A Natural Heartburn Cure By Strengthening the LES

For the thousands of people who experience heartburn on a daily basis without any relief, its time to try a natural remedy for acid reflux. Heartburn symptoms include pain in the chest, burning in the throat, difficulty swallowing, and in chronic cases a persistent cough, hoarseness, and sore throat. Acid reflux disease is a condition where acid and partially digested food flows back up from the stomach into the esophagus, causing symptoms of heartburn. Treatment for heartburn and acid reflux include over the counter products and prescription drugs that block the excretion of stomach acid therefore effectively reducing the amount of acid within the stomach. However, stomach acid is needed to properly digest food. By suppressing the amount of stomach acid produced you are only eliminating the possible symptoms of acid reflux but not curing the underlying problem that causes heartburn.

            What causes heartburn? There are several causes of acid reflux, including foods we eat and medications we take, but the most prevalent cause stems from a weakened lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The LES opens to allow food from the esophagus into the stomach and normally closes once it’s passed through. If the valve is weak, food and stomach acid can rise back up through the LES and burn the lining of your esophagus causing symptoms for acid reflux.

            Heartburn relief can be achieved through a natural cure for acid reflux. To cure acid reflux you must fix the problem by strengthening the lower esophageal sphincter. Unless the LES is weak because a genetic defect or damaged in some way, which would require surgery, home remedies for heartburn, will strengthen the LES and cure your acid reflux. Heartburn home remedies treat acid reflux without side effects from drugs, or invasive procedures.

            Foods, overeating, drugs, medications, and physical activates can weaken the LES, overtime causing heartburn. Foods that cause acid reflux include coffee, peppermint, spearmint, sugar, chocolate, onions, caffeinated beverages, soda, butter, mayonnaise, whole milk, and fried or greasy foods. Avoid acid reflux foods as much as possible. In addition, foods that are known to create allergic reactions should be eliminated from an acid reflux diet; this includes cow’s milk, wheat, white flour and dairy products. These foods when eaten relax the LES making it easier for food and stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus. The more you eat these foods the weaker the LES will get and the more often you will experience acid reflux. To strengthen the lower esophageal sphincter, choose the right diet for acid reflux and avoid acid reflux causing foods altogether. Foods that are good for an acid reflux diet include protein, poultry, chicken or seafood, fiber, couscous, greens, celery, fennel, parsley, ginger, papaya, pineapple, bananas, and melon.

            Overeating can also weaken the LES. When large amounts of food are in the stomach, it increases the stomach gas pressure. When the pressure builds up it forces the LES valve open. Avoid overeating or leaving large amounts of food in your stomach. By eating smaller meals throughout the day instead of eating 3 large meals you put less pressure on the LES. The lower esophageal sphincter stays strong so that it will stay closed ultimately curing heartburn.

            Certain prescription drugs and medications can also weaken the LES. When taken they relax the muscles around the LES valve allowing, it to open when it should normally be closed. Although it’s not advised to stop taking any medications without consulting your doctor, look into natural or alternative remedies, which can lessen the use of these drugs. The drugs, which weaken the LES, include NSAID’s, bronchodilators, channel blockers, beta-blockers, anti anxiety drugs, and nitroglycerine. The sooner you remove these drugs from your system, the sooner your LES can repair and become strong again.

            Specific physical activities also have been known to weaken the LES. To strengthen the LES watch your movements to get relief for your acid reflux. Bending at the waist, lifting heavy objects, straining during bowel movements, and coughing increase the pressure within the stomach.  Anytime there is increased stomach pressure it can cause the LES valve to open. Also, lying down after eating increases the likelihood of food flowing back into the esophagus putting pressure on the LES to open. Avoid eating right before bedtime; rather eat dinner 3 hours before bed.

            Home remedies for acid reflux correct problems, which weaken the LES. By resolving these problems, you reduce the pressure on the LES valve, keeping it strong to cure acid reflux. Applying one or all of these remedies for acid reflux will greatly reduce the frequency of your symptoms.