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A good meal can make for a great evening, but acid reflux can take that joy away in an instant. If you’re prone to having heartburn and sleepless nights, you might think that it will be something that will never change in your life. Your solutions to this disorder are not only easy, they can be done right at home.
A significant factor in your acid reflux is what you eat daily. Greasy, spicy, and acidic foods are common culprits in creating your symptoms, if not immediately then later on at night before bed. By reducing the amount of these foods you eat daily and weekly, you will be less likely to have regurgitation or heartburn.
Let’s say that your acid reflux is more so due to genetics than diet. You can still reduce the likelihood of it occurring before napping or turning in for the night by modifying how you sleep. Sleeping on your stomach or your back can make acid reflux and gastrointestinal reflux disease (or GERD) symptoms more likely as your stomach and your esophagus are level. It is recommended that those with either of these conditions should sleep on their sides, preferably their left side as it keeps the stomach below the esophagus.
Your daily habits can also play a role in your acid reflux occurrence. Drinking alcoholic beverages can relax the lower esophageal sphincter, a contributing factor in acid reflux or GERD. Drinks with high levels of acidity can exacerbate your symptoms as well. Tobacco (or rather the nicotine in tobacco) can trigger your acid reflux too, so your best course of action would be to reduce or quit using these products altogether.
If you’ve adjusted your diet, sleeping, and habits, you may consider home remedies for acid reflux if it continues. Baking soda mixed with water has been recommended for occasional acid reflux; with an alkaline pH, the mixture can neutralize regurgitating stomach acid and reduce your symptoms. This remedy should not be used long-term with the supervision of your physician to avoid any unexpected side effects.
It’s important to note that acid reflux symptoms may not always be what you think, especially if you believe you have another condition like the cold or allergies. Dr. Jamie Scaglione, a CEENTA ENT physician from our Concord office, expands on this. “Sometimes a chronic cough, throat clearing, or a feeling of mucus in your throat can all be signs of reflux. When the remedies listed here do not provide enough relief from these symptoms, medical treatments are always an option. “
Acid reflux does not have to prevent you from enjoying your meals. CEENTA’s team of ENT specialists can evaluate the extent of your condition and recommend treatment methods best suited for your lifestyle. Schedule your consultation with Dr. Scaglione at our Concord office today with our online portal or through myCEENTAchart if you are an existing patient.
This blog is for informational purposes only. For specific medical questions, please consult your doctor. If you need an appointment with an allergist in one of our North or South Carolina locations, you can schedule an appointment online, through myCEENTAchart, or by calling 704-295-3000.
CEENTA ENT specialist Dr. Jamie Scaglione appeared on WSOC's Daily Two on March 16th, 2022 to discuss acid reflux and LPR treatment.
Do you struggle to stay asleep at night? It could be your acid reflux, which can be fixed with a few dietary and lifestyle changes.
Are you a fan of spicy food? Eating food with spicy ingredients can cause symptoms like watery eyes, tinnitus, runny nose, acid reflux, and a hoarse voice.
