How to Treat Acid Reflux

Acid reflux, also known as the backward flow of stomach acid into the esophagus, throat, or mouth, is the primary symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This chronic condition can lead to severe consequences if left untreated. Fortunately, most acid reflux cases can be managed with medication and lifestyle changes. Surgery may also be an option. If you're experiencing GERD symptoms such as heartburn, stomach acid regurgitation, coughing, post-nasal drip, difficulty swallowing, or significant tooth enamel erosion, you can follow the steps below to address acid reflux.

Avoid foods that increase stomach acid production. If acid reflux occurs frequently, you may notice that certain foods are linked to the severity of the condition. You should reduce your intake of the following foods to help minimize reflux symptoms:

• Chocolate
• Spicy foods
• Garlic and onions
• Fried or greasy foods
• Acidic foods like tomatoes, oranges, lemons, etc.
• Mint and spicy mint

Having smaller, more frequent meals is a beneficial approach. By reducing portion sizes and eating several smaller meals throughout the day, your digestive system operates more effectively, preventing acid buildup in the stomach. Ensure that you stop eating once you're no longer hungry, and wait before eating more.

It’s important to avoid lying down immediately after eating. To support your digestive system through gravity, wait at least 3 hours before lying down after a meal. This allows your body to digest properly before rest.

Losing excess weight can significantly reduce acid reflux. Obesity is a major contributor to acid reflux, as extra weight puts pressure on the esophagus and causes acid to rise. A healthy diet and exercise regimen can address this issue without requiring additional treatments.

• Consult with a doctor or a nutritionist to get safe and effective weight loss advice.

It’s best to avoid alcohol and caffeine-laden drinks, as they can relax the lower esophageal sphincter, which controls the passage from the esophagus to the stomach, allowing acid to flow back. Particularly, refrain from consuming these substances before bedtime to alleviate GERD symptoms.

• Excessive alcohol intake can worsen GERD as it slows down digestion, and your intestines become less efficient.

Quitting smoking is crucial for your digestive health. Smoking hampers digestion and harms the esophageal lining. If you’re unable to quit smoking entirely, aim to reduce your consumption as much as possible.

• If you're struggling to quit, schedule a visit with a doctor. They can provide practical advice or prescribe medications to help you quit.

Wear loose clothing. Tight pants can compress your internal organs and slow down the digestion process. It is advisable to wear pants or skirts with an elastic waistband. If your office uniform is made of thick, body-hugging fabric, change into more comfortable clothes as soon as you get home.

Raise the head of your bed by 10-12 cm compared to the foot of the bed. Gravity is one of the factors that can contribute to GERD, especially if you are overweight, have a hiatal hernia, or have issues along the esophagus-to-stomach pathway. Raising your head higher than your feet prevents acid from refluxing.

• Use wooden blocks to elevate the entire head of the bed. Simply raising the head of the pillow won't be effective as it will cause your torso to fold at the waist.

Take over-the-counter medication. Antacids like Tums or Alka-Seltzer can relieve symptoms of occasional indigestion. If heartburn or acid reflux occurs frequently or is severe, you should consult a doctor.

• See a doctor if heartburn or indigestion lasts for more than two weeks.
• Antacids can interfere with the absorption of other medications. Take other medications at least one hour before or four hours after antacids. Discuss with your doctor how antacids may interact with other medications.

Take H2 blockers. Medications containing ranitidine (Zantac), cimetidine (Tagamet), and famotidine (Pepcid) block histamine receptors, which are responsible for signaling the stomach to produce acid.

• Take H2 blockers before meals to prevent acid reflux symptoms or after meals to treat heartburn.
• H2 blockers are available over the counter.

Use proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) to treat acid reflux. Medications like omeprazole (Prilosec, Nexium) can stop the stomach from producing acid.

• Using PPIs for two weeks not only reduces heartburn symptoms but also heals esophageal damage.
• Some PPIs are available over the counter, but others require a prescription.

Home remedies. If you prefer natural methods, you can try the following remedies that are believed to help alleviate heartburn:

• Drink a tablespoon of baking soda dissolved in water.
• Eat raw almonds to balance stomach pH and reduce acid reflux.
• Drink a few teaspoons of apple cider vinegar daily to support better digestion.
• Drink Roman chamomile tea.
• Consume aloe vera juice.

Consult your doctor about using herbal treatments for GERD. Herbs have long been used to reduce stomach acid production. Before modern medications like H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors, herbal remedies were the primary treatment for acid reflux. Herbs such as licorice, astragalus, sandalwood, bear root, thistle, round-leaf fig, fumaria parviflora (a type of herb), white ginseng, and mango (Mangifera indica) are effective in reducing stomach acid, healing stomach and esophageal ulcers, and addressing H. Pylori infections. Homeopathic remedies like Natrum Phos and Argentum Nit may also help with GERD. Studies show that Natrum Phos promotes tissue healing in damaged areas, while Argentum Nit neutralizes stomach acid to relieve heartburn faster.

• Always consult with your doctor before using herbal remedies. Some herbs may interact with other medications or cause unwanted side effects.
• Do not rely solely on herbal treatments for serious conditions like H. Pylori infections or gastric/esophageal ulcers. Seek medical advice if you suspect you have any of these conditions.

Tham khảo ý kiến bác sĩ khi bạn đã dùng thuốc và thay đổi một số thói quen sinh hoạt mà vẫn không thể trị ợ chua. Trong một số trường hợp các biện pháp chữa trị tại nhà, thay đổi thói quen sinh hoạt và dùng thuốc không kê toa vẫn không thể mang lại kết quả. Nếu các triệu chứng đó gây đau hay kéo dài quá hai tuần, bạn nên nhờ bác sĩ tư vấn.

Xét nghiệm để xác định nguyên nhân và loại trừ các căn bệnh khác. Loét dạ dày, ung thư và các căn bệnh khác cũng có thể làm trào ngược axít. Do đó bạn nên cho bác sĩ biết mình thực sự muốn tìm ra nguyên nhân đằng sau các triệu chứng này.

Tìm hiểu về khả năng phẫu thuật. Một số bệnh như bị thoát vị cơ hoành có thể khắc phục bằng phương pháp phẫu thuật. Nếu bạn bị ợ chua mãn tính thì nên cân nhắc lựa chọn này.

• Phẫu thuật để cấu trúc lại đường dẫn đầu vào dạ dày, từ đó ngăn axít trào ngược.
• Các phương pháp ít xâm phạm hơn được thực hiện bằng nội soi, như khâu thắt chặt cơ vòng, dùng bóng hơi nong để giảm nghẹt do mô sẹo, đốt loại bỏ các mô tổn thương.

• Bạn nên hiểu ợ chua khá phổ biến trong thời kỳ mang thai, do móc môn sản sinh nhiều và áp lực đè nặng lên hệ thống tiêu hóa. Bác sĩ chuyên khoa sản có thể gợi ý cách điều trị phù hợp cho bạn.
• Cho bác sĩ biết nếu bạn đang uống thuốc trị bệnh tim, chẳng hạn thuốc chặn kênh canxi hay thuốc an thần vì chúng có thể gây ra hay làm trầm trọng hơn các triệu chứng bệnh GERD.
• Nhờ bác sĩ tư vấn nếu bạn cần uống thuốc nhiều hơn hai tuần.