Acid reflux remedies should be willfully and patiently implemented to avoid unwanted symptoms and to avoid more serious health problems and complications brought by Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) — a more serious form of acid reflux. Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is also called acid reflux. Having occasional acid reflux is normal but persistent acid reflux that happens more than twice in a week is considered GERD. Acid reflux happens when stomach acid move up into the esophagus. There is a pain associated with this occurrence and it is called heartburn. Heartburn is not a heart disease, but it is described as a burning sensation or sharp pain that spreads up from the abdomen to the chest.

What are the Symptoms of Acid Reflux
Most heartburn sufferers experience similar heartburn symptoms, but the heartburn triggers is different from person to person.

The primary symptom of acid reflux is frequent heartburn, described as an uncomfortable burning sensation below the breastbone, mid-chest, or in the mid-abdomen. The pain is either sharp or a spasm. The pain can radiate to the neck or to the back of the throat. When it radiates to the back of the throat, a sour or salty fluid at the back of the mouth can be tasted. This is called regurgitation. On rare occasions, acid may come out from the throat forcefully as vomit.

Acid reflux symptoms commonly occur after meals, after bending over and when lying flat down either awake or asleep.

If acid reflux radiates to the throat, it may cause episodes of coughing or hoarseness.

Heartburn can also cause chronic cough, hoarseness, or sore throat.

Other symptoms experience by patients is a feeling that food is trapped at the back of the breastbone.

There are GERD symptoms that occur in the throat. This is called acid laryngitis which is a condition of having a dry cough, hoarseness, having a lump in the throat sensation, and the need to clear the throat frequently.

Patients may experience trouble swallowing. In severe cases, GERD sufferers may choke or food can be trapped in the esophagus causing intense chest pain. This is an indication of abnormalities around the esophagus.

If chronic heartburn is ignored, complications can occur. Chronic heartburn can cause esophagus to get irritated and inflamed which can lead to ulcers. Other complications include scarring and stricture. Avoid further health problems caused by GERD by just taking simple acid reflux remedies discussed below.

Acid Reflux Remedies

Despite acid reflux medical treatment, there are also natural acid reflux remedies. Lifestyle and dietary changes are among the natural ways. Certain foods can be used as one. Fiber-rich food like banana and papaya is good for digestion as it keeps digestive tract moving. It promotes regular bowel movement which is helpful of ridding the body of unwanted acid and toxin more quickly.

Apples are good in soothing the burn cause by the stomach acid. Apple combined with honey is powerful in neutralizing acid in the stomach. It is much effective to eat the apple with the skin on or make a delectable apple pie desert. This is a pleasing acid reflux remedies as you can have a delightful and curative desert at the same time.

Among the alternative acid reflux remedies available in your kitchen is ginger.
Ginger can soothe a burning belly or an upset stomach. Peel the skin of the ginger and chopped it in chunks. It’s even effective to smash the ginger so by the time you boil it; the ginger’s enzymes will be squeezed out more easily. Let it cool and drink for a heartburn relief.

Green teas and herbal teas are a good acid reflux remedies. Drink tea containing chamomile, catnip, sage, licorice root, ginger extract and cinnamon soothe the stomach lining and aid the digestion process.

There are natural fruit juices with stomach-cooling effect. Extract the juice of mango, papaya, guava, pear, cabbage or potatoes to get a healthy drink that can also soothe stomach and heartburn symptoms.

Research studies show that chewing a non-mint gum after meals neutralizes the acid in the esophagus. Chewing a gum promotes saliva production and swallowing rate. Therefore, the saliva washes the acid out of the esophagus and the saliva with bicarbonate helps in neutralizing the acid.

Milk has an alkaline effect and a good acid neutralizer. Drinking milk to relieve heartburn has been proven effective and is among the favorite acid reflux remedies by patients.

Eating complex carbohydrates food relaxes the esophageal sphincter which is a ring of muscle that prevents stomach contents or acid to move up into the esophagus. Incorporate complex carbohydrates food in your diet as it doesn’t raise the stomach acidity. Whole grains like oats, oat bran, brown rice, cornmeal, whole grain bread, pasta and macaroni that are made from whole grains are good sources of complex carbs. Fruits that are packed with complex carbs are prunes, grapefruits, pears, plums, oranges and apricots. Vegetables with complex carbs include broccoli, spinach, eggplant, potatoes, corn, carrots, cauliflower, cucumbers, celery, lettuce and asparagus. These healthy foods are not only good acid reflux remedies but also contain vitamins and minerals helpful for the body.

Avoid stress as it can trigger an increased in acid production and may cause the esophageal sphincter to not function properly. Avoid smoking as nicotine from cigarette triggers heartburn because it irritates the esophageal sphincter and stomach lining. Drinking coffee and alcohol also trigger heartburn.

Preventing heartburn triggers are among the acid reflux remedies, because if heartburn triggers are avoided or minimized, increased acid production will not take place, and there is no acid to reflux up the esophagus.

Although there are over-the-counter medicines and medical treatments for acid reflux disease, the natural acid reflux remedies is a more healthy approach towards overcoming this condition. The acid reflux remedies discussed here do not have unwanted side effects. Natural acid reflux remedies is both curative and promote good health as other beneficial vitamins and enzymes are found in the natural remedies mentioned above.