and green 3 time a day and a lot of low fat low sugar organic yogurt as snack and all day. I take 4 pills a day of Jarro Dophilus EPS . One pill 45 min before every meal to help my stomach and intestines get their natural bacteria back while controlling the excess of acid the stomach is creating. Drink the pills with hot water It makes swallowing the pills easier. I drink Apple Cider Vinegar (2 table spoons in 0.5l drink of water) throughout the day with a lot of water. I don't mix the protein & green vegetable with fruits. Sugar create more acid so I am very careful with the fruits I eat (low sugar index fruits only) and I don't eat any carbohydrate for the same reason. I recommend: Cranberry juice-Prune juice (the sugar free type mix with H2O) 2 tea spoons of honey mix with water before eating. Avocado-apples-banana-melon-walnuts-almonds-tofu-sweet potato-fish-Grilled chicken (legs grilled) easier on your stomach. Not red meat at the beginning it is too hard on the stomach. Camomile tea help digestion process. Stop eating 3hrs before bedtime. I sleep with your upper body higher than the bed level almost in a semi sitting position. I don't lift weight or jog because I was creating too much acid and it was giving me some palpitation. (yes, the doctor said that the palpitation have nothing to do with acid reflux-there not connected-well doctor have news for you everything is connected and how can a super athlete with no hard problem get some palpitation every time his stomach create too much acid). To avoid the palpitation, I ride my bike slowly without too much effort, and also walk. I make sure I space out my workout throughout the day. Now I am getting better and I know you can be acid reflux free..it take time and patience. I am almost certain that a lot of us will test negative for every test on the planet regarding stomach bacteria but small bacteria such as Escherichia coli-E-coli and other don't really have a test for them and you could have something in your system putting your stomach out of balance. So fight back by drinking Apple Cider Vinegar to clean your system and work on increasing the growth of the good bacteria your body need. Mediation is a must in the healing process Good luck to you all.

Posted by Kristina on Jan 26 2010 12:53:04
Charlene I was reading your post and it breaks my heart to know you are not feeling good. You need to go on the brat diet for a week bananas plain rice applesauce and toast. help get those stomach acids to rest then introduce other foods back into your life SLOWLY> dairy and gluten sounds like the source of your problem especially with the blood you have been experiencing. Talk to your dr about celiac disease. Hope this helps with allieviating your pain

Posted by TOny on Jan 20 2010 00:11:39
I have Had Gerd for about 1 month now i am about to go see a specilist cause it does not seem to go away ..i ve been on a diet for a month now no alcohol or any acid foods and it kinda went away. i have been eating just food with alot of protein like chicken,turkey,fish,wheat,yogurt,granola,oatmeal,and water. I worked out and played soccer last week and it seem that burning sensation came back . IS there something i am doing wrong? and Will this last for the rest of my life? I was taking prataprozole and now i am just taking prilosec .

Posted by Michigan on Jan 13 2010 09:41:42
Charlene if your case is that serious you need a hospital. A sign of blood is a sign of a very dangerous condition and you need to seek proper medical treatment. If your parents cannot afford healthcare they should check into state aid for you. Blood coming up is an emergency situation and by law the hospital should not be able to turn you away. My situation is very very similar to yours. I have had the probs for years, been on many numerous meds, migraines, joint pain, etc. Tried lot of natural remedies and adjusted my diet. When mine got out of control my doc gave me a new drug called KAPIDEX. It worked. Best of luck to you..and PLEASE seek medical attention for your condition. Go in there spitting blood if you have to...someone needs to pay attention and help you.

Posted by Charlene on Jan 09 2010 01:01:55
Hello, my name is Charlene. I'm 17 years old (as of December 15th 2009), and I was diagnosed with Acid Reflux when I was just an infant. I've had it pretty bad all my life, so acid had always been a problem... for a long time, though, when I was fairly young, it was not. Then, about around nearing Middle School--say, 3rd to 6th grade--it got much worse. I have always had a fairly poor diet, but I was put on a prescription and eventually the issue completely went away. Years later at the age of 13 (almost 14), I came home with pain one day and a whirlwind of downhill health problems have happened in the last 5 years (or so) since--joint pain, and such, though I had been improving my diet, exercising, and all. My stomach has gotten completely poor these last 4 years especially--at first, it was just joint pain, muscle pain, migraines, but then my stomach messed up. They've done every test on me possible (berrium-related things, CT scans, MRIs) and found nothing. No one can be bothered with my illness, whatever it is. A few months ago, though, I experienced the worst possible Reflux/stomach acid episode I've had yet: for days (this happened before I came down with H1N1, coincidentally), it just burnt horribly. It is happening again now. I can see bits of blood constantly, and nothing I take works. I was put on Nexium recently and my parents couldn't afford to get it refilled, and it seems this episode happened suddenly, without diet being the reason (I had checked what might cause it, the only common thing was I felt like I had a flu bug), and I am not sure what to do. The Medical Center can't do anything for me, and I have tried Maalox, Pepcid (pill AND chew), Gaviscon (four of them), Pepto Bismol (the pills), and my usual I have been taking for years--Zantac 150. I know taking the Zantac is bad, but it was all I had that helped the acid. And it USUALLY worked... but this episode and the one before it a few months ago, it stopped, like everything else. ... Now it's going on the... fourth day of this, I think? I've slept very little. Not even a full hour ago, I tried the Apple Cider Vinegar cure as directed, drank it all, ate a few plain crackers with it (I've hardly eaten anything--the blood and acid in my throat is too bad for me. I'd like to say I'd throw up--I've tried, it... won't allow me to), and I *thought* it was helping. ... Now I realize it's starting to come back up, any the other herbal remedies I've read about (apples, etc.) that we could afford/do have in my home I have tried, to no avail. We called my Doctor, and I'll have my Nexium (I hope) if my parents can get the money for it in a week, but I feel like by then it might be too late. I realize this is long, but I am at my wit's end. I have no idea what to do, or where to turn to. For reference I live in the United States, DE, and we're far from any neighbors here or family help. Is there *anything* left I can do...? Anything at all...? (I've cut cola and any and all possible acid-producing foods or drinks out of my diet already, and did so earlier. I'm trying to keep hydrated as well, but it's hard.)

Posted by Heidi on Jan 08 2010 00:26:09
Apple cider vinegar is great I agree as well, along with my Zantac but for instant relief for when the pain is unberable I use PEPTO BISMAL it really coats it pretty quick. I am one who get excrutiating pain in my back and chest and it feels death is upon me! I must sit up and it will slowly slid back down and still persist in smaller waves. Good luck to all I wish one of u were here to hold me while I cry because I'm out of pepto and it's 130 in the morning.

Posted by Marty1981 on Jan 05 2010 19:16:27
i have been having symptoms for the past several months that include, hoarseness, sore throat ( both more severe in the mornings)scratchy or itchy throat, itchy chest, burning in the throat and chest. Have had a throat us and came up normal am going to see a ent doc soon, i just want some relief, i keep worrying about cancer, would love anyones feedback.

Posted by Pardeep on Jan 04 2010 16:46:29
i have had breathing problems, i feel like i have to yawn to get in a full breath of air and it feels like there is a "glob" or something in my throut and chest. I am a sixteen year old girl and this started about 6 months ago and just got worse today. I think i may have avid reflux but am not sure, the shortness of breath is making daily life very hard and i feel like i have the health problems of an old person at the age of sixteen, SOMEONE PLEASE HELP! I AM DESPERATE!

Posted by Denecia on Dec 27 2009 02:49:38
you all of you that suffer with acid reflux my prayers are with you-i too suffered with acid reflux i woke up one morning with extreme pain in my upper chest and my back it felt like i had a balloon in me being blown up pushing out my back and upper abs it hurt so bad-this continued to happen for about a couple of weeks-i had all kinds of test done-until one night i prayed that God would send me to a doctor that could tell me what i had-i am thankful to God that the next doctor i saw told me what i had-he prescribed zantac and another medication-as soon as i took it-i had instant relief i am not a meds person either so after finding out what i had it gave me opportunity to pray specificly about acid reflux or GERD-i was told i had a serve case of GERD- i was in my late teens when this started i am now 31 and i have not had another attack since i was 20 and then when i felt it coming i drunk a coke a cola i had a big burp and i yet to show signs and symptoms of having had GERD it baffled the doctors-to all of those who do not want to take meds try prayer first-it does work i took a couple of pills and knew i could not do this the rest of my life -when i began to pray it all started to go away i count myself healed

Posted by Barb on Dec 21 2009 12:01:40
Megan, your symptoms sound like my gallbladder attacks. See a doctor and get an ultrasound. I had about 5 attacks before I went, but once I had it removed, it was great...no more pain and I could actualy go back to eating some foods aI had been missing. I also have GERD and take prevacid daily, but those attacks were not fromn the GERD, but my gallbladder.

Posted by Rob on Dec 19 2009 23:08:36
I suffered acid reflux for years and was on and off omeprazole during that time. However, I recently discovered the main culprit behind my acid reflux episodes--gluten. After a particularly bad episode of acid reflux after a meal of wheat noodles, I eliminated all foods containing gluten. Now, I very rarely have acid reflux, gas or bloating as long as i stay away from gluten. Some of you may be needlessly suffering from acid reflux because of an intolerance to gluten and you don't know it. I was also motivated to change my diet so I could get off the proton pump inhibitor. Reducing stomach acid with proton pump inhibitors may have the unwanted side effects of a proliferation of bacteria in the gut (the acid kills the bad bacteria) and reduced absorption of calcium and vitamin B12. I actually came down with an infection in the sigmoid colon that required antibiotics, also my teeth enamel was mysteriously eroding (the stomach acid never came up to my mouth). I suspect the erosion of my tooth enamel was either due to celiac disease (intolerance to gluten) or a side effect of omeprazole, both of which can block absorption of calcium. See your doctor, change your diet and stay off the proton pump inhibitors if you can!

Posted by larry cortner@att.net on Dec 18 2009 22:37:44
I laid down to sleep to night ,and was awakened by the worst acid reflux in my intire life.All the way up my throat,coughing and allmost choking.I just stood up took in small amounts of water an a few ice chips a tespoon of honey and latter a cup of green tea with a table spoon of honey sipping it very slowly.I am getting some releaf now but I think I will sleap in the recliner to play it safe.

Posted by sharyn on Dec 10 2009 12:16:20
it doesn't cure it but sipping boiled water PLAIN the minute a hint of pain starts will make the gas come up in about 10 minutes. no meds

Posted by Megan on Dec 10 2009 04:15:02
I've had Acid Reflex for about a year now.. I don't get it every night, and it's pretty inconsistent.. Speaking of which, it's 5:07 in the morning now and I haven't gone to bed YET due to the extreme pain.. I took MaaloxMax around 12:30 am and took 3 Tums around 3:30 am.. Still very miserable I took 2 Advil just a few minutes ago.. I'm planning on setting up a doctors appointment tomorrow for this, I'm only 19 and already feel like I'm falling apart!.. The pain I feel is a severe sharp disconfort in my upper abdominan and it feels like it's in between my chest.. When it gets really bad it radiates to my back and I can't find any relief in standing or sitting.. Complete misery!.. With all the information I've researched it said it's either GERD or gallstones?.. My father has issues with this as well.. he told me to drink seltzer water and warm water to relieve myself.. but now I read Carbonated drinks are a big no?.. great.. I really want to avoid being put on medication at only 19 so I'm figuring out home remedies... but you see, I thought milk wasn't good for acid reflex.. cause it seems to me everytime I have chocolate or some kind of dairy I get the pain.. ahh help me! :/

Posted by Csaba on Dec 08 2009 22:07:55
Forgot the website: http://www.salvus.hu/

Posted by Csaba on Dec 08 2009 22:06:13
I'm 27 , and couple of years ago I was diagnosed with acid reflux 4 years ago, back then I was living in Hungary. The doctor started me on medication but since I hate taking pills I was looking for an alternative solution. Hungary is rich in thermal(spa) water, and these can be purchased bottled as well to drink for their health benefits, and some of them do/did MIRACLEs! One small glass in the morning helped to reduce the acid in my stomach and get rid of all the symptoms. Now I live in Canada and didn't have symptoms for a year, but 3 days ago it started to come back and now I feel fucked, don't know what to do... I wish this natural remedy was available for anyone, if you would like to know more about this method (maybe look for something similar in your area) look at this website (it's in hungarian, english, french and german)... With drinking this water didn't have to give up any of my favourite foods!drinks because of this damn disease.

Posted by Toni on Dec 01 2009 15:34:15
I'm sorry, I got the generic acid reducer from FAMILY DOLLAR. Anyway, I had heartburn symptoms that were bad, but not always super severe. Major flare ups were rare. I seem to be doing better, and the generic tablet helped a great deal with my latest heartburn issue.

Posted by Toni on Dec 01 2009 15:32:40
I don't know about Zantac, but I just got an acid reducer from Dollar General and my stomach feels so much better. :) I am so happy. After buying bananas (which didn't really work for me), and Pepto (which only worked a little after a few doses), the one genetic tablet did the trick. No pain. I don't know if this will work for anyone else, but it did for me. Of course my symptoms were not nearly as severe as some of what I've read and I kind of doubt some people have acid reflux. Some of it looks like severe stomach ulcers or some other type of issue. In any case, drinking a serving of vitamin water and the tablet combined with eating small meals (rather than big meals and overeating) seems to be doing the trick for now. I'm also going to try and drink chamomile tea and see how that helps.

Posted by susanne on Nov 30 2009 20:28:57
2 months ago I have been diagnosed with acid reflux. I went to a pulmonologist thinking that something was wrong with my lungs because of the pressure/ discomfort in my back. He prescribed omze...20mg which worked great. However, my mom urged me to have an endoscopy to make sure it's really reflux. The GI doc switched me to Nexium 40mg and another medication for the night. Nexium actually worsened my symptoms. My throat became so hoarse and itchy that I could not sleep at night. I discharged myself from Nexium finishing the other meds. I'm not against meds and I know that many people have been taking them for years. Reading this thread has been interesting for me. I just feel so frustrated because my diet is not bad. I do not eat processed food, junk food, etc. However, I haven't been able to give up coffee entirely. I don't smoke, take drugs, drink etc. but I really like my coffee and an occasional glass of wine with dinner and most of all chocolate. Will this ever go away. I'm only 43yrs old!!!

Posted by Lana on Nov 25 2009 12:36:15
heather, get checked for a hiatal hernia.

Posted by *heather* on Nov 24 2009 16:53:22
I have been suffering from severe acid reflux for 8 yrs now. When I was 15 I was taken to the ER because the pain in my chest was so bad I thought I was having a heart attack. Of course I kno what causes this...red sauce, mexican food, fried or greasy foods, alcohol, and the list goes on and on. I have constant heartburn but the biggest issue I am having is the attacks that cause so much pain it feels like someone is pulling my ribs apart. It is unbearable, and I often throw up all the contents of my stomach, drink a cold glass of milk and sit on my couch and cry for a few hours until it goes away. I am planning on trying the apple cider vinegar, I realize it works for heartburn but for the pain I do not kno. I am wondering if it may be my gallbladder because of the intense pain, or some other kind of acid deficiency. is nice to kno other people go through this,( people often do not believe this pain is so intense) though I would not wish this pain on my worst enemy. If anyone knows a relief for the pain it would be greatly appreciated.

Posted by me on Nov 22 2009 13:08:25
you should NOT take peppermint if you have reflux. this is a well-known trigger of reflux. just google "peppermint" and "reflux" to find out all about it.

Posted by LyrikalSykness on Nov 12 2009 05:40:55
I have had Acid reflux for 5 to 15 years. FENUGREEK will coat the lining in your stomach, and esophagus, preventing damage from excessive acid. GINGER ROOT will soak up acid, and help prevent ulcers, and stomach pain. PLAIN YOGURT will help regulate your digestive system, as will DATES, BANANAS, and PAPAYA.

Posted by Brian on Oct 23 2009 19:58:36
Lisa, The reason your acid reflux is worse in the summer may be due to allergies. The drainage that can come from allergies cause acid reflux or make it worse. I was diagnosed with a hiatal hernia several years ago, but if I treat my allergies, I do not have too many problems. Diet is a huge part, but things have also gotten better since I've seen a chiropractor. My chiropractor explained if the area of the spine between the shoulder blades is out it can make symptoms worse. I take no meds at all now and it has all been due to diet, chiropractor visits, and controling my allergies.

Posted by Lisa on Oct 22 2009 07:38:29
Hello guys. I've had acid reflux for over ten years.I'm not on any meds but i can tell you what has helped me. First when I get an onset I pray. Then I take apple cidar vinegar or enzymes. Mine normally comes if I've eaten spicy food or if I've lied down before food digestion. It mainly hits me in the winter time.As long as the air is warm for some reason, I don't get it.In the winter I leave the heater on,keep my neck covered with a scarf,and try to sit up high when I'm sleeping.Sometimes I can catch the erosion coming up and I hop up out of bed before it gets worse.It's important to sit up right away.I pray each and every one of you is healed from this.God bless you guys and I hope I offered some helpful methods.

Posted by Linda on Oct 21 2009 13:02:27
I\\'m 58 and just found out the acid reflux I have is from the Actonel I was taking. Has anyone tried the calcium citrate 250mg which supposedly tightens the valve to the stomach. I was put on protonics but I decided to take myself off of them because of the issues people have in the future. Can I use the Apple cider with the meal even after I drink a cup of ginger tea? Are you trying more than one remedy at a time?

Posted by Candy on Oct 20 2009 11:18:40
Alyssa, when I read your post, I thought of me. I too was diagnosed with acid reflux years ago. Vomiting became a daily issue for me. When I was pregnant with my second child I had morning sickness for the entire 9 months, and it continued on daily until she was 16 years old. Yes, you read that right. I threw up daily, sometimes several times a day for 17 years and Drs. could never figure out why. Mine too was of mixed colors, sometimes whole foods, you name it. Three years ago, I met an herbologist. After talking to her, she suggested the problem may be my gallbladder. I went to Dr. Hulda Clarks website, and read how to do a gall bladder cleanse, as I did not want to go to a Dr. and have it removed. It took me 5 cleanses, 3 weeks apart, but after the 5th cleanse, I was no longer vomiting at all, let alone daily, and my acid reflux was gone. Just recently has it come back and is giving me trouble, so this past weekend, I did another gall bladder cleanse. It will take a few more I know, because I am once again, passing gall stones. Last night I was up all night with HORRIBLE acid reflux, and vomiting. That is what brought me to this site, to see if there was some herbal remedies I could try while I am in the midst of these gall cleanses again. You may not have the same problem I did, yours could be completely different. However, it might be, so I felt compelled to share my story. I hope you find relief soon, I know how "lovely" this condition is. good luck

Posted by Anonymous on Oct 20 2009 00:54:35
Hi Alyssa, your condition seems serious than an acid reflux. Any kind of blood or tissue vomiting means something is going wrong. you should take it seriously and definitely go for an internal ultrasound because it will pinpoint the problem. You should look for some better place for checkup if you are not comfortable with the clinic you went to. Eat very mild and non fried food AND GO for a thorough checkup!

Posted by alyssa on Oct 19 2009 03:03:42
I have been diagnosed with acid reflux for four years now- now that I know all of its sympoms, I know it has been way longer. I remember when I was younger always throwing up a little in my mouth... never thought too much about it- thought it was normal!? I also developed asthma about two years ago (which is awesome when your twenty haha). I did not have time to read through all of these comments, but I am wondering if anyone else throws up as often as I do? Ive never ever meant anyone who has had these symptoms. Once in a blue moon i get heartburn. When it comes to the vomiting it is horrible, I have thrown up every color of the rainbow, some things look like scabs, some looks like fresh blood, some looks like just insides, like tissues, and one time when it was really bad it looked and tasted like pepper corn.... i know gross. It ended up getting so bad that I had to get an ultra sound, during the ultra sound she said I had to get an internal one right away, and also said it was pretty standard- I just don't buy that, why wouldn't a young girl be told prior that something so violating would be happening? I never found out the results, the receptionist decided to be crazy and call me and my boyfreind repeatedly, screaming at each of us because I had missed an appointment- which was thier fault bc they gave me a gallon of water to drink quickly befor the appt. and surprise surprise I ended up throwing it all up! Anyways, has anyone else ever been through this, or know why they would need to do internal?

Posted by Feli on Oct 11 2009 10:27:20
Last night I went to a party & had a couple of wine coolers, some tamales with chile & chips. Then when I got home & went to sleep I woke up in the middle of the night with a huge lump in my throat. It felt like it was holding back fire. My throat was tight & I had to sit up 2 breathe right even though I had a fan right in my face. I stayed up all night dealing with the pain & now it still hasn't gone away idk if I have acid reflux but now I'm starting to cough & I keep swallowing I feel like I need to burp, but cant. I get nauseated a lot & am sensitive to most foods, but the heartburn & sore throat usually only happens after I vomit. Does this sound like a mild case of acid reflux or something else?

Posted by Katie on Oct 07 2009 00:13:55
I've found that a change in diet and trying to destress has done me more good than the Nexium 40mg I was perscribed has. Not to mention, I found the long term effects it can have so I'll be sticking to the natural stuff and personally am going to try calcium citrate. It tightens the valve that lets the acid out of the stomach. You're supposed to take 250mg after each meal and before bedtime.

Posted by nana on Oct 05 2009 13:51:21
i was just daignosed with acid reflux, did a bit of research, the water and apple cider seems to be working along side tahitian noni juice its a micracle it helps your digestive system work properly,i eat a lot of bannanas, dring a lot of water eat low fat plain yoghurt and stopped eating all the spicy stuff and i know im gonna be ok! try it!

Posted by Jer on Sep 30 2009 08:39:26
olive oil cures heartburn i don't know if it cures acid reflux but i would try it. i have had heartburn for nearly ten years sometimes it's pretty bad. about a month ago i stated taking a tablespoon of olive oil after i eat and i have never gotten heatburn since. i feel free from my acid stomach. for more information google olive oil for heartburn.

Posted by Leslie on Sep 29 2009 19:11:31
I am nearly eight months pregnant and out of nowhere two days ago I was suddenly struck with acid reflux. My throat was on fire, I was salivating and gagging and I could not lay down or it got worse. I slept sitting up all night. It reoccured last night and I know it will be here again tonight. I tried drinking tons of water and milk and taking extra strength tums..... I want to try the apple cider vinegar just want to know if its okay to take if your pregnant and also here any other safe for pregnant people remedies PLEASE HELP I miss sleeping

Posted by amie on Sep 26 2009 23:12:51
It is comforting in a good way to know that all of you understand what we go through! I feel like doctors and other people dismiss GERD as not being a big deal. When I have big flare ups, I am crying from so much pain! I am also glad to know that effects the medicine can have on you over time. I did not realize this! I am going to try all the remedies you folks have suggested and pray to the Lord that He can help me change MY DIET!! Thank you so much for the feedback and suggestions! It's comforting to know you understand!

Posted by Ashley on Sep 23 2009 19:25:36
Just like many of you I am suffering from GERD as well. I recently went to the doctor for my problem after suffering with heartburn for a few years. It just started to get worse.. trouble swallowing, breathing, chest pain, fast heartbeats, and sore throat. My doctor prescribed to me a new drug called Kapidex. I have only been on it for a month and it seems like its starting to help. I don't want to be on medicine for the rest of my life (i'm only 23!!) so i want to try and get it under control with stress management, eating slower, and smaller meals. Plus the help of some of these remedies. Going to get some apple cider vinegar and try that tonight.Thanks for the help. Glad to know I'm not the only one..

Posted by Livya on Sep 23 2009 06:23:02
David--can you direct us further to websites or places to "do our homework" about this? Thanks.

Posted by Mia on Sep 22 2009 16:12:07
Been suffering from severe acid reflux for about a month now. I constantly feel a lump in my throat and swallowing is painfull. I have nausea and burping nonstop. EVERYTHING gives me heartburn even water. I go to sleep with heartburn and wake up with heartburn even though my last meal of the day is @ 6 p.m. I avoid spicey foods, stopped drinking, stopped smoking, no caffeine. Went on Prilosec and that didn\\'t work. Dr. gave me Zantac to take along with Prilosec and that didn\\'t work. Dr. then gave me Nexium 40mg and still nothing. Doubled the dose to 80mg which somewhat works but I started having these episodes where I breakout in a cold sweat, my heart starts beating really fast and I feel really anxious. NEVER felt like that in my life. Someone recently suggested taking Persimmons tea and it works great. I take a shot of it 2x a day and no heartburn. You make it from persimmons ginger root and cinnamon. Must try!

Posted by Claris Macdonald on Sep 20 2009 22:14:12
Okay... really don't know what is going on ..... but the cost was thirty dollars.

Posted by Claris MacDonald on Sep 20 2009 22:12:44
Something happened to part of my comment, but my cost for a 30-day supply of Zegerid, after insurance and the coupon, was .

Posted by Claris MacDonald on Sep 20 2009 22:10:31
I have recently started on a medication called Zegerid. It inhibits the production of acid in the stomach. It is expensive, but you can go on zegerid.com and get a coupon that comes off your out-of-pocket expense. That brought the cost for me for a 30-day supply, after insurance and the coupon, down to . Getting relief from this feeling of a lump in my throat and having to clear my throat all the time until it is raw is priceless!

Posted by David on Sep 20 2009 02:14:33
This is going to sound extremely counterintuitive considering many people in america experience acid reflux but the problem in many cases lies not in that you are producing too much acid but that your stomach is not producing enough acid to digest food. Hypochlorihydria (i belive thats how its spelled) is one of the most underdiagnosed conditions in america and many people are not aware of it< even your doctor is probably not aware as they rarely test for it. The proliferation of antacids (meds and over counter) merely exacerbate the problem long term as they shut off the stomachs ability to effectively produce acid which then can lead to malabsorption of food which believe it or not can easily go unoticed. One indicator that you may not produce enough acid is vertical ridges in the fingernails (among many others). Its a very interesting topic. A zinc deficiency alone slows the bodys production of acid as well as a B vitamin deficiency. Stress and a host of other conditions also contribute and of course its not enough for example to just take B vitamins as they require HCL to activate them so that they may be absorbed ( activated or methylated forms of B-complex are available which bypass the need for stomach acid and go straight to the liver for processing) whats also interesting is that most people are also deficient in magnesium which ALSO requires enough stomach acid to apply a "charge" to the mineral so that it may be absorbed and interesting enough magnesium is an integral player in insulin production and usage. theres much more to it but some of you will be able to infer the cascade of events that can happen from low acid production. incidentally diabetics are almost always deficient in magnesium. Im not a doctor or medical person and there is A LOT of info ive left out as this is definitely not a complete guide by any means on the matter so my suggestion is to do your homework and see if you may be able to benefit by getting your acid levels right. its more critical than you think.

Posted by Hilda on Sep 19 2009 11:49:27
I have been diagnosed with poorly regulated GERD and now realize, in hindsight, that I've had unrecognized symptoms for many years. I even lost a molar to it! I just tried the apple cider vinigar yesterday with wonderful results. Does anyone know if there is a limit to how much vinigar you can ingest? Can it hurt me if I do it 3 times a day? Thanks for your comments as I am finding this sight very informative even though it sounds like it will be a lifelong struggle. Hilda

Posted by jorge on Sep 16 2009 20:31:06
For the past 6 months Ive been waking up startled with a tightness on my chest when Im trying to doze off.Its the worst experience ever.Im only 37 and 185lb. Ive been taking apple cider vinegar with water for the past 4 days and its working fine..Im finaly able to go to sleep without feeling that preassure on my chest.

Posted by 5327 on Sep 16 2009 19:17:04
I've had acid reflux for a very long time I'm tired of this when I feel something in my throat my dad said there's nothing there,and alot of times in the past I always gag or feel like I might throw up!! I feel like this now I feel bad....=.= I take this red desert clay and it helps alot (not much as it used to) I take pepsid (can't spell it) and it works better on it....but I still get this yucky feeling in my throat again everyday some1 please help!! I'm sick of this :(

Posted by M I C H E L L E on Sep 16 2009 07:39:44
TRY BAKING SODA IN A LIL WARM WATER, DRINK IT DOWN, ITS NASTY BUT IT WILL DO THE TRICK IN GETTING RID OF THAT NASTY ACID REFLUX, TEMPORARILY!!!

Posted by SUES on Sep 14 2009 18:05:03
ACID REFLUX HAS NEARLY RUINED MY LIFE. I DARE NOT GO OUT ANYWHER WITHOUT WHAT I CALL MY CHOKE BOWL. I RECENTLY HAD A NEW FLARE WITH ACID REFLUX. NOW I AM HAVING T HAVE TEETH PULLED, ROOT CANALS & CROWNS. I AM ON MEDICARE DISABILITY & HAVE HIT THE GAP WITH MY Medicationd. My Dr. gave me a sample of Aciphex & it works wonderfully. 1st 30 day supply 9.00.Couldn't afford this with all the other med I have to take. WISH I Had paid that & now wouldn't be facing 5-6 root canals with crowns & mega pain in my mouth as well. Careful folkes if asomething isn't working for you, try something else before it affects your throat & teeth.I AM USUALLY VERY CAREFUL AS TO WHAT I EAT. HAD A BAKED POTATO & THREWW UP FOR SEVERAL HOURS & I KNOW THIS COULD NOT HAVE BEEN THE REASON.BEST OF LUCK TO ALL OF YOU. I WILL TRY SOME OF YOUR SUGGESTIONS, BUT FOR NOW WILL HAVE TO STICK WITH WHAT WORKS. SUE S

Posted by vijay on Sep 14 2009 10:11:15
Hi. I was suffered from very bad acidity and ulcer due to h.pylori bacteria. I had taken too much antibiotic and antacid medicines, but i was not able to eat little heavy. After all cource, i went to Ayurvedic Doctor, He suggest me to avoid all fermenting foods, like yorghut, cheese, cake, bakery food, breads and such. Just try to drink lots of milk. I was wondered that my allopathic doctor told me to not to drink milk. I have tried as per ayurvedic doc. and all 6 month of pain gone in 1 week. Today when ever i feel little acidity i drink lots of milk and water. I don't know this will work for all, but it is good option

Posted by tish on Sep 14 2009 09:03:58
Try eating a red-delicious apple instead of the OTC GERD medications - it even works with nausea. For the h-pyloric bacteria in the stomach, 2 tbs of natural honey for 2 weeks is supposed to get it under control

Posted by wizade on Sep 03 2009 23:23:02
digestive enzymes

Posted by Maja on Aug 29 2009 07:17:53
hi. im also suffering fr reflux for about 6mos now. i was advised to take pantoloc but it doesnt help. im afraid it might just affect my liver. i\\'ll try natural remedies for this. i feel like dying everytime im getting acid attack. was rushed to the ER 3x this year. im almost to quit my job because of this condiiton. is Apple cider vinegar really works? pls help.

Posted by Becca B on Aug 28 2009 21:59:27
I had an allergic reaction to some hair care products. The welts took over my body. I was put on steroids on the 2nd day of pills I was rushed to the Emergency Dept. Come to find out the steroids had damaged my upper GI tract and know I have had acid reflux for a week know. I have tried the potato and milk. I also was taking zantac and using the malox. Om my goodness I am in so much pain, and the least to say the welts are still in control of my body.

Posted by joe on Aug 28 2009 05:47:54
i two have the constant feeling that i cant swallow sometimes i also have the lump in my throat. i also have problems breathing were i fill i have to take deep breaths all the time. my stomach kills the left side, and pain now and again below my nipples lol i have not been diagnosed yet i have a barum swallow next week, as above tho this is really effecting my life feeling out of breathe all the time and constant pain

Posted by PaulN on Aug 24 2009 12:16:00
Hi all. I've been suffering from reflux for about a month now. At the start I went into a panic, but now I feel much better about it. The product which I've found works best is Manuka Honey. It really is powerful stuff. Other than that, I've been paying close attention to my diet (apples, bananas, yoghurt, potatoes, eggs, porridge chicken, fish, green vegetables etc.etc. coffee and wine are a big NO!) and stress levels. I've tried some of the other remedies as well, but I've found Manuka works best for me. I'm still investigating the cause (it's possibly an ulcer), but I feel now that there is indeed hope of curing it. While the internet is a useful way of finding out possible cures, I don't believe that it's necessarily healthy to believe everything you read.. especially when it tells you that you're getting cancer!! :) ... be well, be safe, and be smart... Paul

Posted by bella on Aug 21 2009 21:41:10
A friend told me to try some aloevera and cactus capsules, they can be found at Walgreens, its a mexican product, they worked really good for me, no more heartburn or acid reflux. The cost is very resonable too. Might want to try this.

Posted by Chair on Aug 09 2009 09:53:23
I swear off drinking anything but water and the occasional glass of milk. I drink primarily ice water. We recently moved and I have since had an ongoing problem with heartburn. We are on municipal water supply. We had our hot water heater replaced and I noticed a lot of white sludge that had accumulated in the bottom of it... likewise when I make ice it always makes a precipitate which is apparent when I put the ice in water. I just figured we had unusually hard water. I never had the sludge tested for what it was. Or had our water tested for that matter... let the city handle it right? Well I stopped drinking it and started buying distilled water.. voila! no more heartburn! Needless to say I wont ever do anything with municipal water besides wash clothes and dishes.

Posted by Rafael on Aug 08 2009 22:37:15
I am still heartburn free. It is amazing. I really don't know why. Yesterday I eat a Peperoni pizza all by myself just before going to bed and I sleep all night no need for anything. Just a month and a half ago I couldn't eat a single slice without needed to take 4-5 extra Strength Rolaids. I wish I discovered what happen so I could let you know but frankly short of a miracle, I have no idea. My mother in law also suffers from the same thing and she told me that she got much better eating pices of raw potato. Try this, it may help you too.

Posted by harriet on Aug 08 2009 15:25:56
i have acid reflux been dealing withh it for 6 months last 2mos taking nexium 40 morning 30min before breakfast and same30min before dinner 0ne 150mg zantac before sleep im getting better biggest thing for sore throat is chewing gum extra polar ice flavor no mint or cinnamon they give you hb saliva and swallowing soothe and coat and help digestion

Posted by Rafael on Aug 01 2009 21:39:06
I suffered of heartburns for the past 20+ years. I was taking in a good day about 4 extra strenght Rolaids and on a bad day up to 12. Last month I travel to Mexico and I did everything that I normally do; however the first day there I noticed a reduction on the condition. I only took one rolaid. After the first day I didn't need to take any rolaids at all and until today I have not taken any yet and the best thing, no heartburns. I am puzzled at what made my heartburns go away. I still don't know but this is what I did differenty. The first day I was in Mexico I drank about 2 glasses of (ciruela amarilla), I believe the translation would be something like yellow plum. The juice was natural and I continued taking it for about 4 days. While I was in Mexico I eat worst than I normally do at home, it is, tacos, chips, salsa, cheese, meat with chilly, and in amounts that probably double what I eat at home. So anybody would expect that I would get worst not better. Here is the other thing that I did differently, I didn't take ice tee at all. At home I dring ice tee at least once a day but in Mexico I drank water, juices, soda and rice water. Just in case I have not taken any ice tee yet and my heartburns have not returned. I have eaten what normally a Month ago would have kept me up at night and I now sleep through the night. I never thought that a condition of so many years would go away in literally one day. I am not sure if it was the ice tee, the ciruela amarilla juice or anything else that I eat while in there. The only thing I know is that I have been heartburn free for over a Month without any medications. Someone has any idea of what happened? my first thought was "This is not normal, perhaps something bad is happening, I need to go to the doctor to get my HB back" By the way, it can't be stress, this past 3 weeks have been really stressful due to some bids that we are working on under very strict time constraints. I would be very interested in a Doctor's opinion as to what happen because as you can see, I have no idea. Not sure if they will return, but sure it is nice to spend a Month not thinking that I run out of rolaids.

Posted by Paula on Jul 30 2009 14:58:15
organic-apple cider vinegar is the best for heartburn and gout.just 2teaps a day in water, orange juice or any tea and it will fix you right up.

Posted by sarika on Jul 28 2009 08:38:49
hi i have been suffering from acid reflux from d last 3 weeks.i have heartburn all the time wheater i eat anything or not moreover i m burping all the time,and nw a pain in back bone of my chest on the right side has started...... can anyone suggest me some home remedies. will any yoga can help me to come out of this........

Posted by Emma on Jul 28 2009 08:36:00
I have only just discovered that i may have acid reflux with only ever two experiences of it before. Where everything i ate, after the protagonist food brought it on, caused a very uncomfortable sensation, mine has never been severe burning or pain, but very uncomfortable along with uncontrollable burping. Usually i use apple cider vinegar and it works. Two weeks ago it returned and would not go away, also i acquired a seriously dry mouth, and burning tongue, but no acid taste, so i didnt automatically associate the two physical symptoms. However I have just had blood tests for possible diabetes and a number of other conditions to find my bloods are all fine, and now find through my research that it may be acid reflux... which concerns me if it dosnt go away... I have been careful with what I eat, but usually am, mainly stick to whole foods and rarely if ever rich and processed foods, yet enjoy coffee wine (limited) and tobacco. I have been treated by my accupuncturist along with high dose zinc, b vitamins in a multi (high quality vitamins) and high quality pro and prebiotic. My dry mouth subsided for a few days but with the stress of a new work environment starting this week and other matters, the dry mouth came back. So on top of that I have been taking 1-2 teaspoons of slippery elm powder twice a day, and today feel so much better. (Do not take slippery elm if pregnant has been used as an abortive herb without accredited herbal advice)I think for those really suffering they should try slippery elm 3-4 times a day, one site says to have a break every 14 days also... I would also recommend doing a complete alkaline diet, cleanse, detox and getting professional herbal advice and support for this. Check out rise and shine cleanse on google excellent bowel cleanse which alkalines the whole body... However I was fortunate enough to get the fresh herbs from the only supplier in australia rather than the capsuled herbs sold in america.... I would suggest taking the time,stress free, to commit to this life change and get all the support you need, bodywork, counselling excercise to support you. Stress causes acidity sothe more you take time to relax the better for your body and reflux... I have been particulary stressed in the last few months so this could have contributed to my condition along with other environmental factors, diet excercise, allergies, toxins... the body teaches us what we really need to know for our healing... let your food be your medicine and your medicine be your food....

Posted by Terry Bergamo on Jul 26 2009 16:39:45
I have been taking omeprazol 40mg for yrs but trying to go natural. It was suggested to take Pearls, Aloe juice, slippery Elm and black licorice. I have started taking the Aloe and Pearls for a few days and my throat is burning up. I'm use to the relief that I was getting from omep. Can you use Apple cider vinegar with the Aloe juice or are they counter productive? Any idea how long I'll have to take aloe before really getting relief? Hate to go to long burnig because of the long term damage the burn does. Thanks.

Posted by Wanda on Jul 17 2009 12:43:02
I have had acid reflux (gerds) for years and had stomach ulcers which are very painful also. I have just taken Prilosec for 14 days,(No need to buy the brand name...Wal Mart generic is the exact formula). It has really helped. Just do not take it for more than 14 days at a time. It tells you that in their directions. The NO.1 thing that has helped me is aloe vera juice (does not have to be organic). It HEALED my stomach ulcers. 3 of my friends had recommended it to me and it REALLY WORKED!!! I only took about 1 ounce once or twice daily, but it is good for you so you can drink more if you want. Not real tasty but I just gulped it quickly. I found it at Wal Mart in the pharmacy area in a very large (gallon) size for about or . I sympathize with you all. Hope this will work wonders for you as it did for me.

Posted by Jon on Jul 14 2009 12:01:02
i'd check out allergies. both food and environmental. particularly mold. my brother got acid reflux at age 8 along with allergy symptoms. our family doc gave him mold immunotherapy. some months later he was cured. i suspect my reflux is the same thing. i've had reflux for almost a year now and it started exactly during a huge mold exposure. i've never experienced it even for a moment in the 42 years before that.

Posted by jason on Jul 05 2009 10:29:19
I am sharing my true experience today. I had acid attack from few days. i was constant burping and some time short of breath. I tied fennel seeds last night, chew slowly and almost 3 spoons. didn't drink any water for almost an hr. Went to run out and and did some breathing excersise by nose only. I was surprized i didn't have acid reflux. Thanks for you all for sharing your experience

Posted by Anonymous on Jul 03 2009 18:11:08
Cure Heartburn Naturally Now Over 40 million American adults suffer from heartburn. And most have no idea that you can cure it without antacids. Here are six effective, all-natural alternatives: 1. Ginger Root - Research shows ginger can strengthen the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Add one-half teaspoon of freshly grated gingerroot to a cup of hot water. Let the ginger steep for 10 minutes. Strain the ginger and drink. 2. Peppermint – You can take peppermint in capsule form. But for optimal effect, get fresh peppermint. Place a wad of peppermint leaves between your molars and chew for a minute before swallowing. The calming effect on your stomach is almost immediate. 3. D-Limonene –It’s an extract from orange peel that’s highly effective. In one study, 90% of the people reported complete relief of their heartburn symptoms in just two weeks. What’s more, the effect lasted for six months after they stopped taking it.8 Take 1000 mg every other day for 20 days. Then take a maintenance dose as needed. You can find D-limonene at your local health food store. 4. Zinc – Zinc has incredibly powerful gastro-protective effects. One study compared zinc to famotidine (the over-the-counter drug Pepcid). The result? Patients in the zinc group experienced identical symptom relief to those who took Pepcid.9 You can find zinc at any health food store or even your local grocery store. Aim for 96 mg of elemental zinc per day. 5. Betaine Hydrochloride and Pepsin – This may seem a little counterintuitive. But taking hydrochloric acid (HCL) and pepsin (a digestive enzyme) with every meal can eliminate heartburn symptoms. It also helps break down your food. This ensures you get all the vitamins, minerals and nutrients you need. In fact, thousands of heartburn patients have experienced relief as a result of taking an HCL and pepsin combination.10 I’ve found it to be the case for many of my patients as well. Take one 600 mg capsule before each meal. You can find betaine HCL combined with pepsin at your local vitamin shop. 6. Mastic Gum Extract w/ DGL – Mastic gum has been used for thousands of years to heal heartburn. Studies even suggest that mastic gum can kill H.Pylori.11 You can often find it combined with deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) at your health food store. Traditional Chinese medicine has long used licorice for its ability to soothe and coat the stomach. Look for a formula that contains 1 gram of mastic gum extract and 760 mg of DGL.

Posted by Elpidio Amayo on Jun 29 2009 14:27:38
Most of Acid Reflux can be eliminated with Tepache drink made with tibicos. Look it up on google, for vendor or someone might offer you some. To your health. Elpidio

Posted by tl on Jun 23 2009 11:04:53
alfredo zotti- i like your idea- do you suggest any other foods too- i want to cure myself of acid reflux and i have heard apples and carrots work great but what else can i eat- i know to avoid spicy foods, caffeine, etc.. but what about salt and i hear dairy is good if fat-free- I need help everyone LOl

Posted by alfredo zotti on Jun 23 2009 05:10:29
I think that for those who have severe reflux it would be of great help to eat just nice apples and carrots (or carrot juice) for two weeks. Drink plenty of clean water and try not to have problems. You can eat bananas too but very ripe. You will feel better. No smoking. no alcohol and no coffee otherwise it is pointless. Sleep on your left side

Posted by lonnie taylor on Jun 17 2009 01:53:34
i had very bad reflux,so bad that i was afraid to go to sleep at night cause id wake the whole house hacking up whatever i ate my aunt told me to drink aloe vera juice and it worked wonders just drink half a glass with every meal and you should be fine

Posted by Evie on Jun 09 2009 21:34:14
I have throat inflamation from acid reflux, in my throat that it stings when i talk. Has anyone had success with the "organic throat coat tea"?? I'm desprate.I can't take this any more.

Posted by Anonymous on Jun 07 2009 20:51:44
I read in the book \\'your body many cries for water\\' that what you need to do for GERD is to drink lots of water to keep body hydrated. When the pain comes on drink 2-3 cups water and continue to do so every 2-3 hours. To alleviate problem, make it a practice to drink 6-8 glasses of water a day. Sounds very simple, but it works.

Posted by Loisroselyn on Jun 05 2009 16:32:05
I suggest Peruvian Maca. So far it's been terrific!

Posted by Nadisha on Jun 01 2009 18:58:46
i would like to know how much of the olive oil i should take and how often...i tried every thing else and the apple cider helps at times and sometimes the apple works

Posted by tony on May 27 2009 18:15:20
Yes oatmeal is good Remember to chew your food very well,and slowly, no liquids if possible until 30 min after eating. No smoke, no caffeine, Eat more fiber, fiber.....

Posted by renee on May 25 2009 00:12:26
Hi everyone, my father is suffering from acid reflux very badly, that even when he drinks water he coughs it back up. He is unable to hold anything on his stomach. We tried the vinegar and water it worked for a little while, but he\\'s still going through same problem. Can anyone help!

Posted by Danny on May 24 2009 20:38:30
Hello. I have been having severe reflux for the past three weeks---Tightness in the chest and Back and Generally feeling like Crap with shortness of Breath. I am taking Omprezole which has worked fine until recently. I started searching the web for relief and came across a Home Remedy for Reflux---Raw Un refined Honey---Two Tablespoons Morning amd Night. I have been taking it for two days now with some relief but will give it a few moew days before making any decisions as to the effectiveness of Honey.

Posted by sue on May 24 2009 16:19:10
i constantly am very very nauaseaus,it feels as i am going to vomit,cannot do anything but lay down.........help.i am 53,and was active

Posted by lisa on May 23 2009 03:51:12
i am really suffering from acid reflux but no official confirmation with the doctor. now i am taking fosamax for my osteopenia. this is a once a week. but really, the side effect is hurting me. it gives mo so much pain in my stomach. just last night i was awaken by this burning senation from my stomach. please waht shall i do to ease the pain i am having now. anyone can help me, please////

Posted by Karla on May 21 2009 00:27:02
I would like to thank everyone for their suggestions,there was a moment I felt so alone with this condition, and when I would try and explain it to my husband ...he just couldn't fathem the pain I sffered night after night. I will try the apple cidar, and the Virgin Olive oil...whish me luck :-)

Posted by Lucy on May 19 2009 12:22:04
I was diagnosed with GERD 14 years ago and have been on daily medication ever since. Started out on Prilosec, then Nexium, and now for the past 3 years ZEGERID, which by the way works wonders. I never thought medication for GERD was bad for me until reading posts on the internet. Why would my doctor have me taking medication for 14 years straight ? I am probably 25 pounds overweight and have heartburn regardless if I eat or not. I do eat the wrong foods but even when I have tried to be careful, I still have heartburn. I lost 30 lbs a couple of years ago and still had heartburn. I have found I can eat and drink almost everything as long as I take my 40mg of ZEGERID daily. Wine is the exception. OW! A few times a year, I do get this horrble painful spasm feeling that starts in my stomach and slowly climbs through the middle of my chest up to my throat. It lasts about a minute of two and usually happens in the middle of the night. Not sure what that is, but I told my doctor and he didn't seem to concerned. All I know is that is sure does hurt. Anyway, I am going to try some of the remedies suggested and see how I do. I will first have to muster up the courage to discard my daily fix of ZEGERID. Keep your fingers crossed!

Posted by monica on May 17 2009 10:31:50
I have had acid reflux for 18 years now. I used to be on medicine, but for some reason I was taken off of it. The medicine usually helped, but now I am just screwed. My main problem is that I LOVE tomatoes and anything that contains them. Obviously, this is bad for my reflux. I have tried to take some of the over-the-counter medicine, but none of it works. Also, my digestive system is very odd and doesn't act like those of normal people. I think this is partially due to the acid reflux. Has anyone tried the home remedies before? [Oh, I also have hypo-thyroidism.]

Posted by Melissa on May 04 2009 11:11:50
this is to Tina. The white tongue sounds like it could be a yeast or bacterial infection. Try testing yourself for Candida. Take half a glass of water and spit in it. Check the water every 15 minutes for up to an hour. If your saliva is suspended at the top of the water with strings (like legs)or \\"cloudy\\" saliva or cloudy specks suspended in water,you have a potential problem with Candida. If the saliva is still floating after an hour the Candida is under control.Candida can cause a number of digestive problems including GERD/acid reflux.If you have Candida(yeast) you need to starve down the yeast.No sugars or anything that turns to sugar. No mold or anything containing mold or fungus. You should not eat cheese,vinegar,mushrooms,mayonnaise,mustard, or ketchup.You can eat protein: meat,eggs,&protein powder.Fats: olive oil, coconut oil, almonds, almond butter.Good Carbohydrates: non-starchy carbohydrates,fresh or frozen berries,lemons,grapefruit(no other fruit),beans(chili is great).Hope this helps!God bless!

Posted by heather b on Apr 29 2009 00:35:46
After about 17 years of severe epigastric pain under and to the right of my sternum I was finally diagnosed with a rare esophageal disorder called Achalasia. 1 in 100,000 have it. The lower esophageal sphincter does not work properly and is closed most of the time. Acid along with gas seems to work its way up and can't get back down causing the pain. The only thing I have found to help my condition is a complete change in eating habits. An alkaline(low acid) diet kept me pain free for months. I went off it and was back in pain. ACV and all the proton inhibitors they've had me on do nothing. Raw fuits and veggies, no dairy(some cultured dairy seems to be ok),no soda, tea, sweets and very little meat seem to be the way to go. A juicer is great to have as well. So, if you're not happy with gerd as your diagnosis and food seems to stick halfway down and/or you have signifigant weightloss ask your doctor if achalasia is a possibility. It is found through an endoscopy only. For 17 years no one suggested that this was what my problem was. It is RARE. Hope this helps.

Posted by rolly on Apr 25 2009 19:23:05
My wife is suffering from acid reflux a week ago, I remember my friends advise to take Edhawa Feralant and after 1hour she vomit all the acid from her stomach not including the food and she was relief from heartburn feeling. This is a very good herbal medicine no side effect all natural.

Posted by Virg on Apr 15 2009 11:23:08
Having a lot of the same problems with GERD while taking Prevacid. This will be short term because I hate meds. Researching home remedies and found we all need to consider our diet as commented by many. Look up the Alkaline/Acid Diet and stick to those alkaline foods/drinks. I can see I have been eating the wrong foods while even taking the meds. Hello!

Posted by Pat on Apr 11 2009 11:35:37
I am also reading alot of your comments the medication Prilosec will make you feel worst it can give you worst acid reflux make you feel sick to your stomach ,diarrhea, colitis ,vomiting, it will kill it will give you high blood pressure the list goes on and on the doctor don't tell you all the systems and pharmacy only tells you the ones that happen the most. read what I have to say below

Posted by Pat on Apr 11 2009 11:23:04
For those with acid reflux this is what helped me First throw the medication in the garbage second a cup of Aloe vera juice first thing in the morning (where to get it GNC) if you are getting heart burn you can try Extra virgin olive oil, if you are having throat problem try Organic Throat coat tea made by Traditional Medicinals (where to get it GNC) you can also try DGL by Enzymatic two just before a meal they are chewable this will help until you get it under control (where to get it GNC) I also take once a month a chewable ACIDOPHILUS it is stomach bacteria as you get older you have less and after taking medication for years that didn't work you are lacking the Bacteria becouse the medication killed it all. Food to stay away from sweet food fruit, cookies, junk food, I am not fat but diesel and cut I would jug 5 to 8 miles a day but had a sweet tooth still do but cut way back and have a big improvement in the way I feel. try it

Posted by Dave on Apr 10 2009 23:25:12
I have suffered with acid reflux for years. I found eating Joseph\\\\\\\\'s brand oatmeal cookies in the evening before bedtime has virtually cured the acid reflux problem at night. I buy the sugar free because I am also diabetic. I am not affiliated in any way with this company. I tried many other oatmeal cookies and Instant Oatmeal, etc but no other oatmeal cookie or product really works for me except these cookies. I think they also sell an oatmeal cookie with nuts mixed in but I won\\\\\\\\'t buy these as I found nuts add to my acid problems so I buy the plain oatmeal cookie. I have given these cookies to three other people I know that suffer from acid reflux and these cookies have worked for them also. They are hard to find in the grocery store so I buy on-line. www.josephslitecookies.com. Hope this helps.

Posted by BILAL LATIF on Apr 04 2009 09:39:49
my stomach problem starts from last year in april.when the problem starts i feel that i am going to die after very next second but after some months when i was diagnosed that i have stomach problem i take omeprazole with that i feel better but i am not permanently perfect my stomach gas flow is towards my brain which disturbs me throughout the day.sometimes i also have acidic stress on my stomach.i am 22 years old male from pakistan

Posted by A on Mar 27 2009 18:48:53
Reply to "Z's" comment. It sounds more like you have a hiatal hernia. They can do an endoscopy or barium swallow to determine so or not. Fortunately, they also have a procedure to help relieve some of your symptoms. If you are a girl my doctor suggested waiting till you were done having children to have this surgery performed. That's what I'm waiting on now. It feels like forever away!

Posted by kim on Mar 10 2009 10:10:51
Thanks for all the advice everyone-hope I find my remedy today.

Posted by bess on Mar 07 2009 11:37:50
I have been taking diffirent medication reflux for many many years. I am 69 years old and tired of trying so many drugs. I would really like to get off them, so I am going to try the other method,like the vinegar. Right now I have eaten an apple and I am drinking honey with ginger. Please, if you know of any thing diffirent, please let me know.

Posted by anonymous on Mar 06 2009 09:52:57
Iam going through the same thing...acid reflux,sick stomach,diahrea,vomiting, the whole deal. I've been on Prilosec for 1 1/2 years and the side effects are awful..rapid heart, muscle aches, sweating, nausea,headaches etc. Trying the ACV and baking soda and water with honey. Working so-so and on 4th day. Today Iam sick, but will NOT go back to the Prilosec. Am going to try the virgin olive oil and apples. Good luck to you all.

Posted by Z on Mar 06 2009 04:44:55
im going insane with burping. it been going on for 4 months now and ive tried everything - chewing fennel seeds, chewing garlic, drinking peppermint tea - and nothing seems to help. i cant even breathe properly. i take esomeprazole twice a day (its now been 3 days) and it doesnt help one bit. there is a dull pain in my stomach and pain in my chest too. i am getting tested for h-pylori, but i need to know an instant remedy for this.

Posted by Anonymous on Feb 28 2009 17:40:45
This one is for Daniel (on Feb 20 2009 01:58:00): Your symptoms sound very much like mine. This is a very different pain from heatburn. I went several years having these upper adomanial pains on and off and of varying degrees of pain. Sometimes after a spicy or fried meal I would have this pain along with burping. The pain would come on suddenly and disappear as quickly as it came on. Later they found I had gall stones on a CT scan. Here is a description of gall bladder symptoms. Chest pain in the right side or upper adomanial pains (caused by stones in the bile duct or inflammation or swelling of the gallbladder itself). Nausea or queasiness, vomiting and gas are frequent. There may or may not be belching or burping. The gall bladder, which sits just below the rib cage to the right of the stomach, is very tender to touch. It can be so painful that it takes your breath away. You may not be able to walk without bending over. Sometimes the pain radiates through to the back shoulder blade on the right side or in the middle between the shoulder blades. This is pain from the gallbladder being referred to the back of the shoulder. This back shoulder blade chest pain is one of the most common yet unknown symptoms of a gallbladder disorder. This can come and go or be constant. It may be sharp, excruciating or dull. It may also occur especially at night. An gallbladder attack will typically last for one to four hours.

Posted by Derrick on Feb 27 2009 03:28:50
I have GERD, I started taking 20mg omeprazole it worked but was expensive and possibly dangerous so I stopped taking the meds and now have radically changed my diet and it seems to be working. I use alkaline foods to balance the symptoms. I noticed cheese makes my throat close and sometimes I cant even drink water. I use lemon water as a constant tonic and its working. To everyone who has GERD dont give up just see the opportunity to change your life towards health. I still try and eat fried and other acidic foods but they generally make me sick so Im getting sick of them. The one think I worry about is my weigtloss. I have got to keep enough food coming in to keep up with my output of energy but salads, veggies and fruits sometimes just cant do it. Well good luck all

Posted by Ralph on Feb 23 2009 10:31:19
I hear ya all. I went through the feeling I had a lump in my throat about three years ago, back and forth to regular doctor treating me for cold symptoms. Finally ENT (like Kris) found the problem and gave me previcid. But hear is the other trick, gave me a mouthwash to gargle that has Maalox and something that numbs. Worked great, doctor keeps me bottle on the occassion it flares back up. I also have Gastroparesis (paralized stomach). I have found cokes seem to help (strange)and eating an apple at night. They say now to take the skin off. In fact I have been reading to eat apple sauce instead. Good luck to all, for the good old days when I could eat anything, oh yea I still do, but just not as much.

Posted by Daniel on Feb 20 2009 01:58:00
I have upper adomanial pain now for about one year. I berp alot, but I can eat just about anything and don"t have heartburn. At the beginning of the problem, doctor told me I have hyplore they gave me pills but I still have pains. I don"t know what the hell I have. Anybody has any advise please....

Posted by kris on Feb 17 2009 19:44:44
after having strep throat 3 months ago i still had the feeling something was stuck in my throat & had chest pain on the right side. I saw an ENT the first of this month & he said it was acid. he put me on prilosec 20mg once a day. i have not had any relief of this feeling that something is stuck in my throat. He said to try the prilosec at least 2 months. Does anyone know of something that might help?

Posted by Hazel on Feb 17 2009 01:10:03
Andy, I have suffered with acid reflux for years. I take the famous purple pill, Nexium. It helps for the most part, if I take it daily.But they are expensive so I take one every other day.The feeling that you have something hung in your throat is possibly an ulser in your throat, caused from the acid reflux. I had the uncontrolable need to swallow constantly, making the problem even worse. After a night in the ER and an upper GI,that's what I was told.Oh Yeah! Awarning to all... If you begin to have mussle spasms while taking prilosic,or nexium it's the med's.

Posted by Andy callum on Feb 13 2009 23:15:23
ive sufferred from acid reflux before though the zantac pills did eventually remove the problem. i have just recovered from the flu and for some strange reason the reflux is back , now im not suffering from any heartburn or major discomfort but i have the feeling that something is lodged in my throat which can be quite un pleasant but i dont have the usual reflux symtoms , i eat alot of fruit and veg though my diet could be better , i have found using a apple or carrot can help in the getting rid of reflux and the apple vinegar does reduce the pain eventually but how can i get the feeling of something lodged in my throat to clear up?? is it acid reflux?? can anyone help??

Posted by Anonymous on Feb 01 2009 23:01:30
I recommend lifestyle changes before medication. I took Prilosec and had OD symptoms even though I was on a regular dose. I was on 20mg a day. Symptoms were: * confusion * drowsiness * blurred vision * fast or pounding heartbeat * nausea * vomiting * sweating * flushing (feeling of warmth) * full feeling in my head * dry mouth, very thirsty I also experienced: * constipation * dizziness * tooth and gum decay and pain * left upper back/shoulder pain * severe stomach cramps * rash * itching all over my body, mainly chest and arms * my feet and ankles were swollen * difficulty breathing * muscle spasms, * tingling in my face, lips, and limbs

Posted by Ayanna on Jan 27 2009 22:20:13
My 10 years old daughter is sufferring with GERD so badly right now I don't know what to do. So far nothing I've tried has helped. I feel so helpless. I just want to make her feel better. I will try to apple cider vineger. Right now all day she suffers. She always feel as if someone is standing on her chest, that's how much her chest hurts, she throws up all the time, coughs non stop, and now she's complaning that the food she eats does not taste good. I am afraid for my baby.

Posted by claudia on Jan 27 2009 16:56:22
for the comment i wrote early about under neath my chest i meant my stomach.

Posted by claudia on Jan 27 2009 16:47:53
i have bad acid reflux but i dont feelit on my chest or my throat i feelit undrer neath my chest it burns so bad i start sweating alot that i have to make my self puke please if somoone have a remedy for these send it to me or postit please the nezium medication is not helping me anymore.

Posted by jamie on Jan 22 2009 15:06:55
I had acid reflux when i was pregnant really bad and i read and read on it cause i was puking and chest pain and i knew i was not nausea so one day i found in the book Back to Eden which is a great book i read that leaf majoram was my savior i usually put it in my tea its a spice u add to ur food but i actually started growing it and eat the leaves when i know its gonna bug me or if it starts up and stuff comes up and it helps so much expecially if it is really bad i hope this helps some of u

Posted by Cyrstal on Jan 22 2009 04:15:41
I suffer from acid reflux (I think). This is what happens: I got to sleep and for some reason I awake suddenly and my chest and throat is burning, I can't catch my breath, non-stop coughing, and I feel like I'm gonna die. Is there anything that can be taken when this occurs to stop all of the above sypthoms (I know I spelled that wrong)? I take tums or drink water but, the burning and coughing continues for hours. This usually happens at least twice a month. I open to all suggestions. Thanks and have a great week/weekend.

Posted by Dave on Jan 20 2009 02:26:32
I am 40 years old and have recently been suffering from reflux so bad that it wakes me from a sound sleep. The acid burning sensation in my throat is often so bad that it causes me to caugh which forces even more acid up into my throat and even sinus cavity. I take about 300mg of OTC Zantac 2x a day and it does provide some relief but I have concerns taking these meds and what they are doing to my body. I am so despirate that tonight I literally broke out in tears from the pain. I never cry! I keep baking soda and a bottle of water next to the bed which kills the burn nearly instantly when an attack occurs. I noticed that adjustments in my diet does help but I can't live on a bland diet forever. I notice also these attacks often follow a stressful days activities so some lifestyle changes are being self-prescribed! What helps is lying on my left side elevated (stomach is L shaped) and keeps most fluid below the esophagus. I can't stand doctors and their pharmacutical kickback solutions so I will try the apple vinegar or olive oil home remedy first but I really would like some input on how to handle the attacks when they do happen. What works best for you? I am interested in my fellow sufferers responses and I empathize with anyone who suffers from this because as my partner gets her sleep next to me, I am awake at 2:30 am on a discussion board loosing valuable sleep!

Posted by Courtney on Jan 17 2009 01:05:52
I am 9 months pregnant and suffering from terrible indegestion... I have been living off of TUMS for 9 months, but after a bowl of Chilli tonight, needed something better... I am trying the Extra Virgin Olive Oil and a cold glass of milk... here's to trying to feeling better...

Posted by PatNP on Jan 15 2009 10:32:39
It has been two months and no acid refluxs. I have been drinking 8oz of Aloe vera juice every othere day when I feel any thing remotely like acid reflux coming on I take a tablespoon of extra vigin olive oil for my throat a drink a cup of Organic Throat coat tea with a teaspoon of honey in it (it is made by Traditional Medicinals) I do not use but if you have really bad RF drink a teaspoon of apple cider vineger with water it will help but it will take a month or more before you see results with it. Throw the medication in the garbage it is only killing your body more then the acid reflux.

Posted by zandrajordan on Jan 09 2009 08:00:41
i'm at computer trying to get somehelp on ruflux'' my symtoms are flu-like nausated-burning int o thoart-left-sideburning headach back cant sleep been goin on for ysr's dr. say hiail hernial same thing. as i sit at computer im got the viergoout/vigin olive oil..... help me now!thanks

Posted by will on Jan 07 2009 13:50:26
have been suffering from acid reflux for nearly a year now and still not under control. still suffering from pains in stomach and chest pain also have developed dry eyes. currently taking omeprazole 80 mg once day and metroclopramide 3 times a day .did have h. pylori last april which did go after treatment also suffer from bad asthma

Posted by Danielle on Jan 06 2009 09:42:47
My boyfriend has acid reflux and he takes his meds regurally, but he still gets so sick that he refuses to eat or he says that he will vomit. We'll try the apples and all of the other ideas. thanks!

Posted by Tony on Dec 29 2008 08:07:10
I have had acid reflux for the past 3 years, many trips to the ER thinking I was having a heart attack based on the pains to the chest. I take Nexium 20 mg once, sometimes twice a day when needed, nothing seems to help. I'm now trying the orange peel extract 1000mg for 20 days and 2 tea spoons of apple cider vinegar with 8oz of water with meals, O what a relief. Six days and counting and no side effects, thank God

Posted by JD on Dec 25 2008 21:45:51
2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, 1/4 tsp. baking soda and 8 oz. of water once a week has helped my acid reflux. Also refrain from eating fried foods and over-eating. I had scar tissue form on my esophagus from the acidity, and had trouble swallowing food.

Posted by Jane on Dec 24 2008 23:31:57
I've had eosiniphilic esophagitis recently, dry eyes, mouth and sinuses - little taste and smell. I found out it was all caused by a severe dairy allergy - I was eating cheese 4 to 5 times a day for hypoglycemia and my body freaked out with the EE on Nov 7 - my last day of cheese. Prior to that I had swollen glands in my neck, sinus headaches, aching eyes and eczema on my eyelids, neck and back. I went through dairy "withdrawals" - it's been 7 weeks now - but as of yesterday my saliva has returned - I can smell again and the tastebuds are starting to wake up. My GERD is now only IBD and I'm careful about what I eat - am taking acidophilus with FOS, a magnesium/calcium supplement, fish oil, buffered vitamin C & a good multivitamin. I used no drugs during it all - only the buffered vitamin C for reactions, ate small meals frequently and plenty of water. I did use the apple cider vinegar the first few weeks when the GERD was really bad. It helped a lot. Now it's like the dairy is "unmasking" all the symptoms I had and slowly my body is healing.

Posted by Gena on Dec 14 2008 17:28:54
I want to say thank you to all who posted here. Prilosec and other acid suppressing drugs may work but they have dangerous side effects and after 3 years my dad started developing bacterial pneumonia almost every other month, no kidding! Our pharmacist told us these drugs are only good for SHORT TERM and cause stomach cancer/pneumonia/depetion of B12, etc. I have been weaning my dad off his 20mg. Prilosec 2x day (we are supposed to WEAN SLOWLY off and go SLOW as the stomach needs to re-adjust apparently) but he is still getting bacterial pneumonia even though we are down to 1/3 capsule morning and night now!!!! I am using extra-virgin pine nut oil *the Chinese and Russians use this for all gastric problems (siberiantigernaturals.com has good info) and we use digestive enzymes/DGL licorice/calcium citrate at every meal (this helps as he doesn't need Tums any more but he still has some reflux) We have been able to let go of all other antacids which he used to take regularly as well so something is working here. I am going to try "oil of Oregeno" and also the black licorice someone here recommended. I am going to also try 5 teas. a day of the extra pine nut oil (instead of 3 teas.) as it does seem to be working but it takes time and then we'll see if we can eliminate the Prilosec entirely. Also, what I understand is that H.pylori is not really the cause although it is often blamed as some who are tested come up negative and still have gastric reflux. The understanding I have come to is it is caused by excessive free-radical damage and needs to be healed. I got this info from the siberian tiger naturals info site. God bless you all and keep trying to heal naturally as all drugs are meant for short term use otherwise you will experience side effects as they are not natural or healthy to the body.

Posted by Zinnia on Dec 11 2008 21:57:33
Hello everyone, I had same problem for over 3 months, sore throat,heartburn constantly,pain in the lower left stomach, pain in the middle of the breast feeling like food doesn't go down. I just discovered I was 5 weeks pregnant, I tried Zantac twice a day, helps a little any Idea how to cure it like gone forever, I also sleep like setting down all the time now. feeling like I have asthma or something my throat is hurt.I need help.

Posted by Rodney on Dec 10 2008 01:19:25
The last month or two, I've been awaken to acid taste in my mouth so bad, I couldn't stand it. Now the last two weeks, I haven't been able to taste much of anything, like its been scalded & the taste buds are damaged. Would this be from acid reflux?

Posted by Victoria on Dec 05 2008 17:43:26
Be tested for H pylori - insist on it!

Posted by Tina on Nov 30 2008 09:56:36
Hi, I got really sick after tetracycline and advils. Burning so badly in gut. 2 weeks of prevacid helped but then I became nauseated to everything and all meds, chemically sensitive. Now, I have burning all the time, a hot prickly pepper burn in nose, mouth, throat with irriation and stomach IF I drink any water. Does the water wash away protective saliva? I feel like I have 1000s of sores in mucous membranes. Even my skin burns. HELP?! Anyone know what is happening? I noticed Joan, Patrick Yew and Rosee had some similar complaints - please explain to me and how you are fixing this?! Thanks. Plus awful taste in mouth (bad) and white tongue all the time since all this started over 2.5 months ago. The burning feeling has escalated to this now, and causes me panic/anxiety too. I have it all the time, and much worse when digesting and when I drink which is only with meals now because the foods helps coat throat.

Posted by Linda on Nov 29 2008 11:11:14
My husband tried the extra virgin olive oil and he slept all night with out taking baking soda,tums, or the purple pill. YEAH!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you whoever recommended it!

Posted by babes on Nov 25 2008 14:11:03
hi,im been suffer my stomach acid for two year and half,omeprazole 20mg is the best for stomach acid.other wise stomach acid forever if will not be careful food to eat..i been try to drink milk never been work with me..all i know about milk is giving more acid stomach and also milk is good for the bone.code liver oil is good for the stomach acid none giving acid feeling good inside stomach..all need to do is away the fatty food ,will body need fatty food,i eat fatty food sometimes its help to get use its to stomach and acceptable.im skinny women sinse im taking codliver oil,calcium,vitamis,for my acid stomach its helping me,and make me feel better my self..so now i put on my weight.guys dont follow this if you not sure.......this is shareng for mylife

Posted by Roger on Nov 22 2008 12:35:07
Help for Acid Reflux 1-Gastrosoothe-chewable tabs-licorise calming (source naturals) 2-Regular Cabbage leaf or Oriental market has capsules. 3-American Health Chewable Super Papaya Enzyme Plus 4-Probiotics adds clean bacteria to help digestion 5-Apple Cider Vinegar-Mothers brand

Posted by Pat N P on Nov 15 2008 14:29:46
Some feed back apple cider vineger did not work for me ginger didn't work for me last night I had pizza and it killed me I tried every thing then I remembered and old Italian person tell me about extra virgin olive oil I took a table spoon of it in about 10 15 min. I felt pretty good no more reflux. I have also had trouble with my throat and I have been drinking A tea called Organic throat coat with a teaspoon of honey in it and now after two days my throat is feeling better too. it has Licorice root in it taste good too.

Posted by Dawn on Nov 12 2008 00:55:17
I suffer with Acid Reflux pretty badly. It doesn't flare up often, but when it does, the pain is SO intense! Added to which, I'm physically throwing up. After reading this, I now have a cold glass of milk in front of me. I'll let you all know if it works.

Posted by Pat N P on Nov 11 2008 12:31:44
I have acid reflux I am going to try all of them and let you know what I think. Thanks all.

Posted by sasmita on Nov 01 2008 06:38:51
my 10 year old daughter is suffering from acid reflux (nausea , flatulence , loss of appetite ) which disturb her sleep for last 6 months . She is on homeopathy treatment but with no result . we already tried allopathy treatment . Does anyone have this problem and if so do you have any idea's what I can do to help this? I have been to my doctor but she hasn't done much for me. Please help

Posted by ivo on Oct 27 2008 00:13:00
I have a terrible taste in my mouth and i think i may have acid reflux. What type of dr should i see? Anyone knows how to get rid of the taste? help

Posted by Andrea Berry on Oct 18 2008 14:21:15
I to have sjogrens syndrome and have exaxtly the same problems as you describe. I use a homeopathic remedy called Natrum Phos 6x. I suck 2 on my tongue after lunch and dinner. It seems to be working pretty well so far.

Posted by Greg on Oct 18 2008 12:29:46
Actually,everybody thinks if you have heartburn or Acid reflux you have too much acid so you take an acid reducer or "Tums". In actuality you don't have enough acid in your stomach and the items I just mention actually produce acid but in a bad way. Drink some ACV (apple cider vinegar) actually is better for you and does a better job. I drink it straight out of the bottle (the organic type). Although it will make you shutter when you drink it, it instantly takes care of the problem. You can also put 1 tablespoon of ACV and mix it in 8 oz. of water and drink it. Do this on a regular basis, even though you don't feel it, and you'll never have it again. I do and haven't had heartburn since.

Posted by Jill on Oct 17 2008 23:23:26
I'd be categorized as the world's biggest idiot. I drink nothing but Coke or Pepse all day, coffee in the morning, don't eat until dinner, smoke my brains out, and yet still I sit here googling :acid reflux" because I'm so addicted to the soda it's rediculous. And go figure... the purple pill crap didn't work for me either. I'm seriously a fool. ;) Best of luck to all in fixing this rediculous problem. Oh, and by the way, for after eating bloating/nausea, Activated Charcoal works every time. But for nasty acid that even makes you nauseaus, I can't find anything that'll work. Gotta change the diet, hands down. P.S. Oh, and I had pizza for dinner. ;)

Posted by ellie on Oct 07 2008 15:12:20
In Egypt, they cook the fenugreek in organic black molasses, with sesame, cherris seeds powder(which they call it Mehlab),and some olive oil, they eat it in breakfast, and for the mome who breast feed the baby, it is delecious.

Posted by Rose on Sep 15 2008 10:53:18
I have acid reflux and am taking Protonix, which sometimes does not help at all! I was told that drinking a papaya shake (fresh papaya, water, and a little sugar in the blender) is an awesome natural remedy.....Well, I was so nauseated from the SMELL of the papaya, that I could NOT force myself to drink it! I know people that swear this works. Just thought I would share this and hopefully it will help some of you.

Posted by Meghan on Sep 14 2008 05:18:37
I was on prescription acid reflux pills for a decade with what I considered at that time to be some success. That is until a doctor basically told me these drugs were killing me slowly over time. We ran tests and my body was deficient in every mineral - calcium, magnesium, etc. He took me off of them immediately. I was terrified because even on the highest prescription dose I still would get reflux, I couldn't imagine my life without it. I have to say something that many who read this will not want to hear - I know I didn't - you MUST change your eating habits. More veggies and fruits reduce or eliminate processed food and things like fast food and soda. In short eat better. In order to help my PH balance even more, I added Pellegrino as my main drink. It has a number of benefits - 1) it is alkaline and therefore helps to tip the OH in my system in a positive way, 2) helped to increase the minerals that were lacking in my body from years of reflux prescription use, 3) the bubbles will help to settle my stomach in the event that I eat something I shouldn't. Hopefully that helps! My heart goes out to all who suffer with this - I know how horrible it is first hand and I just want to say, there is hope!

Posted by Vivek on Sep 07 2008 16:05:03
Today i was in a party, had wine , chicken with bread . after thqt could not sleep coz of acid reflux, i took a glass of milk with two ice cubes, ad while searching for the infomation and reading this forum it was gone, so i think it works...thanks.................!

Posted by Linda Hall on Aug 26 2008 10:29:49
I received an email from a doctor several years ago that said never have heartburn or acid reflux again by eating black licorice every day and it works. My mother had reflux so bad the acid would burn her bronchial tubes and she could not afford the purple pill. When she started eating licorice, she went from using a box of alkaseltzer a month to none. I also have reflux and it works for me.

Posted by ralph santos on Aug 12 2008 00:11:39
since may of this yr i develped acid developing in my stomach too much.my throat is on fire after eating bland meals and i take generic prilosec.morning and nite.please help me.i think i am going to try the apple cidar vinegar.and my mouth is always dry.and all i cant drink anyjuice with citric acid.my throat burns as well as my stomach.

Posted by Matthew on Aug 04 2008 03:37:54
Spell check made me sound like a idiot But you guys get what i am saying. Prilosec WILL work if you Take IT right. Im sorry that my spell check messed up the first message so bad. PRILOSEC OTC WILL WORK BUY IT AND TAKE IT IN THE MORNING BEFORE YOU EAT ANYTHING!!!!!

Posted by Matthew on Aug 04 2008 03:33:25
I have Acid Reflux Really Really bad. I have it now that is why i am here. The only reason I have it today Is because I forgot to take my Prilosec OTC this morning when I got up. You see I went out to eat. Came home and then BOOM, I was on fire. So I just drank some Apple Cider vinegar I have to say it has kinda put out the fire... You see I don't find those PRILOSEC to work Great, Like eating tons of ketchup, Mexican food, italian food, what ever when ever and NO ACID REFLUX... UNLESS you DO NOT take them right. You have to take the pill, in the morning, Every morning (if you have acid reflux that is.) This will prevent your acid reflux and 42 pills are 24.95 at Walmart. Go get them, Take them Every Morning, and Avoid what I have put myself through by forgetting to take my Prilosec OTC this morning. I PROMISE IF YOU DO TAKE IT LIKE I JUST TOLD YOU YOU WILL NOT HAVE ACID REFLUX

Posted by Patric Yew on Jun 20 2008 18:47:07
I have been suffering from severed GERD which often experienced shortness of breath. Took Nexium 80mg a day include antacid and it seem doesn't work much. The acid have back up all the way to my nose which I almost pass out. I have to do several stretching exercise to overcome the breathing though it helped but it is very tiring and exhausting after that. Visited many enterology/specialist but it didn't help so much either. It is an torturing symstom that I have suffered for almost 3 years. Can someone help me on this issue.

Posted by Sandy on Jun 19 2008 21:46:52
I have found drinking very cold low fat milk seems to soothe my stomach. Also drinking cold apple juice seems to work. Hope that helps.

Posted by sara517 on Jun 18 2008 15:29:36
I have acid reflux and just found out I am 5 weeks pregnant so I can\\'t take meds...I was on Aciphex which was a miracle for me but just stopped taking it. I will try these remedies tonight to see if they work. If anyone has any other suggestions let me know. I am miserable and can\\'t sleep because its so bad.

Posted by anonymous on Jun 13 2008 15:47:59
i had acid reflux while i was pregnant and eating a apple or carrots helped alot

Posted by Chunta on Jun 09 2008 09:42:48
I have acid reflux pretty bad and today i have taken the apple-cider vinegar and has helped but if you know anything else please let me know.

Posted by rosee on Jun 08 2008 06:47:56
I often have an acid influx - the worse thing is that it sometimes influx to my heart, it causes heavy hard palputation that make you feel that you gonna past out anytime Please advise me - what should be done.

Posted by Crystal on May 24 2008 11:55:58
I have acid reflux and it is causing breathing difficulties for me that is making everyday life very uncomfortable. Does anyone have this problem and if so do you have any idea's what I can do to help this? I have been to my doctor but she hasn't done much for me. Please help.

Posted by Dee on Apr 24 2008 16:44:17
I take a teaspoon to a tablespoon of organic apple cider vinegar when I have acid reflux and it works well for me. It may sound counterintuitive, but try it.

Posted by sandra on Mar 17 2008 23:21:00
somebody please give me some kind of relief with this acid reflux text me back with some help please

Posted by JOAN on Mar 13 2008 14:20:39
I have sjogrens syndrome and possibly scleroderma, acid is giving me a burning throat so I am wondering if anyone else has these problems, I am also chemically sensitive and am very concerned about going to a doctor to get meds. I have to drink water constantly to keep my mouth moist and acid reflux and heartburn are common with these problems. I may try and vinegar, this has only been for 2 days now, but my throat feels like it is on fire, especially when drinking water. Any help will be appreciated. If any one writes back to me, please put topic-heartburn etc because I dont always open mail or I will look on this site again, thank you so much.........

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