How to treat stomach acid at home

The body uses stomach acid to digest food. There are times when the amount of stomach acid becomes excessive, so it is likely to cause interference with the digestive system. In addition to changing your lifestyle, a variety of natural ingredients may be able to help relieve your stomach acid symptoms. Gastric acid can go up into the esophagus due to the valve between the esophagus and stomach not functioning properly. This condition is called GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). Symptoms caused by GERD include chest pain or heartburn, difficulty swallowing, the mouth feels sour / bitter because stomach acid rises to the esophagus, and the stomach feels uncomfortable. The exact cause of the weakening of the valve between the lower esophagus and stomach is not yet clearly known, but there are several things that can increase a person's risk of GERD, including:

• Certain medical conditions, such as esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus), gastritis (inflammation of the stomach wall), and gastroparesis (slowing gastric movements).
• Congenital abnormalities in the stomach, such as hiatal hernias and gastroschisis.
• Overweight or obese.
• H. pylori bacterial infection.
• Smoke
• Side effects of certain drugs, such as aspirin.
• Consumption of certain foods and drinks, such as fatty foods, chocolate, coffee, and alcohol in large quantities.

Change Lifestyle

Treating stomach acid can not be separated from efforts to improve lifestyle, including by:

• Avoid triggering foods and regulate eating portions

GERD can be triggered by foods that contain lots of fat. Fatty foods are digested longer by the body so that the stomach produces more stomach acid and risks rising into the esophagus. In addition, avoid coffee, chocolate, alcohol, and spicy food because of the risk of making the lower esophageal valve relax so that it makes it easier for stomach acid to rise into the esophagus. In addition, try to eat small portions but often and chew slowly.

• Avoid unhealthy habits

Smoking and lying down immediately after eating are some of the things that can cause stomach acid to rise into the esophagus. Therefore, it is important to avoid these habits in order to prevent the emergence of stomach acid disease. Give a gap of at least 3 hours to lie down after eating.

• Do not wear clothes that are tight in the abdomen

Avoid wearing tight clothing on the abdomen, because it can compress the stomach causing stomach contents to rise into the esophagus and vomiting. To be safer, use loose clothing.

• Do not make movements that may compress the stomach

Of course you still have to exercise to be always healthy. However, avoid making movements that might put pressure on the stomach, for example jumping or rocking. Sports time must also be considered, do not do it when just finished eating. Give a gap of about 2-4 hours after eating.

• Enough sleep

Gastric acid reflux can be triggered if your body produces stress hormones due to lack of sleep. Do not ignore this condition because it can cause complications, cause the disease to become chronic, and ultimately can reduce the quality and life expectancy. Improve your sleep patterns so that sleep can be fulfilled.

• Sleep with your head and chest higher

What must be done is to raise the position of the upper body so that it is higher than the lower body. The upper body that needs to be elevated is the waist up. If you only add a pillow to the back of your head, it's usually not effective.

Treating Gastric Acid with Natural Remedies

At home, you can also try making your own natural ingredients. Here are some examples of natural ingredients to treat stomach acid:

• Ginger

Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties that can naturally overcome heartburn and other digestive problems. The use of ginger to overcome the symptoms of GERD or gastric acid reflux is to process it as a warm drink. In addition to raw ginger, you can enjoy warm ginger drinks from powdered ginger products sold on the market.

• Licorice or liquorice

Licorice or also called liquorice, is believed to overcome problems in the digestive system, such as heartburn or heartburn. The chemicals contained in this plant are said to reduce swelling, and heal inflammation or injury in the body.

• Marshmallow

Marshmallow leaves and roots are commonly used to treat stomach ulcers, diarrhea, constipation, inflammation of the stomach lining, as well as pain and swelling of the mucous membranes lining the respiratory tract. Marshmallow contains chemicals that can relieve coughing and help heal wounds, by reducing inflammation and fighting certain microbes. Marshmallows also form a protective layer on the skin and the lining of the digestive tract.

• Chamomile tea

Chamomile tea has often been used to relieve stomach pain and heartburn, nausea, vomiting, and is traditionally believed to be able to overcome insomnia.

These herbs may be a natural and effective way to reduce the symptoms of GERD. However, you need to know that the efficacy and effectiveness of these herbs have not been supported by adequate research and clinical evidence. So, you are still advised to consult a doctor before using it. In addition to herbal ingredients, there are some foods that can help relieve symptoms of stomach acid. Among others are:

• Vegetables, such as broccoli, asparagus, green vegetables, beans, cauliflower, potatoes, and cucumbers.
• Oatmeal and whole wheat bread. The breakfast menu made from whole wheat is a source of fiber that can absorb stomach acid and relieve symptoms of reflux.
• Non-citrus fruits, such as melons, bananas, apples, and pears.
• Lean meats, such as chicken, turkey, fish, and low-fat seafood. Meat processing by grilling, baking or boiling.

Efforts to treat stomach acid can be done independently through lifestyle changes. Although there is no natural ingredient that can repair esophageal damage due to GERD, some types of natural ingredients may be able to help relieve symptoms. In addition, various medications to control stomach acid can be purchased at pharmacies without a doctor's prescription. However, if the symptoms do not improve, immediately see a doctor so that appropriate treatment can be given. If necessary, the doctor can perform GERD surgery to treat stomach acid.