Do You Suffer From Gastroesophageal Reflux Without Knowing It? Find Out About Symptoms And Treatments

Whether occasional or regular, to avoid gastroesophageal reflux, it is very important to follow a balanced diet, eat at fixed times and avoid situations stressful.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is an increasingly common digestive disorder. Indeed, it is characterized by burns and discomfort, both in the stomach and in the esophagus. 

Symptoms almost always appear after eating or drinking.

You may have esophageal reflux and don’t know it. In this article, you will be able to learn more about the characteristics of this problem and the natural remedies that can fight it.

What does it mean to suffer from “gastroesophageal reflux disease”?

To understand what this digestive problem means, we will first analyze the words that make it up.

“Reflux” means “to come in”. When the body is healthy, the process of digestion is then carried out by the action of muscles and acids.

At this point, the valve at the entrance to the stomach closes so that fluids that irritate the esophagus do not come back where they came from.

On the contrary, when one suffers from reflux, the “door” is not secured and opens, allowing gastric juices to pass, and also a little food.

This causes an acidic taste in the mouth, as well as a burning sensation in the chest, as the food comes up with the fluids from the stomach.

If a person suffers from reflux several times a month or a week, then say that he suffers from gastroesophageal reflux (GERD in English, and GERD in French).

What causes GERD?

The causes of this problem that appears after eating are as follows:

• The hiatus hernia which puts pressure on the upper part of the stomach and which therefore weakens the esophageal sphincter (the valve), which facilitates the rise of gastric acids.
• The ingestion of certain drugs such as aspirins, anti-colinergics, beta-blockers for hypertension, bronchodilators or dopamine. Indeed, each of them has an action on the esophagus and on the stomach.
• Poor eating habits such as, for example, eating a lot and irregularly, consuming very pungent or irritating foods, eating a diet based on processed foods or also fast food.
• The pregnancy. Many women have this problem only during gestation, because the weight of the baby on the stomach makes the door to the esophagus easier to open.
  However, care must be taken as this dysfunction can continue after childbirth.
• Overweight. It is the same as for pregnant women. Food intake and belly fat put more pressure than normal and therefore force food to flow back up the esophagus.
• Tension and stress, as well as anxiety, pressure and nervousness. All these emotions weaken the fragile stomach and can throw it off balance.

The most common symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease are:

• The feeling of burning or pain in the breastbone (heartburn).
• Regurgitation (food comes back into the mouth).
• Difficulty swallowing.
• Non-cardiac chest pain (confused with myocardial infarction).
• Belching.
• The feeling of heaviness after eating.
• Nausea
• Hiccups.
• The discomforts in the throat (larynx and pharynx).
• Aphonia.
• The feeling of having a foreign body in the throat.
• Nocturnal cough
• Broncho-constriction
• Internal bleeding.
• Anemia.

How to treat gastroesophageal reflux naturally?

It is very important to adopt healthy eating habits. For this, you must stop consuming the following foods:

• Coffee
• Sodas
• Chocolate
• Tomato sauce
• The alcohol
• The vinegar
• Fat of animal origin (cold meats)
• Very strong condiments
• The mustard
• The pepper
• Chilli
• Milk and dairy products

You should also know that in order to reduce or prevent this disease it is necessary to:

• Avoid physical activity after eating (it is best to sit or take a short, light walk).
• Avoid lying down after eating.
• Do not bend down after eating.
• Avoid carrying heavy loads after lunch or dinner.
• Eat too fast.
• Chew each bite well.
• Don’t talk too much during meals.
• Eat food if you are nervous or disgusted.
• Drink sodas or sugary juices with meals.
• Avoid smoking.
• Early and light dinner.
• Do not wear a belt or clothing that is too tight on the stomach.
• Follow a diet to lose weight.
• Practice yoga or meditation.

Foods Allowed For People With Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

You already know the list of prohibited foods. Now let’s see what are the recommended foods for gastroesophageal reflux disease:

• Fresh salads
• Natural juices
• Vegetable milks (rice, oats, almonds or millet)
• Bee honey
• Dried fruits (crushed)
• herbal infusions (especially comfrey, rue or gentian root)
• Ginger
• The water
• The Basilic

Home remedies for GERD

In order to be able to smell better when you are suffering from reflux, do not hesitate to consume the following foods.

Apple cider vinegar

Mix a spoonful of apple cider vinegar (15 ml) in a glass of water (200 ml). Then drink this mixture before eating to calm the stomach and aid digestion.

You can also use this remedy after meals.

Baking soda

Baking soda is a natural anti-acid. It thus makes it possible to fight against stomach pains, gastritis and therefore reflux.

Dissolve a spoonful in a glass of water. Then drink this mixture as quickly as possible (before it starts to bubble).

Aloe vera juice

It is one of the most common natural remedies and remedies. In the case of reflux, aloe vera juice is also of great help.

Dilute the contents of one stalk (about 30 grams) in ½ glass of water (100 ml) and drink this mixture, when symptoms start to appear.