How to Get Relief From Gastric Reflux

Gastric reflux or acid reflux disease is a common digestive condition that often causes heartburn, abdominal pain, a sore throat, vomiting and coughing. Remedies are available. And gastric reflux is often manageable without medications. Several factors play a role in gastric reflux, and relieving symptoms is generally a manner of making simple changes.

Instructions

• 1

  Reduce weight. Lose weight to control gastric reflux and relieve symptoms. Abdominal fat can stimulate the back flow of acid into the esophagus. Include exercise in your routine--30 minutes three to five days a week--and decrease your calorie intake.

• 2

  Lift the head of your bed. Sleep with your head slightly raised to stop nocturnal reflux. Pillows are ineffective. Instead, place an object such as a wood block under the front bed post to lift the bed 6 inches.

• 3

  Eat several hours before bedtime. If you normally go to bed at 11 p.m., eat dinner no later than 8 or 9 p.m. Give your food time to digest before going to sleep.

• 4

  Recognize reflux triggers. Beverages and foods are typical gastric reflux triggers. Watch your diet and monitor the frequency of symptoms to identify your problem foods. Gastric reflux triggers include acidic foods and drinks, tomatoes, garlic, onions, caffeine, fatty foods and chocolate,

• 5

  Plan to stop smoking. Smoking cigarettes or using tobacco can also worsen or bring on gastric reflux. Limit the number of cigarettes you smoke in a day or give up the habit completely.

• 6

  Control reflux with medication. Relieve gastric reflux disease with antacid and acid neutralizers such as Tums and Maalox. Prescription drugs such as Prevacid and Protonix also provide quick relief for chronic reflux, and these medications help repair esophageal damage.