Methods 1: See a doctor.
1, see a doctor if necessary. You have changed your lifestyle as suggested above, but your symptoms have not improved? It's time to see a doctor. Long-term gastroesophageal reflux will damage the esophagus and cause other serious health problems. Long-term inflammation and repeated injuries can also increase the risk of esophageal cancer. If changing lifestyle can't solve the problem of stomach acid, please seek medical advice immediately.
2. Ask the doctor to recommend drugs. The treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease is classified according to the severity of symptoms. There are many over-the-counter drugs to treat it. However, you still have to consult a doctor first to make sure you get proper treatment. If he or she can give you a prescription, the insurance company may be able to help you pay for it. Take each medicine according to the indicated dosage and time to prevent serious side effects. Mild to moderate gastroesophageal reflux disease: If the symptoms appear 1 time per week or less, you can take antacids to neutralize stomach acid as needed. They can work in a few minutes, but only last 1 hour. Take cell and mucosa protectant (sucralfate or Weikuining) to protect esophagus and gastric mucosa and promote recovery. Take H2 receptor antagonist to reduce gastric acid secretion.
Severe or recurrent gastroesophageal reflux disease (2 or more episodes per week): Take proton pump inhibitors, such as omeprazole, lansoprazole, esomeprazole, pantoprazole, dexlansoprazole and raberprazole, to Some can buy over-the-counter medicines in pharmacies, and the standard measurement is to take 1 pill every day for 8 weeks. Side effects include bacterial infection, diarrhea, anemia, osteoporosis and interaction with other drugs.
3, discuss the endoscopic examination. In the upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, doctors use a camera attached to a long hose to examine the throat, esophagus and stomach. In the meantime, they may cut off the living tissue, check the symptoms of inflammation, whether there is Helicobacter pylori and rule out the possibility of cancer. Ask your doctor if your symptoms require endoscopic examination.
4. undergo surgery (if the doctor advises you to do so). In rare cases, if the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease cannot be cured by drugs, you may need surgery. One of the surgical methods is fundoplication, which wraps the upper part of the stomach around the bottom of the esophagus and then sews it up to reinforce the esophageal fissure. The second method is to tie a string of magnetic beads at the junction of esophagus and stomach, close the lower end of esophagus, but still allow it to expand when swallowing food, so that food can pass through. Young people who will suffer from the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease for life can also consider surgery.
Method 2: Use natural and alternative therapies.
1, try natural therapy. There is not much research on relieving gastric acid reflux with natural therapy. Although they are not fully recognized by medical or scientific circles, they may help to relieve symptoms: baking soda-adding 1/2 to 1 teaspoon baking soda to 1 glass of water may neutralize stomach acid.
Aloe vera-drinking aloe vera juice can relieve heartburn.
Ginger tea or chamomile tea-These teas are thought to relieve stress, relieve nausea and promote digestion.
Licorice and caraway-Many people think that these two herbs can relieve symptoms.
Glycyrrhizin (DGL) chewable tablets-This supplement is sold in most health food stores.
Frankincense gum (Arabic resin)-This supplement is sold in most health food stores.
2. Don't use false natural therapies. You may have heard that peppermint can relieve gastric acid reflux, but research shows that peppermint oil can actually aggravate symptoms. Another common idea is that milk can relieve acid reflux. It can indeed neutralize gastric acid temporarily, but in the long run, it will stimulate the stomach to secrete more gastric acid.
3. Promote saliva secretion. Studies have shown that increasing saliva secretion can neutralize stomach acid. Chewing gum and containing a cough candy can increase saliva. But make sure they contain no sugar, so as not to consume too many calories.
4. Consider acupuncture. Acupuncture looks terrible, but research shows that it can improve reflux and heartburn symptoms. However, at present, we can't understand the mechanism scientifically.
Method 3: Change your lifestyle.
1, ensure a balanced and healthy diet. A balanced diet generally consists of a large number of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat or skim dairy products, and also includes lean protein (low-fat), such as poultry meat, fish and beans. Eat less saturated and trans fats, cholesterol, sodium (salt) and added sugar. There are many sources on the Internet that teach you how to keep a balanced diet.
2. Achieve and maintain a healthy body mass index (BMI). In medicine, a healthy weight is defined by BMI. BMI predicts the appropriate weight according to height and gender. Normal BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9, below 18.5 is underweight, 25.0 to 29.9 is overweight, and above 30 is obese. Use BMI computer to find out your BMI.
Adjust diet and exercise to bring BMI back to the "normal" range.
3. Lose weight or maintain weight by counting calories. Checking the calories on the nutrition label is a simple and effective weight management method. Keep the daily calorie intake within the recommended range to meet dietary needs. Multiply your weight (pounds) by 10( 1 pound equals about 0.45 kg), which is the calories you need to consume every day. If your weight is 180 pounds, you should consume 1800 calories every day to keep your weight. Note that the required calories depend on gender, age and daily activity. Use a thermal computer to get more accurate figures.
The healthiest way to lose weight is to lose 1 pound (about 0.45 kg) per week. 1 lb of fat equals 3500 calories, so you have to subtract 500 calories from your daily intake (500 calories x 7 days/week = 3500 calories /7 days = 1 lb/week).
Use a calorie recording website or a mobile phone program to record your calorie intake.
4, don't eat big. Eat slowly, chew slowly and promote digestion. If you eat too much and don't chew carefully, your stomach will need more time warp food, which will cause you to eat too much. Eating fast will also make you swallow too much air, causing flatulence in your abdomen. It may take up to 20 minutes for the stomach to send a signal to the brain telling it that you are full. Therefore, people who eat fast tend to eat too much.
5, do not eat food that will aggravate the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Although scientific research has not found any food that can treat gastroesophageal reflux disease, you can avoid foods that aggravate symptoms: caffeinated drinks (coffee, tea, soda).
Chemicals similar to caffeine (chocolate, mint)
alcohol
Spicy food (Chili, curry, mustard sauce)
Acidic foods (citrus fruits, tomatoes, sauces and seasonings containing vinegar)
Lots of flatulence-causing foods (cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, beans, dairy products and high-fat foods).
Sugar or sugary food
6. Exercise regularly. The American Heart Association recommends taking at least five days a week for moderate exercise for at least 30 minutes each time. You can also do 25 minutes of aerobic exercise three days a week and moderate to high-intensity muscle exercise two days a week. Sounds beyond your ability? Then do your best, it's better than doing nothing! Do your best to exercise more. Even if it's just a walk, it's better than sitting on the sofa
The more calories you burn through exercise, the more calories you can take in! Many calorie recording programs can help you record how exercise affects your daily calorie intake.
7. Don't overwork or do strenuous exercise (especially after just eating). Depending on the amount and type of food, the stomach needs 3 to 5 hours to digest and empty the food. In order to avoid gastric acid reflux, wait until the food is almost digested before you start exercising, or reduce the amount of food you eat.
8. Don't lie down immediately after meals. Lying down at once will aggravate the symptoms of hyperacidity. Wait 2-3 hours after dinner before going to bed. Raising the bedside may also help to relieve the symptoms of hyperacidity at night. In addition, it is best not to drink water 2 hours before going to bed.
9. Quit bad habits that will aggravate symptoms. If you smoke or use other tobacco products, you should quit as soon as possible. Alcohol can also aggravate the symptoms of gastric acid reflux, so it is best to quit completely or drink as little as possible. Don't lie down immediately after eating. Can't do this? You might as well fold more pillows and raise your head when you sleep.
Tips Record the food you eat, the time it takes to finish a meal, and whether there are any symptoms related to gastric acid within 1 hour. A food diary can help you find out the cause of hyperacidity.
When heartburn attacks, it is recommended not to lie on your back, otherwise stomach acid will flow upward more easily.
Warning: Hypoacidity is as harmful to health as hyperacidity. If you take too many antacids, other drugs or treatments to reduce stomach acid, it may affect the digestive system and lead to malnutrition. Be sure to strictly follow the instructions for over-the-counter or prescription drugs.
Taking prescription antacids to reduce gastric acid may make the body lack vitamin B 12, which may lead to pernicious anemia. This is a very serious disease, which will lead to death if it is not treated. Our stomach originally needs a proper amount of gastric acid in order to properly digest food and absorb important nutrients. If prescription antacids completely cut off gastric acid secretion, the stomach will not function normally.
Some people's hyperacidity is caused by food, mood or stress changes or alcoholism, while others face persistent stomach acid problems. Chronic hyperacidity can cause serious problems, such as esophageal degeneration or ulcer. If you have been suffering from symptoms of hyperacidity, please see a doctor.