If you’re having symptoms like a hoarse voice and a sore throat for some time, then they might be caused by an issue in a valve, namely, the lower esophageal sphincter. This muscle controls the passage lying between the stomach and oesophagus. When it doesn’t close fully, stomach acid and food flows back to your oesophagus. In medical terminology, this condition is called gastroesophageal reflux or acid reflux. One of the most common signs of this condition is heartburn. But there are various ways that you can resort to controlling it, like taking an apple cider vinegar tonic.
There are also other ways that you can treat your acid reflux. Mentioned below are some beneficial ones.
Eat Your Food Slowly
One of the significant causes for this condition is the excessive intake of fast food. But apart from that, eating your food at a breakneck pace can also increase your likelihood of experiencing acid reflux after meals. Researchers have demonstrated that those who gobble their food are much more prone to suffer from heartburn. When your stomach becomes full, there can be greater reflux into the oesophagus. So, try what is known as ‘grazing’ if you cannot reduce your eating speed. Grazing means consuming small meals frequently instead of three big meals.
Use Apple Cider Vinegar
Many people experience acid reflux because of too little stomach acid. Apple cider vinegar introduces more acid into the person’s digestive tract. The acid also guards against various kinds of bacteria and functions as an antimicrobial agent. Thus, you can consume a spoonful of apple cider vinegar tonic if you get acid reflux due to very minimal stomach acid. It is especially true for those people who do not take any medications and are otherwise very healthy.
Refrain from Eating Particular Foods
A decade ago, people who suffered from acid reflux were advised to eliminate most foods from their diet. However, that is not the case anymore. Still, there are several food items that people experiencing heartburn should avoid. Food items that are spicy, fatty foods, mint, garlic, tomatoes, chocolate, tea, alcohol, and coffee have been shown to trigger reflux. If you are in the habit of consuming these kinds of food items regularly, you will experience instant improvement in your acid reflux after you eliminate them from your diet. After the acid reflux comes under control, you can slowly add them back.
Shed Some Weight
People suffering from this condition are commonly prescribed to lose weight. It is because excess fat in the body enhances the risk of acid flowing back to your oesophagus from your stomach. It has been shown that excess body fat in the belly raises the pressure on the stomach region, which forces fluid into the oesophagus. This extra pressure affects the sphincter lying between the esophagus and the stomach, leading it to relax and enabling acidic contents into the esophagus. Apart from that, excessive weight hinders the ability of the body to quickly empty the stomach. Therefore, a weight loss of even 10 to 20 pounds can dramatically reduce the chances of acid reflux.
Try Sleeping on an Incline
It is another useful way to relieve your acid reflux symptoms. When you’re sleeping in an inclined position, ensure that your head is raised at least 6 inches from your feet. If this position disturbs your partner, use a foam wedge to support your upper body.
Acid reflux or heartburn can be a harrowing experience. You can use the techniques mentioned above to bring it under control. If you find that the problem persists, contact your healthcare provider.
