Author:
Monica Porter
Date Of Creation:
19 March 2021
Update Date:
1 July 2024
Content
Stomach acids help digest food, activate enzymes, and kill germs that enter the stomach. However, stomach acid also causes “heartburn,” a burning sensation or discomfort in the chest. Chronic heartburn, also known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) or "acid reflux disease," is not caused by "too much" acid, but by the acid in the wrong place (in the esophagus instead because of the stomach). Excess gastric acid secretion can cause stomach and duodenal wear (part of the small intestine), known as "Stomach Ulcers." This article will help you fix stomach acid problems caused by being in the wrong place or excess. If the problem persists, you should see your doctor.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Seeking medical help
Recognize the symptoms acid reflux. "Acid reflux" that causes burning or discomfort in the chest or throat is called "heartburn" (not related to the heart). If you experience other symptoms, you may have a more serious condition, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), also known as acid reflux. Here are some symptoms to look for:
- Pain gets worse when you lie down or bend over
- Food reflux into the mouth (note gastric juice inhalation)
- Sour in the mouth
- Hoarseness or sore throat
- Laryngitis
- Chronic dry cough, especially at night
- Asthma
- Feeling a "lump" in the throat
- Increased salivation
- Halitosis
- Ear hurt
Understand the risk factors that cause GERD. Acid reflux occurs when the oral gastric valve, called the esophageal sphincter (LES) does not close properly, causing stomach acid to back up into the esophagus. This causes a burning sensation known as "heartburn." If it happens more than twice a week, you have acid reflux, or GERD. Here are some common risk factors for acid reflux:- Eat a big meal
- Lie down right after eating
- Being overweight or obese
- Bend over after eating
- Snacks before going to bed
- Eat stimulant foods, such as citrus or chocolate
- Drink beverages such as alcohol or coffee
- Smoking
- Pregnant
- Taking NSAIDs (aspirin, ibuprofen, etc.)
- Lower bowel prolapse. This condition occurs when the stomach protrudes from the chest wall through the diaphragm hole. This disease requires surgical treatment.
Recognize the symptoms of a stomach ulcer. Most stomach ulcers are caused by bacteria Helicobacter pylori cause. The most common symptom of a stomach ulcer is a dull or burning pain in the abdomen. Pain may come and go, but often get worse at night or between meals. Other stomach ulcer symptoms include:- Flatulence
- Heartburn or a feeling of belching
- Anorexia
- Nausea or vomiting
- Lost weight
Know when to see your doctor. In addition to the above symptoms, stomach ulcers can cause the stomach and intestines to bleed, which can be dangerous to your health. If you notice any of the following symptoms, seek medical attention right away:- Dark red, bloody, or black stools
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness or fainting
- Feeling tired for unknown reasons
- Pale
- Vomiting like coffee grounds or bloody
- Stinging and severe stomach pain
Go to the doctor. If you experience frequent or persistent heartburn, you should see your doctor. If you have GERD and don't get treated, you could have serious illnesses, including esophagitis (inflammation of the esophageal lining), esophageal bleeding or ulcers, pre-cancerous Barrett's esophagus, and an increased risk of cancer. Stomach.
- If you have a stomach ulcer, you should get treatment. It can cause a number of other complications, such as internal bleeding, gastric perforation, and a stomach obstruction (blocked passage from the stomach to the small intestine).
- In some cases, ulcers are caused Helicobacter pylori can cause stomach cancer.
- Certain drugs, such as Fosamax (osteoporosis drugs), steroids, and immunosuppressants, can increase excess acid secretion. If you are taking these drugs, You should not stop smoking until consulting a doctor.
Ask your doctor to check Helicobacter pylori. Since the 1980s, doctors have discovered a so-called bacteria H. pylori causes most stomach ulcers. About 2/3 of the world's population carries H. pylori, But many people do not experience any symptoms. An estimated 30-67% of Americans have it H. pylori. In developing countries, this figure can reach 90%.
- You could be infected H. pylori from food, drinking water, or eating utensils. You can also become infected through contact with an infected person's saliva, feces, or body fluids.
- Because sanitary conditions in developing countries are different from those in the United States and some other countries, you can become infected H. pylori if traveling abroad, especially when drinking water or eating undercooked food. Poor hygiene when preparing and handling food are factors that cause contamination H. pylori.
- If infected H. pylori, you should bring your whole family or people you live with to see a doctor. Reinfection can occur until the bacteria have been eliminated in all around them.
- Your doctor may use invasive techniques for testing H. pylori, such as urea breath test, serology, and stool antigen test.
Talk to your pharmacist about antacids. If you can't see your doctor right away and want to relieve the symptoms of acid reflux, you can consult your pharmacist. They will give a medicine that is effective (but only temporarily). Your pharmacist can also advise you to choose an antacid that will not interact with other medications. Some popular drugs include:
- Zantac, 150 mg once a day
- Pepcid, 20 mg twice a day
- Lansoprazole, 30 mg once a day
- Antacids, 1-2 tablets every 4 hours
Method 2 of 4: Lifestyle adjustment
Talk to your doctor about stopping NSAIDs. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can cause stomach ulcers. NSAIDs reduce inflammation by blocking certain enzymes in the body. One of these enzymes also produces substances that protect the stomach lining from the effects of stomach acids. Using NSAIDs can interfere with this protector and cause ulcers.
- Common NSAIDs include aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), ketoprofen (Orudis KT), and nabumetone (Relafen). Concentrations of these drugs are available on prescription.
- If you take over-the-counter NSAIDs at a pharmacy, take no longer than 3 days for fever or 10 days for pain relief. If you need long-term pain relief, see your doctor for other options.
- NSAIDs can cause ulcer complications if taken for a long time (1-4% of users are at risk of ulcers). The risk increases the longer the NSAID is taken.
- If using NSAIDs, the elderly and infected people H. pylori There is also a high risk of serious health ulcer complications.
Reduce stress. It was previously thought that stress caused stomach ulcers. However, doctors no longer believe this; most ulcers are caused by infections H. pylori. Even so, stress can make an ulcer worse. Furthermore, pressure also increases gastric acid secretion in some people.
- Take time to relax. Take a bath with soap. Go shopping for fun. Develop a hobby. Participate in recreational activities to reduce stress.
- Try yoga or tai chi. These are two forms of practice that focus on deep breathing and meditation. They both have stress-relieving effects in clinical studies.
- Do exercise. Physical exercise can reduce stress and anxiety. Get at least 2.5 hours of moderate exercise time each week.
- Seek social support. We often feel stressed when faced with a lot of pressure and feel that no one is helping us. Chat with family or friends, join a support group, go to the temple, etc. any activity that makes you feel part of a support community.
- See a psychiatrist. Some people think that only when there is a serious problem should see a doctor, but this is not entirely true. If you feel stressed or anxious, you should see a counselor or doctor to find out the causes and methods of coping with your emotions.
Give up smoking. Tobacco is bad for your health, so you should stop. Although tobacco has not been shown to increase gastric acid secretion, it does may Acid discomfort and severe physical damage.
- Tobacco smoke increases the risk of GERD by acting on the esophageal sphincter (LES), the muscle located in the mouth of the stomach that keeps acid from flowing into the esophagus. Smokers are at a higher risk of developing frequent and chronic heartburn.
- Smoking weakens the immune system and increases the risk of infection H. pylorileading to stomach ulcers. Cigarette smoke also slows the healing of ulcers and makes it possible for them to return.
- Tobacco increases pepsin, enzymes secreted by the stomach that can damage the stomach lining if it becomes in excess. It also reduces factors that help restore stomach lining, including blood flow and mucus.
Maintain a healthy weight. Excess belly fat can put pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter, squeezing the ingredients and acids in the stomach into the esophagus and causing heartburn. This is why heartburn is a common side effect of pregnancy. If your BMI is greater than 29, you will need to lose weight to overcome heartburn.- Before starting to lose weight, you should consult your doctor.
- If you are severely overweight (BMI of 40 or higher), obesity surgery may be the solution to help you lose weight and improve your acid reflux symptoms. Consult with your doctor about this treatment.
Method 3 of 4: Eat and drink to reduce acidity
Drink a lot of water. Staying hydrated by hydration helps the acid fix its position in the stomach.- You can try "alkaline water" that works to reduce stomach acid. Your body needs acid to digest food, so you should consult your doctor before using alkaline water.
Track your alcohol consumption. If you have problems with stomach acid, you may need to limit or even stop drinking alcohol. The biggest cause of this is drinks that contain low amounts of ethanol (<5%), such as beer and wine. Fermented alcoholic drinks (beer, wine, champagne, golden wine, etc.) are considered powerful stimulants of stomach acid production. There are no studies to prove a link between alcohol and stomach ulcers, but patients with ulcers are also more likely to develop cirrhosis from alcoholism.
- Distilled alcoholic beverages, such as whiskey and gin, do not increase gastric acid secretion.
- Whatever you drink, drink it in moderation. The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism in the United States recommends drinking no more than four drinks a day and no more than 14 a week if you're a man. For women, drink no more than three drinks per day and maximum 7 drinks per week.
- A standard drink includes: 360 ml of regular beer (5% alcohol by volume, or ABV), 240-270 ml of malt or strong beer (7% ABV), 150 ml of plain alcohol (12% ABV 90-120 ml of spirits (17% ABV), 60-90 ml of fortified alcohol or liqueur (24% ABV), 45 ml of 80% proof alcohol or distilled alcohol (40% ABV).
Pay attention to your caffeine intake. Caffeine has the ability to stimulate secretion of stomach acids. Coffee in particular can cause heartburn due to the caffeine and other ingredients.- Even non-caffeinated beverages, such as tea, can cause heartburn. For example, peppermint herbs like peppermint and peppermint can lead to heartburn.
- If you can't stop using coffee, choose espresso, or roasted coffee. This is low in caffeine, and contains the ingredient N-methylpyridine, which prevents secretion of stomach acids.
Do not eat before bed or lying down. Eating two to three hours before lying down or sleeping can cause heartburn. It takes about two hours for the stomach to digest the food in the intestines. You need to stay upright for two to three hours after eating to avoid heartburn.- If heartburn becomes severe at night, raise the head of your bed about 10-15 centimeters, or use wedge-shaped pillows to keep the head higher than normal.
Eat less. Large meals can put pressure on the stomach, leading to acid reflux symptoms. You should eat small meals throughout the day to avoid stomach compressions.- Wear loose clothing to avoid excess pressure on the stomach.
Avoid fatty foods. High-fat foods reduce pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), allowing stomach acids to back up into the esophagus. Eat foods that are low in fat and eat plenty of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.
- High-fat foods take longer to digest into the small intestine, leading to a higher risk of acid reflux symptoms.
- Chocolate is not only high in fat, but also methylxanthine, which is considered to relax LES and cause heartburn in some people.
Avoid hot spicy foods. Hot spicy foods, such as chili peppers, raw onions, and garlic can relax LES, allowing stomach acids to back up into the esophagus. If you experience frequent acid reflux symptoms, avoid hot spicy foods.
Avoid fruits that are high in acids. Citrus and tomatoes are high in acids that can aggravate heartburn symptoms. If you suffer from frequent acid reflux symptoms, you should limit these fruits.
- Oranges, grapefruits, and orange juice are common triggers of heartburn symptoms.
- Tomato and tomato juices also contain many acids that cause heartburn.
- Pineapple juice is high in acid and can cause heartburn.
Drink milk. The calcium in milk may act as a temporary buffer for stomach acid. However, since it is also a high-fat drink, your stomach can secrete more acid over the long term, so choose low-fat dairy.
- Try drinking goat's milk or low-fat cow's milk. These two are for low fat content.
Chew gum. This helps the body to release saliva as a natural acid buffer. You can chew gum when you are about to have heartburn.
- Avoid mint candies. Peppermint, especially peppermint and mint, actually has the ability to cause heartburn.
Method 4 of 4: Apply natural methods
Use licorice. Most research has shown that licorice root (herbal and not candy) has a protective effect on the lining of the esophagus against the effects of stomach acids.
- Look for licorice de glycyrrhizin ted (DGL). The active ingredient glycyrrhizin can cause serious side effects.
- Take 250-500 mg of licorice per day to treat acid reflux. Chew the roots an hour or two before eating.
- You can make licorice tea by mixing 1-5 grams of dried licorice root in 8 ounces of water. Drink it three times a day.
- Licorice should not be taken if you have the following conditions: heart failure or heart attack, hormone-sensitive cancer, fluid retention, high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney or liver disease, low potassium, or dysfunction erectile function. Also, pregnant and lactating women should not take licorice.
Use ginger. In traditional Chinese medicine, ginger is used to treat digestive disorders. There is no scientific evidence to suggest that ginger has any beneficial effects on acid reflux symptoms, but ginger has other health benefits, such as overcoming nausea and upset stomach.
- Take ginger supplements in capsule form or with meals. Eating fresh ginger can reduce mild heartburn.
Use cranberries. Preliminary research shows that cranberries have the ability to inhibit the growth of bacteria H. pylori in the stomach. Although it's not certain that cranberries can prevent stomach-related ulcers H. pylori or not, but you can safely use and enjoy health benefits, such as urinary tract health.
- Drink 90 ml of pure cranberry juice (no "cocktails" or any instant juice) every day.
- You can also eat 45 grams of fresh or frozen cranberries.
- Cranberries are high in oxalate that causes kidney stones. If you are at high risk for kidney stones, talk to your doctor about whether cranberry is right for you.
Use baking soda. Baking soda, or sodium bicabonate, is a natural antacid that neutralizes stomach acid from the back of the esophagus. The pancreas functions to naturally produce sodium bicabonate to neutralize excess stomach acid.
- In the United States, Alka-Seltzer is a brand name of sodium bicabonat that is sold freely.
- Mix half a teaspoon in water and drink it every two hours to treat heartburn.
- If you are on a low sodium diet, you should not use sodium bicabonate because it contains sodium.
Advice
- Don't assume that your stomach is producing excess acid. Ask your doctor about other possible causes.
- Do not take NSAID pain relievers, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, for more than 10 days. If you still feel pain, you should see your doctor.
- In rare cases, tumors called gastrinomas can increase stomach acid levels. This is called Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome, a very rare case. Your doctor can diagnose it with blood tests and endoscopy.
Warning
- There is very little scientific research supporting herbal treatment for heartburn or acid reflux. Some herbal supplements can cause serious side effects or interactions, so talk with your doctor before taking any herbs.
