8 Natural Ways To Get Rid Of GERD

April 26, 2024 by Pranay David

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GERD is a condition that causes heartburn and a feeling of fullness in the chest. The feeling is caused by stomach acid going up the esophagus and into the throat. There are many different home remedies for GERD, and each person will respond to different remedies. Some people find that over-the-counter remedies work well for them, while others find that they need to use prescription medications.

Article Contains

8 Natural Ways To Get Rid Of GERD
Things to Avoid When You Have GERD
What Causes GERD
What are the Symptoms of GERD
When to See a Doctor

8 Natural Ways To Get Rid Of GERD

Here we have listed some of the home remedies that can help relieve GERD:

1. Elevate Your Pillow

It could be difficult to change one’s sleeping position, but there are a few techniques that make it possible. One option is to elevate their head using a wedge underneath the bed. This will help them avoid symptoms of GERD and acid reflux.

2. Maintain Your Body Weight

It’s important to maintain a healthy weight to reduce the risk of GERD. A recent study found that people who were overweight or obese were more than twice as likely to develop GERD compared to those who were of healthy weight.

According to a study, One of the ways you can reduce your risk of GERD is by keeping your weight in a healthy range. This means avoiding excessive weight gain and keeping your body composition healthy by including regular exercise and a healthy diet. [1]

3. Eat Small Meals

Large meals empty slowly from the stomach and put pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter, which can make symptoms worse. Eating smaller meals more often is recommended to help prevent these symptoms. This remedy lacks scientific evidence.

4. Sit Straight

To avoid heartburn, it is important to maintain an upright posture. This will help prevent stomach acid from flowing up the esophagus and cause heartburn.

Napping right after a meal can worsen GERD symptoms because it causes people to lie down for long periods of time. So try not to take naps right after a meal if you suffer from GERD.

This remedy lacks scientific evidence.

5. Quit Smoking

A study conducted in 2016 found that smoking cigarettes is linked to GERD. To come to this conclusion, the researchers examined the effects of quitting smoking on people who already suffer from it. They found that symptoms improved significantly after quitting. [2]

6. Ginger Intake

Ginger is a spice that has been used for centuries to treat stomach problems. It is also used as a natural remedy for nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

A study found that ginger can reduce GERD. The results showed that the participants who took ginger supplements had less symptoms of GERD than those who took the placebo.

The researchers concluded that ginger can be an effective treatment for GERD because it reduces inflammation in the esophagus and stomach lining. [3]

7. Avoid Triggering Foods and Drinks

Certain foods and beverages may trigger different symptoms which The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) has highlighted. These include:

Acidic foods
Fatty foods
Caffeine
Chocolates
Alcohol
Spicy foods

8. Breathing Exercises

Based on a study conducted on GERD, Breathing exercises are a great way to help relieve GERD. They can be done anywhere and anytime, and they don’t require any equipment.

The most common breathing exercise for GERD is the 4-7-8 technique. It’s easy to do and it can be done anywhere, anytime. The 4-7-8 technique is also known as the “relaxing breath.”

Breathe in through your nose for four seconds
Hold your breath for seven seconds
Exhale through your mouth for eight seconds
Repeat this cycle three times [4]

Things to Avoid When You Have GERD

When it comes to GERD, there are a few things to avoid in order to keep your stomach healthy. Some of these things include

Eating foods that are hard to digest,
Eating too much of anything,
Drinking alcohol,
Smoking.
Additionally, you should avoid eating spicy foods and eating late at night.

What Causes GERD?

GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, is a condition that occurs when stomach acid and food regurgitate up through the esophagus and into the throat. The exact cause of GERD is unknown, but it may be due to a combination of factors, including

Age
Pregnancy
Obesity
genetics.

What are the Symptoms of GERD?

GERD can cause a wide variety of symptoms, including heartburn, difficulty swallowing, and regurgitation. In some cases, GERD may lead to Barrett’s esophagus, a condition in which the lining of the esophagus becomes damaged. If left untreated, GERD can lead to esophageal

When to See a Doctor?

If home remedies don’t work when you have GERD, you may need to see a doctor. Many people find relief from these remedies, but others may need to see a doctor for more serious treatment such as medication to reduce the acidity of the stomach or surgery to remove the stomach’s contents.

In this article, we have discussed some of the most common GERD home remedies. We have also looked at how these remedies can be used to treat GERD symptoms. It is important to note that these remedies are not a substitute for medical treatment and should only be used as a last resort.